Very few enthusiasts buy muscle cars for their safety credentials. However, it’s always nice to know that your vehicle has some sort of safety prowess in the event of an accident. The 2022 Dodge Challenger has two agencies scratching their heads, though. So for the 2022 Dodge Challenger, safety could be questionable.

What does the IIHS say about the Dodge Challenger? 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a staple in evaluating cars for safety. The IIHS typically grants titles like a “Top Safety Pick” to vehicles that perform well in every category of crash protection. In the case of the 2022 Dodge Challenger and safety, the IIHS didn’t award the muscle car a Top Safety Pick. 

Furthermore, the Challenger earned a couple of “acceptable” ratings in roof strength tests and seating evaluations. Unfortunately, that means that the muscle car is subpar at protecting occupants in the event of a rollover. The IIHS also tests vehicles with small and moderate overlap front crash testing, meaning how much of the front of the car directly impacts the obstacle. In tests with small overlap, most of the impact is in the front to one side, like the driver side. The Dodge Challenger scored only a “moderate” rating in the driver-side small overlap front crash test. 

What does the NHTSA say about the 2022 Challenger?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is another agency that judges vehicles on crashworthiness. Unlike the IIHS, the NHTSA uses a star system to grade test vehicles, with one star being the lowest and five being the highest. The Dodge Challenger scored much higher with the NHTSA star system, namely a five-star overall safety rating.  

Specifically, the Dodge muscle car still didn’t score top marks in front driver side-impact tests, but it did get five stars in passenger side testing. Also, the Challenger managed to get a five-star rating in every side impact test. 

Is the 2022 Dodge Challenger safe? 

The 2022 Dodge Challenger is safe enough, but it isn’t as safe as other sporty coupes. The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro scores higher crash protection ratings from the IIHS in nearly every category. While both cars have acceptable ratings for roof strength, the Camaro has top marks in front and side-impact testing. In fact, the Camaro scored good ratings overall in most segments, with child seat anchors and roof strength being outliers. 

Should you avoid the Dodge Challenger because safety scores aren’t perfect? 

If safety is your number one priority, the Dodge Challenger might not be for you. A muscle car is meant to be a big, fun, good time on wheels. Anyone who drives a Dodge Challenger should know that the car isn’t focused on safety; it is focused on style. Scroll down to the following article to read about the Dodge Charger’s safety scores.