The 2020 Dodge Challenger Is More Practical Than You Think
Sports cars haven’t always been the most practical option — in the past, you often needed to sacrifice power for the dependability of a daily driver. However, this is beginning to change as automakers start crafting sports cars with practicality in mind.
The 2020 Dodge Challenger recently made the list of most practical sports cars compiled by U.S. News, so if you’re on the hunt for something that you can drive every day without sacrificing any excitement, this might just be the vehicle for you.
What to expect from the 2020 Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger has five engine options from which to choose, so you can customize the amount of power you’ll get. The base is a V6 that gets 305 hp, but your choices go all the way up to a V8 that gets a whopping 797 hp.
Although the EPA hasn’t yet released fuel economy estimates for the 2020 Challenger, U.S. News predicts that the numbers won’t be great. If the 2020 model year is similar to the 2019, the base trim will likely get 19 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway.
The Challenger isn’t packed with standard features, but it does shine in the infotainment department. Dodge’s Uconnect 4 infotainment system features a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A rearview camera also comes standard.
A surprisingly spacious interior
Related: 5 of the Best Sports Cars That Can Be Driven Daily
If you prioritize roominess, you’ve likely shied away from sports cars in the past — and for good reason. These vehicles may be powerful but aren’t known for having much in the way of space. The Dodge Challenger is changing that.
According to U.S. News, the Challenger’s roomy cabin can comfortably seat five, even in the rear. In fact, this sports car beats every other vehicle in its class when it comes to rear legroom.
The impressive spaciousness continues in the trunk, which has 16.2 cubic feet of room. This is unusual for the class, which often sees vehicles with less than 10 cubic feet of trunk space.
In addition to its comfortable seating, the interior of the Challenger is crafted from premium materials. However, U.S. News does note that some of the Challenger’s rivals do have slightly more stylish — albeit more cramped — interiors.
Glowing reviews for the 2020 Dodge Challenger
U.S. News calls the Dodge Challenger “a formidable sports car,” and ranks it as No. 3 in its Sports Car category. The Challenger is particularly good when it comes to straight-line speed, and its plethora of engine options mean that you can customize it to suit your specific needs.
While reviewers note that the base engine is fine for everyday use, you might opt for one of the V8 options if you’re looking for something just a little sportier.
The Challenger’s spacious interior — especially compared to the cramped interiors of its competitors — is another area that earns it major points. If you frequently need to transport lots of passengers or cargo, you can go for this sports car with confidence that everyone will be comfortable.
Additionally, U.S. News notes the high quality of the infotainment system, which is intuitive and responsive. Since many sports cars only offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as options, the fact that they come standard on the Challenger is a big bonus.
However, it’s worth noting that the Challenger’s relatively large size means that it doesn’t handle quite as well as some of its competitors. Additionally, its base price is high for the class, coming in at around $29,000.
All in all, though, the Dodge Challenger offers a surprising amount of practicality. While it isn’t as agile as its rivals, it more than makes up for that with its spacious interior, powerful engine options, and fun driving experience.
