2018 Dodge Challenger

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

Dodge Challenger
Pictured: Dodge Challenger SRT8 (2015) Hirschaid-20220709-RM-120221 (cropped). Photo: Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
2dr Coupe RWD Srt 392 / Hellcat, 2dr Coupe RWD Srt Demon, 2dr Coupe RWD V6, 2dr Coupe RWD V8
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl
Horsepower
305–707 hp
Transmission
8-speed automatic, 6-speed manual
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Midgrade Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 19 city / 30 hwy
Length
197.6 in
Curb weight
3,935–4,275 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Strong performanceUp to 707 hp, versus about 292 hp for similar 2018 models.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 15% below the 2018 midsize car average of 27.2 MPG.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 18 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 Dodge Challenger is a midsize car offered with 4 engines (3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 198 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,169 lb (2dr Coupe RWD Srt 392 / Hellcat).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (19 city / 30 highway), 15% worse than the 2018 midsize car average of 27.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2018

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Challenger — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Challenger →

Trims, performance & features

Engine305 hp3.6L 6-cyl
Engine485 hp6.4L 8-cyl
Engine375 hp5.7L 8-cyl
Engine707 hp6.2L 8-cyl
Transmission8-speed automatic · 6-speed manual
DriveRWD
Seating5 seats

Trims

SXTR/T 392R/TGTSRT HELLCAT

Safety & driver-assist features

Forward collision warningOptional
Blind-spot monitoringSome trims
Adaptive cruise controlOptional
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsSome trims
Keyless startStandard

Built in: Brampton, Ontario

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 Challenger configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe RWD Srt 392 / Hellcat197.6 in75.6 in57.1 in116.1 in63 / 63.8 in4,169 lb56/44
2dr Coupe RWD Srt Demon197.6 in78.7 in57.1 in116.1 in63 / 63.8 in4,275 lb58/42
2dr Coupe RWD V6197.6 in75.6 in57.1 in116.1 in63 / 63.8 in3,935 lb56/44
2dr Coupe RWD V8197.6 in75.6 in57.1 in116.1 in63 / 63.8 in4,083 lb56/44
GT 2dr Coupe AWD V6197.6 in75.6 in57.1 in116.1 in63 / 63.8 in4,116 lb56/44

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Challenger3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel Drive19 / 30 / 23-15%$2,900389
Challenger GT3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 8-spdAll-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21-23%$3,200415
Challenger5.7L 8-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 25 / 19-30%$4,000466
Challenger6.4L 8-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 25 / 18-34%$4,550486
Challenger5.7L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18-34%$4,550494
Challenger SRT6.4L 8-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 25 / 18-34%$4,550486
Challenger6.4L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 23 / 17-37%$4,850523
Challenger SRT6.4L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 23 / 17-37%$4,850523
Challenger SRT6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 22 / 16-41%$5,150546
Challenger SRT6.2L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 21 / 16-41%$5,150567
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27.2 MPG2018 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2018 Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★11.1%
2018 Dodge Challenger 2 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★11.1%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2018 Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD
Frontal crash test — 2018 Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2018 Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD
Side crash test — 2018 Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2018 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2018 Dodge Challenger (this car)23 MPG★★★★★3
2018 Ford Mustang25 MPG★★★★★3
2018 Chevrolet Impala25 MPG★★★★★1
2018 Toyota Camry52 MPG★★★★★8
2018 Chevrolet Camaro25 MPG★★★★★2
2018 Dodge Charger23 MPG★★★★★6
2018 Volkswagen Passat29 MPG★★★★★4

Recalls (3)

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood · Aug 9, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V524000 · 12,779 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Electrical System › Software · May 17, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V332000 · 4,815,661 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · May 1, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V280000 · 71 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Risk
If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Dodge Challenger is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

75Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
9Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
8Injuries reported
22,012 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other28
Electrical System27
Power Train7
Steering6
Air Bags5
Engine5
Service Brakes5
Exterior Lighting5
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/05: 122/06: 122/07: 122/08: 122/09: 122/12: 223/02: 123/03: 123/04: 123/10: 123/12: 124/01: 124/05: 124/06: 124/07: 224/08: 225/05: 125/06: 125/08: 125/09: 126/01: 126/04: 126/06: 126/09: 122/0522/0823/0223/1024/0524/0825/0826/04max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Dodge Challenger buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 27 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Power Train — 7 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Steering — 6 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 22,012 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Dodge Challenger. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Challenger years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2023 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★243
2022 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★29
2021 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★219
2020 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★120
2019 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★359
2017 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★349
2016 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★178
2015 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★5127
2014 Challenger21197.6 in★★★★★4135
2013 Challenger21197.6 inNot rated5159
2012 Challenger21197.6 inNot rated6195
2011 Challenger21197.6 inNot rated6149

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Dodge. How we calculate this →