I'm a fan of the Challenger R/T. A combination of price, power, interior room, & trunk space has made it my favorite American V8 coupe...... barely! I am also a strong admirer of Mustang GT's handling, tossability, and interior. I'm also an admirer of Camaro SS' looks, value for the base price model.

However, there is no contest when it comes to Camaro's V6. I've posted many times that the V6 Camaro is THE best car value on the road.... I felt so strongly about it that my sister purchased a brand new 2011 Camaro V6 Manual. She loves the car (but the dealer hasn't earned any praises since she signed for the car... they seem to be screwups, but that's a diufferent story).

I've viewed the Challenger V6 as the forgettable, "why even bother" car of the bunch. The Challenger has taken a big step towards my changing my mind. Even though it still doesn't have a manual...yet.

Here's why.

First, It finally has a real engine:
The Challenger's new Pentastar V6 engine is the strongest tune of the engine: 305 horsepower. On par with Mustang, Camaro, and Genesis.

Second, Acceleration:
The new V6 Challenger with an automatic is about as quick as as a pre-2004 Mustang GT automatic. 60 mph is in the low half of 6 seconds and mid-90s at just over 14 and a half seconds only a tic behind the automatic Camaro V6...or the automatic Mustang V6 (and on par with my Thunderbird SCs).

Third, Handling:
Chrysler has revamped the LX suspension tuning and geometry as well as a new electric steering system that apparently actually works, especially on the Challenger across all models. It is no Mustang Track Pack, but it no longers handles like a land yaht either. So far it's being judged on par with Camaro's V6.

All this isn't to say that I still don't HIGHLY reccomend the manual V6 Camaro. But I'm no longer completely dismissing the V6 Challenger.

Now if they would only replace the dash and get a stick shift in the V6.

 

I had to read that line twice, Guy

 

The wheels on the v6 =

The HUGE sidewalls make them look like 14" wheels.

 

Chrysler has closed the gap.

I would have been much more impressed if they had leapfrogged the Camaro and Mustang V6 offerings.

As V6's go...Challenger is still the least desirable to me.

 

not seeing the appeal.

i thought you guys liked the small wheel, large rubber look for muscle cars?

 

I believe you can get the 20-inch wheels on the SE as an option now. They didn't fix the biggest problem though, which is the massive space between the tire and fender. Looks like it's jacked up for off-roading. I swapped out the stock springs in my R/T for a set of SRT8 springs. Looks much better. The factory photos don't seem to illustrate this oversight... ?

 

I like the way the wheels look, but the tires on them look all wrong for the car...

 

I dont get that you would rate the Camaro v6 over the Mustang. When the Camaro debuted I would have agreed about it being the bargin of the century. Now the ustang V6 wins in every catagory.

 

I love the look of the Challenger for sure. However, I would NEVER buy a V6 version of that vehicle. It just doesn't seem right to me. I don't even like the R/T much in all honesty. I would love to have an SRT-8 though. It just looks so badass and the new 392 is such a great performer. I would fall asleep in an R/T. Too bad that the SRT-8 version ate priced so high.

 

Anyone that buys a V6 Challenger should be tied to a tree and have honey poured on them! I can see someone wanting a V6 Camaro or Mustang but to put a V6 no matter how much horsepower and how great of mileage it can get in a Challenger just feels wrong and makes the world even more pathertic than it already was. I wonder how many of these sad creations actually have sold in past years. Hopefully not many! Donate some blood, sell a kidney, and get a V8 Challenger for God's sake.

 

I'm a fan of the pentastar as well. I'm waiting for it to show up in the wrangler. There's no way I'd drop $30K on the junky 3.8L. The penastar dropped 55lbs of the nose of the Challenger since it's that much lighter. It's 95lbs lighter than the 3.7L and probably that much lighter than the 3.8L. Maybe GM can learn from Chrysler, one V-6 for all products. Atleast look at Ford, they be down to 2 V-6's next year.

 

 

What? I think that looks way better than the ghetto trash giant wheel setup it normally has.

 

If you're buying a 1970 model...perhaps.

The new V6 Challenger may be worth a drive...but not a look IMO.

 

I kinda like the meaty tires. It's a nice departure from the norm.