Written by Marco Carvajal
Photographs by Marco Carvajal
After more than 50 years of production, the 2020 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody is one of the most spectacular cars I’ve driven.
Riding this muscle car will cost you around $46K, but will probably get you more pleasure and attention than if you were driving a Ferrari. Everyone in the road, parking lots, or neighbors smile at this car, it turns heads.
The challenger is designed to get attention with its fantastic exterior design that reminds you of the coolest vintage muscle cars, but with an updated, fresh, new and modern touch.
Dodge Challenger a Muscle Car
Dodge entered the muscle car market with the Challenger about 50 years ago. The Challenger offered the best range of mechanical options in the industry, from the small but solid Slant Six of 225 cubic feet to the powerful HEMI 426 also known as the «Elephant engine.»
Today, about 50 years later, the Challenger continues to lead the market with the most powerful range of muscle cars, from the Challenger GT RWD with a Pentastar V-6 engine to the SRT Hellcat Redeye with a supercharged 797 horsepower.
The Challenger is a Muscle Car with Heritage Design. I enjoy driving it, but I wasn’t expecting to get so many likes from other drivers.
What is the key to the success of the exterior design of the Challenger? Perhaps it is a combination of a cool strong design, perfect lines, and a great vintage-looking hood. The front and back of the Challenger become a perfect silhouette that just makes people love it.
2020 Dodge Challenger Trim Models
The 2020 Challenger is available in 9 different models including cool wide-body versions. 2020 offers the same name models as the previous 2019 Challenger. Most models are only available as Rear-wheel drive, but some models are available as RWD and AWD.
I enjoy the wide range of models and features and the flexibility of the great price range.
- SXT
- GT
- R/T
- R/T Scat Pack
- R/T Scat Pack Widebody
- SRT Hellcat
- SRT Hellcat Widebody
- SRT Hellcat Redeye
- SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody
2020 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
The impressive 392 V8 SRT HEMI V8 Engine produces 485 horsepower and 485 Torque. The standard 6-speed manual transmission will take you to a higher speed in no time.
The muscle-like hood with cold air intake gives a strong personality to the 2020 Challenger. The design is complemented with the «Challenger» Script Grille Badge, 392 Bee Fender Badge and Widebody Fender Flares
From the available illuminated Air-Catcher Headlamps to the shape of its body, the Dodge Challenger expresses muscle and performance design.
The R/T Scat Pack includes great performance technology, like the patented Air-Catcher Headlamps and the cool dual air extractors.
Is not just the look, the Challenger is a powerful performance Muscle Car with a V8 Engine with 16 valves, horsepower in some trim models exceeding 700 HP, power, precision and control behind the wheel. You will feel the enjoyment in your ears, with the sound of its powerful engine.
The Challenger is breaking through the limits of performance with high speed and exceptional control.
Interior
The Dodge Challenger has space for 5 passengers with a luxury vintage comfortable Class-Exclusive seating. The 3 passengers in the second row don’t have much space, but for sure will enjoy the speed and fun of riding the Challenger. The 2 front seats have a comfortable space for its class. There is good cargo space in the trunk that balances the limited space in the second row.
Its epic size and strength is not only on the outside, it is cool and strong Inside. The 2020 Challenger fine crafted interior is loaded with good technology.
Vintage Challenger with Modern Technology
This muscle car is strong and smart, from autonomous parking to safety features for an optimized safe and easy ride with the latest state-of-the-art advanced technology. The new 2020 Dodge Challenger comes packed with safety features.
The Challenger’s 7-inch reconfigurable Driver Information Digital Cluster Display is intuitive and easy to follow. Keep control of the challenger and manage programmable features.
Optional 8.4 Smart Touchscreen with Navigation and 3-D Graphics. The available Uconnect 4C NAV comes with a Largest-in-Class 8.4-inch touchscreen featuring smart apps as well as Navigation with 3-D graphics.
2020 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody Highlights
- 392 V8 SRT HEMI V8 Engine
- 485 HP
- 485 LB-FT of Torque
- 6-Speed Manual TREMEC Transmission Standard
- Optional 8-Speed TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission
- Four-Piston Brembo Performance Brakes
- Uconnect 4C with 8.4-Inch Touchscreen Featuring SRT Performance
- Heated Cloth Performance Seats and Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- 20×9-Inch Black Noise Aluminum Wheels
- Widebody Package
- Apple CarPlay
- Google Android Auto
- Integrated Voice Command with Bluetooth
Pricing
Depending on the configuration and options the Challenger can be an expensive toy costing you more than $80K, or you can stay with a base model for around 30K.
The 2020 Challenger starts at $27,995 MSRP with the base SXT model and goes all the way to an MSRP of $78,295 for the SRT Hellcat Redeye widebody. The R/T Scat Pack Widebody I am test driving has a starting price around $46K.
- 2020 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody $45,995 MSRP
Lease
Instead of buying, you can lease the 2020 R/T Scat Pack Widebody for an approximate $506 per month during 48 months, with a downpayment of $4,749
One of the biggest advantages of leasing is that if you want to keep your challenger you still can buy it at the end of the lease. In some cases, the lease-ending buy-out-price, after deducting your previous lease payments, is going to be cheaper than what would have cost you to buy it new.
When leasing if you don’t want to keep it, then just return it at the end of the lease with zero hassle.
There are some limitations and disadvantages when leasing versus buying, like a limited amount of miles allowed, higher full coverage insurance required to lease.
Competition
Competitors like the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro have a not easy task when competing with the cool Challenger. Sales numbers for the Challenger are increasing compare to its competitors and it attracts a younger buyer than its competitors.
One of the reasons why people love this car so much is because of its American Heritage look. The Challenger looks like part of the American Dream. Driving other very expensive cars won’t get such a positive reaction as when you ride the 2020 Challenger.