In the mid-2000s, Dodge returned to the muscle car world with the debut of the Charger and Challenger. In 2019, these muscular cousins are more powerful than ever and offer buyers loads of powertrain and tech options. Which of these muscle cars is better for you, our Orange Park area car shoppers? Continue reading to find out.
Exterior
Though they are commonly misunderstood as platform-mates — meaning they share the same underpinnings — the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger area more like platform cousins. The Challenger rides on the shorter LA platform, whereas the Dodge Charger rides atop the longer LX platform shared with the Chrysler 300.
The distinction between the Challenger and Charger is the former is a coupe and the latter is a sedan. But their differences go well beyond just the number of doors. The Dodge Challenger rolls in boasting a more retro look with its quad rounded lights up front and split grille. Around back are equally throwback split taillights that hark back to the heyday of the classic Challenger.
The 2019 Dodge Charger is far less retro than the Challenger because… well… the Charger was always a coupe until its resurrection in 2006. This new four-door body still has a few touches from its muscle coupe days with its stamped hood and scalloped door panels, but it is nowhere near as nostalgic as the Challenger. It is more functional, though.
The 2019 Challenger and 2019 Charger have performance variants that turn up the heat, including the R/T, Scat Pack, and SRT Hellcat variants. For buyers looking for more show but not the go, the GT trims boast some of the appearance goodies of the R/T model and the V-6 engine. The Challenger has an extra twist with its Widebody package.
| Measurement | 2019 Dodge Challenger | 2019 Dodge Charger | Difference |
| Length | 197.5 to 197.9 inches | 198.4 to 200.8 inches | -0.9 to -2.9 inches |
| Width | 75.7 to 78.3 inches | 75 inches | +0.7 to +3.3 inches |
| Height | 57 to 57.5 inches | 58.2 to 58.5 inches | +1.2 to +1 inches |
| Wheelbase | 116.2 inches | 120.2 to 120.4 inches | -4 to -4.2 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 4.5 to 5.2 inches |
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| Curb weight | 3,858 to 4,492 pounds | 4,020 to 4,536 pounds | -162 to -44 pounds |
Advantage: 2019 Dodge Challenger
- Sportier coupe body
- Slick widebody package
- Retro looks
Advantage: 2019 Dodge Charger
- More functional four-door body
- Custom-looking Daytona model
Interior
Inside, the 2019 Charger and 2019 Challenger are similar in style, as both feature simple designs with heavy use of the color black with contrasting satin-silver highlights. Dive deeper into the details, and you can see their differing attitudes.
The 2019 Dodge Challenger boasts some extra swoopiness to its dash and instrument panel surround. You’ll also notice one key item you will never find in the Charger, and that’s a manual gear shifter. The Charger comes as an automatic only, so Dodge reserve this cog-swapping post of nostalgia for the Challenger.
Inside the 2019 Dodge Charger, it features the same relaxed, black ambiance of the Challenger, but its dashboard and accents are straighter. This makes the already roomier Charger interior feel airier. Contrasting the Challenger’s retro manual shifter, the 2019 Charger’s eight-cog automatic transmission is controlled via a T-style shifter that is equally throwback.
Both models boast SRT Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat models that add sport seats, more color, and other exclusive bits. The Charger goes one step further with its Daytona package that adds Carbonite accents, “Daytona” badges, Nappa and Alcantara seats, and more.
In roominess, the 2019 Challenger wins in front-seat headroom and legroom, but the Charger’s larger body and wheelbase give it tons more room in the rear — 7 more inches of legroom to be precise. On top of its extra legroom, the Charger also boasts 0.3 cubes more cargo room in its trunk.
| Measurement | 2019 Dodge Challenger | 2019 Dodge Charger | Difference |
| Front headroom | 39.3 inches | 36.9 to 38.6 inches | +1 to +2.4 inches |
| Front legroom | 42 inches | 41.8 inches | +0.2 inches |
| Front shoulder room | 58.5 inches | 59.5 inches | –1 inch |
| Front hip room | 55.3 inches | 56.2 inches | -0.9 inches |
| Rear headroom | 37.1 inches | 36.6 inches | +0.5 inches |
| Rear legroom | 33.1 inches | 40.1 inches | -7 inches |
| Rear shoulder room | 53.9 inches | 57.9 inches | -4 inches |
| Rear hip room | 47.8 inches | 56.1 inches | -8.3 inches |
| Cargo room | 16.2 cubic feet | 16.5 cubic feet | -0.3 cubic feet |
Advantage: 2019 Dodge Challenger
- Significantly more front-seat headroom
- A little more interior style
Advantage: 2019 Dodge Charger
- Four doors make rear-seat access easier
- Roomy back seat
- More cargo room
Performance
Rolling through the powertrain lineups, you’ll notice a clear pattern of output that shows the Challenger has a little more power from some of the engines it shares with the Charger. This shows Dodge deliberately makes the Challenger more powerful.
In their base models, the Challenger and Charger share a 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 305 horsepower in the Challenger and up to 300 ponies in the Charger. This is good for a 6.1-second sprint to 60 mph in the Challenger and a 6.4-second run in the Charger.
In their respective R/T trims, the Charger and Challenger share a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with 372 horses in the Challenger and 370 ponies in the Charger. This engine delivers a 5.1-second 0-to-60 sprint in both vehicles.
Want serious performance? The Charger and Challenger share a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 with 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. You can find this engine in the Challenger and Charger Scat Pack and the Charger Daytona 392. This engine helps launch the Challenger and Charger to 60 mph in 4.2 and 4.1 seconds, respectively.
The SRT Hellcat versions of the 2019 Challenger and 2019 Charger boast the same 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8. The Charger’s version of this engine cranks out 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, whereas the Challenger’s supercharged engine pumps out 717 horses and 656 pound-feet. Despite the extra power, the Challenger checks in 0.3 seconds slower to 60 mph than the Charger at 3.7 seconds.
The Challenger gets an extra wrinkle the Charger lacks, the SRT Hellcat Redeye. The 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye pushes the 6.2-liter engine to 797 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque, which helps deliver a 3.4-second 0-to-60 sprint.
| 2019 Dodge Challenger | 2019 Dodge Charger | Difference | |
| Engine | 3.6-liter V-6 | 3.6-liter V-6 |
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| Horsepower | 305 hp at 6,350 rpm | 292 to 300 hp at 6,350 rpm | +5 to +7 hp |
| Torque | 268 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm | 260 to 264 lb ft at 4,800 rpm | +4 to +8 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-spd automatic | 8-spd automatic |
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| Driveline | RWD (std.) / AWD (opt.) | RWD (std.) / AWD (opt.) |
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| 0-60 time | 6.1 seconds | 6.4 seconds | -0.3 seconds |
| ¼-mile time | 14.5 seconds | 14.9 seconds | -0.4 seconds |
| MPG City | 18 to 19 mpg | 18 to 19 mpg |
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| MPG Highway | 27 to 30 mpg | 27 to 30 mpg |
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| MPG Combined | 21 to 23 mpg | 21 to 23 mpg |
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| Optional engine | 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 (R/T) | 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 (R/T and Daytona) |
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| Horsepower | 372 hp at 5,200 rpm | 370 hp at 5,250 rpm | +2 hp |
| Torque | 400 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm | 395 lb-ft at 4,200 rpm | +5 lb-ft |
| Standard transmission | 6-spd manual | 8-spd automatic |
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| Optional transmission | 8-spd automatic |
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| Driveline | RWD | RWD |
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| 0-60 time | 5.1 seconds | 5.1 seconds |
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| ¼-mile time | 13.7 seconds | 13.8 seconds | +0.1 seconds |
| MPG City | 15 to 16 mpg | 16 mpg | –1 to +0 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 23 to 25 mpg | 25 mpg | -2 to +0 mpg |
| MPG Combined | 18 to 19 mpg | 21 mpg | -3 to –2 mpg |
| Optional engine | 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 (R/T Scat Pack) | 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 (Scat Pack and Daytona 392) |
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| Horsepower | 485 hp at 6,100 rpm | 485 hp at 6,100 rpm |
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| Torque | 475 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm | 475 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm |
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| Standard transmission | 6-spd manual | 8-spd automatic |
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| Optional transmission | 8-spd automatic |
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| Driveline | RWD | RWD |
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| 0-60 time | 4.2 seconds | 4.1 seconds | +0.1 seconds |
| ¼-mile time | 12.5 seconds | 12.5 |
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| MPG City | 14 to 15 mpg | 15 mpg | –1 to +0 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 23 to 24 mpg | 24 mpg | –1 to +0 mpg |
| MPG Combined | 17 to 18 mpg | 18 mpg | –1 to +0 mpg |
| Optional engine | 6.2-liter HEMI Supercharged V-8 (SRT Hellcat) | 6.2-liter HEMI Supercharged V-8 (SRT Hellcat) |
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| Horsepower | 717 hp at 6,000 rpm | 707 hp at 6,000 rpm | +10 hp |
| Torque | 656 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm | 650 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm | +6 lb-ft |
| Standard transmission | 6-spd manual | 8-spd automatic |
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| Optional transmission | 8-spd automatic |
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| Driveline | RWD | RWD |
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| 0-60 time | 3.7 seconds | 3.4 seconds | +0.3 seconds |
| ¼-mile time | 11.8 seconds | 11.4 seconds | +0.4 seconds |
| MPG City | 13 mpg | 13 mpg |
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| MPG Highway | 21 to 22 mpg | 22 mpg | –1 to +0 mpg |
| MPG Combined | 16 mpg | 16 mpg |
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| Optional engine | High-Output 6.2-liter HEMI Supercharged V-8 (SRT Hellcat Redeye) |
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| Horsepower | 797 hp at 6,300 rpm |
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| Torque | 707 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm |
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| Standard transmission | 6-spd manual |
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| Optional transmission | 8-spd automatic |
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| Driveline | RWD |
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| 0-60 time | 3.4 seconds |
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| ¼-mile time | 10.8 seconds |
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| MPG City | 13 mpg |
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| MPG Highway | 21 to 22 mpg |
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| MPG Combined | 16 mpg |
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Advantage: 2019 Dodge Challenger
- Standard manual transmission across the board
- More power in select trims
- Wild SRT Hellcat Redeye model
Advantage: 2019 Dodge Charger
- Quicker, despite less power
Pricing and Features
The 2019 Dodge Challenger comes in eight trim levels — SXT, SXT AWD, GT, GT AWD, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat, SRT Hellcat Redeye — and their starting prices range from $27,845 to $71,695.
The 2019 Dodge Charger has seven trim levels: SXT, SXT AWD, GT, GT AWD, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, and SRT Hellcat. Their starting prices range from $29,220 to $67,245.
2019 Dodge Challenger Key Features and Pricing by Trim
SXT: $27,845
- 3.6-liter V-6 engine
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Four-wheel disc brake
- Hill-start assist
- Sport Mode
- Heavy-duty cooling system
- Electric power steering
- Sport suspension
- 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels
- Stainless-steel exhaust with dual bright tips
- Body-color door handles with keyless entry sensors
- Polished-aluminum fuel-filler cap with “FUEL” lettering
- Satin-chrome split grille
- Bi-functional halogen projector headlights with LED halo surrounds
- Automatic headlights
- Split LED taillights with gloss-black surrounds
- Power, body-color mirrors with heat
- Body-color rear spoiler
- Power one-touch-down windows
- Two-speed variable-intermittent windshield wipers
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Power door locks
- Luxury front and rear floor mats
- Dodge Performance Pages
- LED interior lighting
- Steering-wheel-mounted controls
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Houndstooth sport cloth
- Six-way power driver’s seat
- 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat
- Tilt and telescoping steering wheel
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Uconnect 4 infotainment system
- 7-inch touchscreen
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Voice command
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Two USB ports
- Six-speaker AM/FM audio system\
- Keyless ignition
- Brake Assist
- Rearview camera
- Rain brake support
- Security system
SXT AWD: $30,895
- All SXT features, plus
- All-wheel drive
- Performance brake package
- Normal-duty suspension
- 19-inch painted aluminum wheels with dark pockets
GT: $30,395
- All SXT features, plus
- Performance brake package
- Remote ignition
- Performance steering
- Performance suspension
- Projector fog lights
- Performance hood with a functional hood scoop
- 20-inch Granite Crystal aluminum wheels
- Houndstooth performance cloth upholstery
- Performance “four-bump” leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters
- Universal garage door opener
- Rear parking sensors
GT AWD: $33,445
- All GT features, plus
- All-wheel drive
- Normal-duty suspension
- Normal-duty steering system
- 19-inch painted aluminum wheels with dark pockets
R/T: $34,295
- All GT features, plus
- 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine
- TREMEC six-speed manual transmission
- Anti-spin rear axle
- Active dual exhaust with bright rear tips
- Bright pedals
R/T Scat Pack: $39,995
- All R/T features, plus
- 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine
- Performance brake system
- Black brake calipers
- SRT configurable drive modes
- Severe Duty II engine cooling
- Launch assist
- Launch control
- Line lock
- High-performance suspension
- Satin-black fuel cap
- Split gloss-black grille
- Bi-functional HID headlights with integrated air catcher
- Aluminum hood with center air intake and dual heat extractors
- Satin-black rear spoiler
- 20-inch Black Noise wheels
- SRT performance pages
- Houndstooth performance cloth seating with Scat Pack logo
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Uconnect 4C infotainment system
- 8.4-inch touchscreen
- CD/DVD/MP3 player
- SiriusXM
- Bluetooth streaming audio
- Six-speaker Alpine audio system with 276-watt amplifier
SRT Hellcat: $60,695
- All R/T Scat Pack features. Plus
- 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 engine
- Slotted front 15.4-inch rotors
- Six-piston front Brembo calipers
- Four-piston rear Brembo calipers
- Red brake calipers
- Heavy-duty rear axle
- After-run engine chiller
- Dual black exhaust tips
- Intercooler
- Competition suspension
- Adaptive SRT-tuned Bilstein suspension
- Torque reserve
- 20-inch low-gloss-black performance wheels
- Illuminated headlights-integrated air catcher
- Aluminum hood with dual scoops
- Satin-black SRT rear spoiler
- Performance shift indicator
- Houndstooth performance cloth seating with a Hellcat logo
- SRT leather-wrapped steering wheel with a flat bottom
SRT Hellcat Redeye: $71,695
- All SRT Hellcat features, plus
- High-output 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8
- SRT Power Chiller
- Remote ignition
2019 Dodge Charger Key Features and Pricing by Trim
SXT: $29,220
- 3.6-liter V-6 engine
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes
- Conventional rear differential
- Standard-duty cooling system
- Dual exhaust with bright tips
- 17-inch fine-silver-painted wheels
- Remote-start engine
- Cruise control
- Electric power steering
- Four-wheel touring suspension
- Keyless ignition
- Body-color door handles
- Acoustic windshield and front-side glass
- Gloss-black grille with gloss-black crosshairs
- Bi-functional halogen projector lights with LED accents
- LED daytime running lights
- Body-color, power mirrors
- Power windows with front one-touch up/down
- Variable-intermittent windshield wipers
- Dual-zone manual climate control
- Power door locks
- Driver information display
- Front and rear floor mats
- Three 12-volt power outlets
- Black-cloth sport seats
- Eight-way power driver’s seat
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- Leather-wrapped shift knob
- Tilt and telescoping steering wheel
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Steering-wheel-mounted controls
- Six-speaker AM/FM audio system
- Uconnect 4 infotainment system
- 7-inch touchscreen
- Voice control
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Two USB ports
- Dual remote charging USB ports
- Brake assist
- Hill-start assist
- Rear parking sensors
- Rearview camera
- Rain Brake Support
- Ready Alert Braking
SXT AWD: $33,320
- All SXT features, plus
- All-wheel drive
- Performance four-wheel disc brakes
- Gloss-black fascia applique
- LED fog lights
- Heated mirrors
- Body-color rear spoiler
- 19-inch machine wheels
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Dodge performance pages
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters
- Performance steering wheel
- Premium audio-system speakers
- Uconnect 4C infotainment system
- CD/DVD/MP3 playback
- SiriusXM
- 8.4-inch touchscreen
GT: $31,495
- All SXT features, plus
- Performance braking
- Three-mode stability control
- Sport mode
- Performance suspension
- Performance grille
- Projector LED fog lights
- Aluminum performance hood with a functional hood scoop
- Body-color performance spoiler
- 20-inch Granite Crystal wheels
- Bright pedals
- Dodge Performance Pages
- Front and rear LED map lights
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Cloth performance seats
- Paddle shifters
- Performance steering wheel
- Universal garage door opener
- Uconnect 4C infotainment system
- CD/DVD/MP3 playback
- SiriusXM
- 8.4-inch touchscreen
R/T: $35,995
- All GT features, plus
- 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine
- Electronically tuned dual exhaust with integrated bright tips
Scat Pack: $39,995
- All R/T features, plus
- 6.4-liter HEMI -8 engine
- Fixed four-piston Brembo front calipers
- Black-painted calipers
- Anti-spin rear axle
- Severe Duty II engine cooling
- 19-inch Black Noise wheels
- Launch assist
- Launch control
- Line lock
- High-performance suspension
- Exclusive grille
- Matte-black rear spoiler
- SRT Performance Pages
- Front overhead LED lighting
- Memory for driver’s seat, mirrors, and radio presets
- Scat Pack Bee logo on front seats
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Security alarm
SRT Hellcat: $67,245
- All Scat Pack features, plus
- 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8
- After-run chiller
- Six-piston front brake calipers
- Red brake calipers
- Intercooler system
- Performance-tuned steering
- Competition suspension
- Adaptive damping
- Torque reserve
- Bi-functional HID headlights with LED accents
- Aluminum hood with a functional scoop and heat extractors
- Body-color performance spoiler
- 20-inch low-gloss-black wheels
- LED ambient lighting
- Ventilated Laguna leather seating with Hellcat logo
- Heated rear seats
- Premium-leather-wrapped shift knob
- Premium-leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel
- Blind-spot monitoring
Who Should Buy the 2019 Dodge Challenger?
Want an awesome-performing car that looks as great as it drives and has a retro feel to it? The 2019 Dodge Challenger is the rig for you. With its classic coupe styling, it is a blast from the past you won’t want to miss.
Who Should Buy the 2019 Dodge Charger?
Got kids or often haul people in the back seat? Save the complaints of cramming people into the Challenger’s tiny rear seat and let them relax in comfort in the 2019 Dodge Charger’s spacious rear thrones.
Whether you have a family or fly solo, Garber Automall in Orange Park has the muscle car for you in the 2019 Dodge Charger and the 2019 Dodge Challenger. Head down to our Jacksonville area showroom today to take one of these two performance rigs for a drive. Can’t make it to our Fleming Island Dodge dealership today? Stop by our online inventory page to see what in-stock 2019 Challenger and Charger models we have. Choose the model you want, then swing down to Orange Park for a test drive.
