Up Close: 2009 Dodge Challenger SE, R/T

If you're a fan of the Dodge Challenger's retro looks but are frightened by the SRT8's price tag and fuel-sucking ways, then your Challenger has arrived at the New York auto show. The 250-hp V-6 in the base SE might not have the burnout-ability of a Challenger SRT8, but it gets 18/25 mpg city/highway when teamed with a four-speed automatic transmission, and it still looks the part of its more powerful big brother.

There's also a new R/T, which offers a blend of performance and gas mileage with its 375-hp V-8 and 15/23 mpg rating with the manual transmission. R/Ts with the automatic transmission feature cylinder-deactivation technology to save gas and gain 1 mpg in the city.

Official pricing hasn't been announced, but Dodge says its lineup of Challengers will start in the low-$20,000 range. That's a big discount from the 2008 SRT8's near-$40,000 price tag, really upping the coupe's accessibility for buyers on a budget. More photos of the newly introduced trims are below.

Related:
2008 New York Auto Show: 2009 Dodge Challenger SE, R/T

Comments

[jonathan]

while everyone would love the V8.. a 19yo like myself needs the v6 for insurance reasons!

[Amuro Ray]

Jonathan...r u for real? Do u know anything 'bou insurance companies?

They aren't gonna judge u by the engine size; they are going to judge u by the car u r buying.

Challenger V6 - very expensive for a 19 year old.
Challenger V8 - SUPER expensive for a 19 year old.

Maybe u were too young then, but that's what killed most of the "sport coupe" like the Celica, Prelude, 240SX in the late 90's/early 2000s. Not the price of the car itself, but the insurance.

[Infosaur]

It's a shame the V6 comes with a FOUR speed slushbox.

Didn't the Eights have six speed autos already?

[crazyp]

New Challenger looks kickass from the exterior. I took one look in the interior and that was all for me. Interior is exactly like all the dodge / chrysler / jeep products. I hate that interior. Plain,cheap,and crap.

As long as its one of Chryslers better-quality transmissions...

[Mart]

It may seem like a minor issue, but I'm amazed that in 2008 there are companies that aren't using gas struts to support the hood.

If a Ford Focus (EU) or Mazda 3 can have them then why not this sports car? If they are skimping on things like that, what else have they been cheap with?

Exterior looks GREAT though. Interior - terrible.

[ermatthe]

Those gas struts are nice but can be a pain in the butt in the long run. The hood on my wife's Jeep won't stay up on its own because the struts have lost pressure over the past 8 years.
Not that big of a deal since I leave the mechanical stuff to the mechanics, but a nuisance when checking oil or something.
Just one of those things where the simplest solution (a prop-rod) is still the best solution in my opinion.

[Ken L.]

I personally think the RT looks better than the SRT8 and with the lifetime warranty on the RT, it's a better deal too.

[adam]

Dodge tried hard to give the SE some class with the fake chrome rings around the gauges and shifter box, but all the off gray and sharp edges makes me think of a Nitro. Maybe the interior of the 09 Ram is just a Diamond in the ruff.

[George]

Dual beam headlights, just like the Honda Fit.

[Mark]

I'm a baby boomer from Detroit and I like the car for it's sweet lines. Yes oh yes I would love to have a 6.1 V8 throbbing under the hood, but I dont have 40K to spend on a toy no matter how cool it is, Ok I'll settle for the 5.7 with the slick manual shifter in it, only, (guessing here) 30 to 35K is still a little too much coin for me to part with, Now to own that same styling on a platform that performs as well as say, a 300, or a Charger Touring edition for 20 to 25K, getting 18 to 28 miles to the gallon, now were talking practical affordable transportation with good looks to boot.

Dont get me wrong, if I could get an R/T with a manual for 25K I would kick the six banger to the curb in a heart beat, but I have a feeling the R/T will be about 10K too rich for my blood.

Anyway if I remember correctly the original base model in the 70's came with a 225 slant six that produced about 100 HP less then the new SE's V6, then I think the next step up was a 245 V8 that produced around 275 HP or something like that,so if you think of it that way the new base model really isnt so base after all.