Compare the2022 Ford Shelby GT500VS 2022 Dodge Challenger

The Ford Shelby GT500 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Challenger doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Shelby GT500 and the Challenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Shelby GT500 is safer than the Dodge Challenger:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Shelby GT500 is safer than the Dodge Challenger:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Shelby GT500, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 1.8% less likely to roll over than the Challenger, which received a four-star rating.

There are over 25 percent more Ford dealers than there are Dodge dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Shelby GT500’s warranty.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the Shelby GT500 has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

The Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 457 more horsepower (760 vs. 303) and 357 lbs.-ft. more torque (625 vs. 268) than the Challenger’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 388 more horsepower (760 vs. 372) and 225 lbs.-ft. more torque (625 vs. 400) than the Challenger R/T automatic’s standard 5.7 V8. The Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 385 more horsepower (760 vs. 375) and 215 lbs.-ft. more torque (625 vs. 410) than the Challenger R/T manual’s standard 5.7 V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Shelby GT500 is faster than the Dodge Challenger V6 (automatics tested):

The Shelby GT500 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Challenger doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Shelby GT500 higher (3 out of 10) than the Dodge Challenger (1 to 3). This means the Shelby GT500 produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Challenger every 15,000 miles.

The Shelby GT500 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Challenger doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the Shelby GT500’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Challenger:

The Shelby GT500’s brakes have 90% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Challenger R/T/GT (973.8 vs. 513 square inches), so the Shelby GT500 has more braking power available. The Shelby GT500’s brakes have 32% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Challenger Hellcat/Redeye (973.8 vs. 740 square inches).

The Shelby GT500’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Challenger SXT are solid, not vented.

The Shelby GT500 stops much shorter than the Challenger:

For better traction, the Shelby GT500 has larger tires than the Challenger (F:305/30R20 & R:315/30R20 vs. 235/55R18).

The Shelby GT500’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Challenger SXT’s standard 55 series tires. The Shelby GT500’s tires are lower profile than the Challenger Widebody’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Shelby GT500 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Challenger SXT.

The Shelby GT500 is 8 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the Shelby GT500 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Shelby GT500 has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Shelby GT500 is quieter than the Challenger SRT Hellcat (74 vs. 76 dB).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Shelby GT500 easier. The Shelby GT500’s trunk lift-over height is 30 inches, while the Challenger’s liftover is 33.2 inches.

The Shelby GT500’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Challenger’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Shelby GT500’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Challenger’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Shelby GT500 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Shelby GT500 will retain 63.08% of its original price after five years, while the Challenger only retains 51.48% to 58.92%.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its March 2020 issue and they ranked the Ford Shelby GT500 higher than the Dodge SRT Hellcat Redeye.