Both the Corvette and the Challenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.
Compare the2023 Chevrolet CorvetteVS 2022 Dodge Challenger
Safety
Warranty
The Corvette’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Challenger’s (6 vs. 5 years).
There are over 20 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are Dodge dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Corvette’s warranty.
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette first among compact premium sporty cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Challenger isn’t in the top three in its category.
Engine
The Corvette has more powerful engines than the Challenger:
|
Horsepower |
Torque |
Corvette 6.2 V8 |
490 HP |
465 lbs.-ft. |
Corvette Z51 6.2 V8 |
495 HP |
470 lbs.-ft. |
Corvette Z06 5.5 DOHC V8 |
670 HP |
460 lbs.-ft. |
Challenger 3.6 DOHC V6 |
303 HP |
268 lbs.-ft. |
Challenger R/T automatic 5.7 V8 |
372 HP |
400 lbs.-ft. |
Challenger R/T manual 5.7 V8 |
375 HP |
410 lbs.-ft. |
Challenger R/T Scat Pack 6.4 V8 |
485 HP |
475 lbs.-ft. |
As tested in Motor Trend the Corvette Z51 6.2 V8 is faster than the Dodge Challenger (automatics tested):
|
Corvette |
Challenger R/T Scat Pack |
Challenger SRT Hellcat |
Zero to 30 MPH |
1 sec |
1.6 sec |
1.8 sec |
Zero to 60 MPH |
2.8 sec |
4.2 sec |
3.7 sec |
Zero to 80 MPH |
4.6 sec |
6.6 sec |
5.5 sec |
Zero to 100 MPH |
7.1 sec |
9.9 sec |
7.7 sec |
Passing 45 to 65 MPH |
1.4 sec |
2.1 sec |
1.4 sec |
Quarter Mile |
11.1 sec |
12.6 sec |
11.7 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
123.2 MPH |
112.3 MPH |
125.4 MPH |
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the Corvette gets better mileage than the Challenger:
|
|
|
MPG |
Corvette |
|||
RWD |
Auto |
6.2 OHV V8 |
16 city/24 hwy |
|
|
Z51 6.2 OHV V8 |
16 city/24 hwy |
Challenger |
|||
RWD |
Manual |
6.4 OHV V8 |
14 city/23 hwy |
|
|
5.7 OHV V8 |
15 city/23 hwy |
|
|
6.2 supercharged V8 |
13 city/21 hwy |
|
Auto |
6.4 OHV V8 |
15 city/24 hwy |
|
|
6.2 supercharged V8 |
13 city/22 hwy |
|
|
6.2 supercharged V8 |
13 city/21 hwy |
|
|
Widebody 6.2 supercharged V8 |
13 city/21 hwy |
The Corvette 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.
Environmental Friendliness
In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Corvette higher (3 out of 10) than the Dodge Challenger (1 to 3). This means the Corvette produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Challenger every 15,000 miles.
Transmission
The Corvette 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.
Brakes and Stopping
The Corvette’s brakes have 25% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Challenger R/T/GT (640 vs. 513 square inches), so the Corvette has more braking power available.
The Corvette’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 Corvette Z06 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Challenger doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.
The Corvette stops much shorter than the Challenger:
|
Corvette |
Challenger |
|
70 to 0 MPH |
149 feet |
176 feet |
Car and Driver |
60 to 0 MPH |
97 feet |
109 feet |
Motor Trend |
Tires and Wheels
For better traction, the Corvette has larger standard tires than the Challenger (F:245/35R19 & R:305/30R20 vs. 235/55R18).
The Corvette’s standard 245/35R19 front and 305/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Challenger SXT’s standard 55 series tires. The Corvette Z06’s 275/30R20 front and 345/25R21 rear tires have a lower 30 series front and 25 series rear profile than the Challenger Widebody’s 35 series tires.
For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corvette has standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Challenger SXT. The Corvette Z06’s 21-inch rear wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Challenger.
The Corvette has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Challenger doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.
Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the Corvette can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Challenger doesn’t offer run-flat tires.
Suspension and Handling
For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Corvette is 1.3 inches wider in the front than the average track on the Challenger.
The Corvette Coupe handles at 1.03 G’s, while the Challenger SXT pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.
The Corvette Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Challenger Scat Pack (23.3 seconds @ .9 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .81 average G’s).
For better maneuverability, the Corvette with Magnetic Ride Control’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Challenger SXT/R/T’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Corvette’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Challenger Supercharged/Widebody’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).
Chassis
The Chevrolet Corvette may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 850 pounds less than the Dodge Challenger.
The Corvette is 1 foot, 3.2 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the Corvette easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
The Corvette is 8.6 inches shorter in height than the Challenger, making the Corvette much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).
The design of the Chevrolet Corvette amounts to more than styling. The Corvette has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the Challenger (.337 to .398). A more efficient exterior helps the Corvette go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the Corvette get better fuel mileage.
For excellent aerodynamics, the Corvette has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.
The Corvette’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The Challenger doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.
The Corvette uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Challenger doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.
As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Corvette Coupe is quieter than the Challenger SRT Hellcat:
|
Corvette |
Challenger |
At idle |
47 dB |
59 dB |
70 MPH Cruising |
74 dB |
76 dB |
Servicing Ease
The Corvette has a standard under hood light to help in making nighttime maintenance checks, adding fluids, etc. The Challenger doesn’t offer an under hood light.
Ergonomics
Unlike the driver-only memory system optional in the Challenger, the Corvette offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.
The Corvette’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Challenger doesn’t offer an easy entry system.
The Corvette offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, turn signal and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Challenger doesn’t offer a heads-up display.
The Corvette’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 Corvette’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 Corvette has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Challenger doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.
When the Corvette with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Challenger’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.
The Corvette’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Challenger has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.
To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Corvette offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Challenger doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.
Model Availability
The Chevrolet Corvette comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Dodge Challenger isn’t available as a convertible.
Economic Advantages
Insurance will cost less for the Corvette owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Corvette will cost $495 to $14085 less than the Challenger over a five-year period.
According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Corvette is less expensive to operate than the Challenger because typical repairs cost less on the Corvette than the Challenger, including $93 less for front brake pads, $95 less for a fuel pump, $31 less for front struts and $62 less for a power steering pump.
Recommendations
The Corvette was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 18 of the last 25 years. The Challenger has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.
A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Corvette as the 2020 North American Car of the Year. The Challenger has never been chosen.