Compare the2023 Dodge ChallengerVS 2022 Ford Shelby GT500

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission and Drivetrain
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Challenger has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Challenger (except Redeye/Super Stock/Manual) offers an optional collision warning system, which detects an impending crash through forward mounted sensors and flashes a bright light and sounds a loud, distinctive tone to warn the driver to brake or maneuver immediately to avoid a collision. The system also pre-charges the brakes to begin deceleration more quickly. The Shelby GT500 doesn't offer a collision warning system.

The Challenger offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Challenger and the Shelby GT500 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, rear parking sensors 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 Dodge Challenger is safer than the Ford Shelby GT500:

	Challenger	Shelby GT500
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	73 lbs.	119 lbs.

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 Dodge Challenger is safer than the Ford Shelby GT500:

	Challenger	Shelby GT500
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	307	422
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	58 G’s
Hip Force	262 lbs.	741 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	176	513
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	565 lbs.	651 lbs.

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

Reliability

The Shelby GT500’s redline is at 7500 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Challenger has a 5800 to 6500 RPM redline.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

Engine

The Challenger SRT Demon 170’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 265 more horsepower (1025 vs. 760) and 320 lbs.-ft. more torque (945 vs. 625) than the Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Challenger gets better mileage than the Shelby GT500:

			MPG
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	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/30 hwy
		6.4 OHV V8	15 city/24 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	16 city/25 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/22 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/22 hwy
		Widebody 6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/27 hwy
Shelby GT500
	Auto	5.2 supercharged V8	12 city/18 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Challenger 5.7/6.4 V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Challenger has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Shelby GT500 (18.5 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission and Drivetrain

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Dodge Challenger, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Shelby GT500.

All wheel drive, available in the Challenger, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Ford Shelby GT500 is not available with all wheel drive.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Challenger SRT Super Stock’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Shelby GT500 (315/40R18 vs. 305/30R20).

The Challenger has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R/T Scat Pack/Hellcat/Super Stock) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Shelby GT500; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Challenger’s wheelbase is 8.9 inches longer than on the Shelby GT500 (116 inches vs. 107.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Challenger SXT/GT/R/T’s turning circle is 6.4 feet tighter than the Shelby GT500’s (37.4 feet vs. 43.8 feet). The Challenger Supercharged/Widebody’s turning circle is 5.4 feet tighter than the Shelby GT500 Track Package’s (38.7 feet vs. 44.1 feet).

Chassis

The Dodge Challenger may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Ford Shelby GT500.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Challenger has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Shelby GT500 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Challenger Scat Pack is quieter than the Shelby GT500:

	Challenger	Shelby GT500
At idle	55 dB	61 dB
Full-Throttle	85 dB	94 dB
70 MPH Cruising	72 dB	74 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Challenger a Compact car, while the Shelby GT500 is rated a Subcompact.

The Challenger has standard seating for 5 passengers; the Shelby GT500 can only carry 4.

The Challenger has 10.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Shelby GT500 (93.7 vs. 82.8).

The Challenger has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear headroom, 4.1 inches more rear legroom, .4 inches more rear hip room and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Shelby GT500.

Cargo Capacity

The Challenger has a much larger trunk than the Shelby GT500 (16.2 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

The Challenger’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Shelby GT500’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Challenger detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Challenger’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Shelby GT500.

On extremely cold winter days, the Challenger’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Challenger has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Challenger has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Challenger (except Redeye/Super Stock/Manual) offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.