Compare the2023 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2023 Dodge Challenger

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Chevrolet Camaro 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 knee airbags.

Both the Camaro 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 collision warning systems, 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 Chevrolet Camaro is safer than the Dodge Challenger:

	Camaro	Challenger
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars

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

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Chevrolet Camaro Coupe is safer than the Challenger:

	Camaro	Challenger
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	1 cm	8 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Max Chest Compression	21 cm	26 cm
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	0%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Tibia index R/L	.55/.45	1.46/1.01
Tibia forces R/L	2.5/1.4 kN	4.8/2.4 kN

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 Chevrolet Camaro is safer than the Dodge Challenger:

	Camaro	Challenger
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	1 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	155 lbs.	174 lbs.
Hip Force	199 lbs.	505 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	285	307
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	16 inches

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the general design of front seat head restraints for their ability to protect front seat occupants from whiplash injuries. The IIHS also performs a dynamic test on those seats with “good” or “acceptable” geometry. In these ratings, the Camaro is safer than the Challenger:

	Camaro	Challenger
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Restraint Design	GOOD	GOOD
Distance from Back of Head	10 mm	61 mm
Distance Below Top of Head	14 mm	28 mm
Dynamic Test Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Seat Design	Pass	Fail
Neck Force Rating	Low	Low
Max Neck Shearing Force	0	83
Max Neck Tension	417	456

(Lower numerical results are better in all tests.)

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Camaro, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 2.8% less likely to roll over than the Challenger, which received a four-star rating.

The Chevrolet Camaro has a better fatality history. The Camaro was involved in fatal accidents at a rate 26% lower per vehicle registered than the Challenger, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Warranty

The Camaro’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 Camaro’s warranty.

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the Camaro LT1/SS 6.2 V8 is faster than the Challenger R/T Scat Pack 6.4 V8 (manual transmissions tested):

	Camaro	Challenger
Zero to 30 MPH	1.7 sec	1.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4 sec	4.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	9.1 sec	10.2 sec
Quarter Mile	12.3 sec	12.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	116 MPH	113 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Dodge Challenger (automatics tested):

	Camaro	Challenger R/T Scat Pack	Challenger SRT Hellcat
Zero to 60 MPH	3.5 sec	4.2 sec	3.7 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	5.2 sec	6.6 sec	5.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	7.4 sec	9.9 sec	7.7 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	1.4 sec	2.1 sec	1.4 sec
Quarter Mile	11.5 sec	12.6 sec	11.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	125 MPH	112.3 MPH	125.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Camaro gets better mileage than the Challenger:

			MPG
Camaro
RWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/28 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	16 city/26 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/29 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/26 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	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
		Widebody 6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/27 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Camaro uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The Challenger R/T manual requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Camaro 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.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Chevrolet Camaro, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Challenger.

Brakes and Stopping

The Camaro stops much shorter than the Challenger:

	Camaro	Challenger
70 to 0 MPH	137 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	91 feet	109 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Camaro has larger standard tires than the Challenger (245/50R18 vs. 235/55R18).

The Camaro’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Challenger SXT’s standard 55 series tires. The Camaro SS 1LE/ZL1’s tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Challenger Widebody’s 35 series tires.

The Camaro 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 available on the Camaro 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.

Chassis

The Chevrolet Camaro may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the Dodge Challenger.

The Camaro is 9.2 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the Camaro easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Ergonomics

The Camaro (except LS/LT1)’s optional easy entry system 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 Camaro (except LS/LT1) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, 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 Camaro’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 Camaro’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.

When the Camaro 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 Camaro’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 Camaro (except LS/LT1) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Challenger doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Chevrolet Camaro comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Dodge Challenger isn’t available as a convertible.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Camaro owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Camaro will cost $1705 less than the Challenger over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Camaro is less expensive to operate than the Challenger because typical repairs cost much less on the Camaro than the Challenger, including $91 less for a muffler, $132 less for front brake pads, $120 less for a fuel pump and $756 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Camaro will be $445 to $8505 less than for the Dodge Challenger.

Recommendations

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its March 2020 issue and they ranked the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe first. They ranked the Dodge SRT Hellcat Redeye third.

The Camaro was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 3 of the last 7 years. The Challenger has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the Camaro as their 2016 Car of the Year. The Challenger has never been chosen.