Both the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro and 2022 Dodge Challenger offer sporty looks and powerful engines, at prices many thousands below some equally powerful European competitors. Let’s take a closer look at these two modern-day muscle cars.
2022 Chevrolet Camaro
2022 Chevrolet Camaro Starting Price: $25,000 | Price yours or View listings near you
Above Average: Excellent handling; low price; choice of strong engines; coupe and convertible body styles.
Below Average: Narrow trunk opening; cargo space; rear seat space; limited driver aids; poor rear visibility.
Consensus: A performance car at a great value, the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro is quick and wonderfully fun to drive at any trim level. The backseat is very cramped in either the convertible or coupe body style, and the trunk is also very small.
2022 Dodge Challenger
2022 Dodge Challenger Starting Price: $30,000 (est.) | Price yours or View listings near you
Above Average: Classic look; choice of powerful engines; optional all-wheel drive; good interior and trunk space.
Below Average: Can be expensive to maintain; burns through fuel; expensive insurance; not particularly modern; no convertible version.
Consensus: Big and brutish, the 2022 Dodge Challenger is a classic modern muscle car, with a choice of very powerful engines. Larger than its competitors, it also has plenty of space for five passengers, and their cargo
Camaro vs. Challenger: Performance and Retro Looks
Chevrolet Camaro
With a choice of engines, rear-wheel drive, and a standard stick shift, the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro makes no bones about being what it is, a sports car that’s wonderful fun to drive. It’s also available as either a coupe or a convertible.
There’s a huge choice of power, from a 275-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder up to a 650-horsepower supercharged V8, with both a regular V8 and a V6 in the middle. All provide loads of muscle, and every Camaro has a sport suspension, with varying degrees of sophistication. We actually like the 4-cylinder, because the lower weight makes the nose less heavy, which Camaro makes even more nimble. The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual, but there’s also an 8-speed automatic, and an optional 10-speed auto in the top ZL trim.
What the Camaro is not, however, is practical. There are two comfortable seats in front, but the two in the back are very cramped, and best for cargo or a jacket. The trunk is also tiny, with a particularly frustrating and narrow opening. It’s also best to use your mirrors in the Camaro, as the thick rear pillars and narrow windows make seeing out a bit of a challenge.
Starting at $25,000 and topping out in the $75K range, the Camaro is also an incredible bargain, given what it’s capable of doing. And that bae price comes with automatic climate control, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a limited-slip differential, and selectable driving modes. Other standard equipment includes a 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Wi-fi, two USB ports, Bluetooth, and a 6-speaker audio system. Unfortunately, the Camaro doesn’t have some driver aids that have become standard equipment in most cars, but it’s still earned a 5-star NHTSA rating.
Dodge Challenger
Among American muscle cars, the 2022 Dodge Challenger is the biggest. This makes for plenty of room for passengers and their cargo, although it’s not terribly nimble in the curves.
What it is, however, is enormously powerful. The least powerful engine in the 2022 Challenger is a 303-horsepower V6 in the SXT and GT trims, with the top being an 807-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V8 in the SRT Super Stock, making it one of the most powerful production cars available at any price. There’s nothing wrong with the V6 Challengers, both of which are available with all-wheel drive, unlike either the Mustang or the Camaro. Upper trims are rear-wheel drive only, and the V8s all come standard with a 6-speed manual.
On the outside, the 2022 Dodge Challenger has a classic look, bearing a strong resemblance to the 1970s original. It’s more than 16 feet long and more than 6 feet wide, with plenty of space for five passengers, unlike its two main competitors. It also has a large trunk, making the Challenger a decent road trip vehicle. Inside it has modern conveniences, but again, the main reason for having a Challenger is for its performance. There’s plenty of interior plastic, and thick rear pillars hinder rear visibility.
Standard features include a sport suspension, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, and a 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Infotainment comes via a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and a 6-speaker audio setup. There’s not much in the way of standard safety features, although the Challenger earned a 5-star NHTSA safety rating.
Similarities
Choice of powerful engines; competitive prices; fuel economy; NHTSA 5-star safety ratings.
2022 Chevrolet Camaro Advantages
Sharper handling; lower price; optional convertible.
2022 Dodge Challenger Advantages
Available all-wheel drive; trunk space; larger backseat.
Which One is Right for Me?
Among the big three American muscle cars, the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro is probably the most entertaining to drive in the curves. It might not have a lot of space for passengers and cargo, but it is a blast to drive, top up or down.
More of a traditional muscle car, the 2022 Dodge Challenger is all about power. It’s not very agile, but it’s very quick, and its larger body means there’s more space for both passengers and cargo. Plus the Challenger is the only one of the three with optional all-wheel drive.
Ready to buy a Chevrolet Camaro or Dodge Challenger? Shop for one on sale now near you.
| 2022 Chevrolet Camaro | 2022 Dodge Challenger | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbo I4 | 3.6-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 275 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 303 hp @ 6,350 rpm |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm | 268 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-spd manual | 8-spd automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 22 mpg (19 city/29 hwy) | 23 mpg (19 city/30 hwy) |
| Also Available | 3.6-liter V6; 6.2-liter V8; 6.2-liter supercharged V8; 10-spd automatic | 5.7-liter V8; 6.4-liter V8; 6.2-liter supercharged V8; 6-spd manual; AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 4 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 110.7 inches | 116.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 188.3 inches | 197.9 inches |
| Width | 74.7 inches | 75.7 inches |
| Height | 53.1 inches | 57.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.4 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.5 inches | 39.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 34.0 inches | 37.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 43.9 inches | 42.0 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 29.9 inches | 33.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.0 inches | 58.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 50.0 inches | 53.9 inches |
| EPA Passenger Volume | 93.0 cubic feet | 93.9 cubic feet |
| EPA Cargo Volume | 9.1 cubic feet | 16.2 cubic feet |
