2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Review and Road Test (manual transmission)

Alex L. Dykes got his hands on the 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 with the manual transmission. Check out the video as we take it out on the road, hop in the trunk, check out the back seat, look under the hood and take it for a spin.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
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[@taltigolt]

the only muscle car that has the soul of a muscle car they did such an amazing job on the design of this car it looks like a true classic muscle car

[@JPaitPlays]

Totally agree! I think the charger looks cool, but the challenger really keeps with the classic muscle car look!

[@taltigolt]

JPaitPlays if they gave the charger the same treatment and modernized the 1969 charger imagine like they did with the challenger infact heres a bad concept i did on that fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/1959512_10152219042706668_661893832_n.jpg

[@Aedeus]

+taltigolt Get over it. The muscle car era is dead. This car is so far behind the times, it is ridiculous. Poor gas mileage and gets creamed by a Tesla, HAHA. Just google Tesla vs Challenger drag race.

[@newuser8462]

HAHA, don't compare a car that's over twice the price bud

[@RamAirBandit]

Jealous are we....bet you got a Yugo in your garage lol

[@MrJagfootball63]

"This car probably could go faster if it had wider rear tires and grippier rubber" - story of the hellcat

[@HardRockVermont]

Hey Alex, enjoyed the show last night, I am a bit late on this video, like 11 years...lol The 392 is still the sweet spot in the Challenger line up, regardless of what direction the company is being guided into. Excellent street and dragstrip performers!

[@jayshea36]

Bought a 2009 srt8 manual two weeks ago with 9000 miles on it. I use to love the mustangs, but when I test drove the srt8 I just fell in love with it!!!

[@Nathanvoie]

its good info to know the trunk wont hit your knees when you close it on yourself. keep up the good reviews.

[@AfKman101]

LOL "You can still fit two journalists in this trunk" Good. Never know when i need to hide a body or two

[@vy10or5]

Thanks for actually talking and getting into the rear seats! Hardly no one else covered that!

[@cargogh]

Good review, Alex. Thanks for testing one with the manual, and thank you Dodge for continuing to offer one.

[@DorvilMG]

Alex..? Why are we trying to put journalists in the trunk? LOL

[@bobclapper2672]

cuz Trumps pres-e -dent

[@Koreatowndude]

I'm looking into test driving this car myself and this review was one of the most helpful review in understanding what this car is all about. Good job chap!

[@amanapart0]

dont know why there are so many haters here. this guy does a solid job reviewing this car and knows his stuff. gives us pertinent information and actually drives the car. id just like to see more gear changing.

[@XQHInc]

This is probably the best review on the 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8 I have seen! Very well done sir.

[@orange70383]

Had to quit watching when he said he wasn't a fan of the original muscle cars. Really, wow.

[@Mejevoli]

So you're one of those people who can't have anyone not on your side. Okay.

[@JohnJones-cg2xm]

Cute dog. The original muscle cars were bad ass. I miss them. 69 Camaro was the coolest I think.

[@Kayosunz]

+John Jones 70 cuda'

[@Hondasociety92]

I flipped him off lol

[@jerryb19531953]

@@JohnJones-cg2xm My first car was a 1969 Ford Fairlane with a 302. Best car I ever had. The old muscle cars and old cars in general were better. They were made to drive not conduct business in. No computers in those cars so the government couldn't track you. Plus I loved the smell of gasoline in the morning. HA! HA! HA! That said I would like to get my hands on one of these bad boys and add about 100 HP to it. I'm 68 and I thought I would never care about getting into a fast car but I'm getting up there in age and would like to experience the thrill of speed.

[@f32440i]

I really like this guy, he knows how to review a car. Top job mate.

[@hd74xlhs]

Nice audio write up.. being a Mopar guy, I'm already biased toward The Pentastar- but Alex seemed genuinely impressed w/the Challenger. It's nice to know that when I get out of my 300C, I can move down into a 2dr coupe (w/damn near as much room) AND up into a 392 CI (6.4L) Hemi w/a 6 spd standard. Groovy!

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Chrysler's 6.4L hemi is a 16 valve engine but it is also a 16 spark plug engine. The engine uses 8 coil packs and 16 plus. The second plug helps create a more even burn and fires again just after TDC to improve the efficiency of the burn and reduce emissions.

[@sonboogie]

"not a fan of cars from time period this cars trying to imitate"?...then you are not a man of cars.

[@blairbrown4812]

Billie Eilish has her own Challenger. #NuffSaid

[@joelon3057]

"Not a fan of cars from time period this cars trying to imitate" ... said no real man ever!

[@phil2856]

Great review, I have driven the smaller hemi version of this car several times and it is beautiful. Reasonable fuel consumption, great handling, and i love the look.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Keeping in mind that this is very much a personal preference, I fount the GT stock suspension just a hair too stiff for my tastes. I preferred the Challenger.

[@NemanjaGuitar]

Alex I gotta say- excellent review, you made me seriously consider the Challenger! I always though of it as a bigger heavier and unrefined of the three muscle cars, but after seeing your honest review, I find it the most appealing of the three! Subscribed.

[@danielc9635]

Reasons mentioned in the vid are why I got my R/T. Although I got the auto because 1) I'm lazy and 2) never owned a manual before and didn't want to destroy a Challenger practicing. Nice honest Review.

[@NAWIndustries]

I have no idea why all of you are harassing him. I mean yeah, the guy put some stuff in there that wasn't needed, but that's no reason to be rude about it. I think this video is very informal, and I'm getting a challenger soon myself. Grow up and get a life people.

[@nbrigdan]

the fact is that this car will never be the best performing muscle car, but it is just so cool, so awesome, so stylish, and just pure classic. It doesn't try to be a sports car, and I like that.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

The SRT wheel is one of the best steering wheels available right now but the shifter feel is about the same between models. Because it's a shifter that goes right into the transmission rather than using rods or cables, the feel is precise and direct.

[@Basslightning666]

Good review! 392 is the sweet spot in the Challenger line up... Great looks, killer sound, and plenty of Street able power.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Apparently you don't know what you are talking about. The statement in the video is correct, the modern Chrysler HEMI has two spark plugs per cylinder to improve the burn and reduce emissions. The ending *also* happens to have 2 valves per cylinder but that's not unusual so we didn't hilight that in the video.

[@1bls]

Just bought one, in fact today. I didn't get the srt8, but I did get the rt, and so far I gotta say I agree with his assessment. Besides the differences in the srt8 and the rt, I noticed most of the things this guy said, especially the cabin size. I got 2 boys, both teenagers and rather large, and we all fight quite well in there today.

[@Theonestrongbusleader]

My favorite muscle car!! Amazing job bro.

[@kraventhearcher]

I watched this because I thought Alex would talk me down off the MoPar ledge I was on and make me not want one of these. Bad idea. Great review. Very honest. Fuark. Now I have to go test drive one.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Expect the 8.4 inch uConnect system to appear when the Challenger is redesigned in the next year or two. The rumor mill indicates it will also get smaller with the redesign.

[@antidonkey]

I do so love my 2010 Challenger SRT8. I almost traded it in for a newer year but the fact that mine had the Ram logos on it makes me want to keep it since Ram is it own company now.

[@nicholassamayoa]

Good review he really talk about all the ups and downs of the challenger. Love this car want to buy it but the dash board looks kinda plastic and cheap.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Much of this was filmed on CA Highway 35.

[@DamienDemiGod]

Honestly when you first started off I almost wrote you off as a tool. Idk why, and I'm sorry. I let you talk, and then we started agreeing more and more, and then proved yourself to me as someone who knows your ass from your elbow. Just wanted to be honest. Keep up the informational, quality reviews!

[@Graygoat06]

Hey! Thats my car! Well except for the red seating. How could you not be a fan of late 60s early 70s muscle cars?? Excellent review. It is a fantastic and versatile muscle car. Great for long road trips and short cruises.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

The shift action is smooth and the clutch pedal is firm but not hard. Shift throws are moderate and the clutch engagement is fairly linear.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

We don't know for sure what is going to happen until Chrysler makes an announcement, but the rumors do seem to indicate that around 2015 we should expect a new variant of the platform that will be shorter than the Challenger to compete more directly with the Camaro and Mustang.

[@sdguero28]

Dude you just made me really want to buy a Challenger with a manual. Maybe in a few years... :)

[@andrewa1219]

Radio controls. One side can adjust the volume and the other can change the station/media input.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

If you didn't care about the rear seat room, then you should buy a Mustang GT because it's faster and handles better. You buy the Challenger either because you're in love with the looks, or because it's the more practical choice *because* of the rear seat room, 5 seats and ginormous trunk.

[@13984980]

Those Backroads are Beautiful. Beautiful car and Beautiful scenery. Great Review overall.

[@TreVox]

I absolutely adore this car.. Santa oooo santa....

[@TreVox]

Santa did not send me the SRT8 omg........... I've been a bad boy I guess... :(

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Chrysler's own literature describes the LC platform the Challenger rides on as a "shortened LX platform" which is what the Charger and 300C use. The suspension, drivetrain, HVAC systems, seat frames, electronics, buttons, safety systems and substructure are shared. So how is that not a 2-door version of the Charger platform? Also, what does it matter? Since when is a shorter version of a Charger or 300 a bad thing?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

The Challenger's brakes are fairly robust, the stopping distance was longer than 106 feet for us, I recall 60-0 was more on the order of 124 feet. Road surface obviously has a huge impact as does weight and the Challenger is fairly heavy.

[@BrayZap]

It's going to be literally 3 weeks of staying up 24 hours a day watching car reviews next fall lol. Trading in the Lancer. Looking at Boss 302, Gt500, Vette Z06, Challenger srt8, ZL1, camaro SS, Evolution X GSR (shitty weather for RWD) , Audi TT RS

[@shansolo]

I own a TTRS and that car is pure love.. great interior quality, perfect amount of power to all four wheels, and sounds good also.. but if you're into american power, I would go with the vette.

[@BrayZap]

I impartial. i dont stick with one car just because its domestic, or because its euro, or because its JDM, i like ANYTHING from ANY where, i will buy a car based off of what i think will fit me the most. I saw 2 TTRS finally and they are rare as hell, not sure if i would even be able to find one. Both of the guys i talked to them had to drive states away to get them, they didnt bring many RS to the U.S. meaning theres like 1 in each state actually "for sale" haha

[@therealtravisteal]

driver: "lets go get some food guys" passenger: "i call trunk!"

[@sinosleep007]

First time I've ever seen a vid from this channel, was not expecting the trunk comfort index lol. I may have to sub for that alone.

[@ghostface12258]

You had me right up to the point when you started talking about the trunk!!! Who in the world is going to ride in trunk???? 8/10 trunk comfort lol

[@rtpwyk]

Wait, 8 minutes on a rooftop introduces us to your review of a muscle car? Dear Lord...

[@AwesomeBob]

This is the best review I've seen on the Challenger yet! I'm struggling on deciding between the RT Plus and the RT classic though. I test drove an RT Classic over the weekend and I must have been off my guard because I fell in love right away. My main attraction is the leather wrapped shifter and the silky smooth transmission. Would I have the same tactile experience in an RT Plus?

[@GearHead4Lyfe]

Road Surface, Temp, Tire Package all factor in. MT 116' , Edmunds 114, I was a few feet low on it. But as heavy as the SRT8 is, the brakes are more than up to the task (that was the point I was getting at) lots of SRT8 owners track the cars and the brake setup holds up very well.

[@DemoFly]

I thought the same thing. He actually did a good job on the rest of the video.

[@JayyMoneyy420]

IM GLAD IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THE SAME THOUGHT

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Diggin the dress jacket, it's a great look and 'suits' the classy looking Challenger.

[@frankburns7098]

I just got my 2013 srt8 last week, and I was surprised at those claims as well. I haven't really got on it yet, since I'm still breaking it in, but I don't get the sense that it could quite make those numbers stock, certainly not not without the performance tires, which he said the test car didn't have. He did mention that those were "best" times, and not averages, and in exactly the right conditions, with the tires heated just right, perfect launch, etc...it's not impossible. Anyway, I love it

[@StormAutoAdventures]

Hey for a big 4,200 pound car like this, it still ripped around the skid pad at 0.90G (Avg) in one test, and then did 0.91G (Avg) in Car And Driver. My old SVT Contour which was one of the best handling cars I've ever owned went around the skid pad at 0.88G (Avg) and that thing felt like it was on rails. For a daily driven street car, all the 2011 and up Challenger R/T's & SRT8's handle very well considering their size due to their needed suspension enhancements.

[@MrMcbear]

It won't be replaced. But after speaking with Ralph Gilles at the NYIAS press days there will be a couple new additions to the SRT lineup soon. SRT want's to dip back into the past mopars.

[@KINGPinckneyIV]

The best part about the Challenger is the roaring engine but, instead I listened to this guy during the road test

[@GearHead4Lyfe]

Sid, I suggest doing some research on the brake setup on the srt8 vehicles. The srt8 will do 60 to 0 in 106ft. The rotors are huge, thick, slotted Brembo's.

[@m.schultz93]

radio control buttons, like volume up/down and change the station on the other side of the steering wheel

[@taitai907]

The best thing about the Challenger is it's retro look. It was during the '60s and '70s that American Muscle was the best looking.

[@DC89SSP1]

Kudos for wearing a windscreen on your mic. Some people have horrible amounts of wind noise that ruin their videos.

[@mariosrt8719]

Nice informative vid on the challenger. Great ride and a very fun vehicle to own!

[@peterjimenez497]

A standard model is going to be my graduation gift!

[@johnadams9044]

Really well done review. Sensibly thought out and coherently presented. You have moved me to seriously consider purchasing the 392 Challenger. Thanks.

[@aidenkun3094]

I know hellcat/demon challenger is faster than this, but this one just got the true muscle car essentials and the power its just perfect

[@alexdykes]

In our tests on the same track the Mustang GT ran 4.3 seconds, almost the same time MotorTrend clocked the GT. That's a decent improvement over the SRT. The current body Mustang GT is nearly 500lbs or 13% lighter at 3,618lbs.

[@BulldogsFever]

Geeez... This dude is a princess.. All I got was the Challenger is heavy, can't use the hp it has, and the ride is better than a Camaro or Mustang. I have a 2005 Mustang with NO suspension mods and it rides just fine to me.

[@2013FiveOh]

At the strip, a stock Mustang GT with the brembo brake package and 3.55's is capable of 12.6 second passes @ 112-113 mph. 3.73's call for either riding the rev limiter through the traps in 4th, or shifting to 5th, both of which waste a little bit of time. However, on the street, yes, 3.73's are two car lengths faster than 3.55's by the end of 5th gear. 3.55's are better for a stock GT in the 1/4 mile, and also better if you plan on big power mods, as they'll offer better traction/fuel econ.

[@joepeterson6883]

I disagree, I watched the whole thing and while I don;t agree with everything he said I found him better than most reviews I've watched.

[@healthyamerican]

so glad to know challenger has telescoping steering wheel. i really want one of these cars!

[@2013FiveOh]

They're excellent. Phenomenal lateral and longitudinal traction, each tire will support 1,800 lbs, rated for 186 mph, and they're cheap. less than $250 per tire. There are two ideal setups for my car. Four 275/40-19's is one. The other is 255/40-19 FK453's up front, and 285/35-19 Mickey Thompson Street Comps out back, the correct staggered sizes that Ford used on the Boss 302. 275/40 rears and 255/40 fronts is a bit odd. The rears are slightly too tall for comfort during high speed cornering.

[@SHODUUP]

I don't see too many folks that are looking at purchasing any of the three new muscle cars eagerly looking at rear seat rooms. Yes, you stand correct; the Mustang is a better handler and faster no doubt. Looks goes to the Challenger, and that big V8....something that's truly from days gone by.

[@moddedmedia415]

The Boss is also a 5.0. And it ran 12.2 on stock tires@116mph. 0-60 in 4.0 sec so yes a stock 5.0 did hit low 12's

[@alexvoronovich2470]

Heated steering wheel makes this car a joy to drive. Never watching this guy review a car again that's for damn sure

[@zaitcev0]

BANEON used to take I-35 for drives and at one point I was rounding a corner only to find a flipped-over S-10 compact pickup. Blind corners are a fact of life in the area. I'm surprised a Challenger fits at all :-)

[@69scoobysnacks]

It isn't exactly a Ferrari, but of the three classic muscle cars that have been 're-released' the last few years (Mustang/Camaro/Challenger), the Challenge is my personal fave by far when it comes to looks.

[@angelalaniz281]

Am I the only guy who got a laugh when he was talking about the trunk ? Haha

[@dayrockerdreamin]

Does he plan to put someone in the trunk?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

No, they aren't and that is because the Charger has been refreshed and the Challenger hasn't yet. We expect a new Challenger that is smaller and lighter to land in 2015.

[@DreahHeadJ26]

I so want this car. I have been looking for a used Challenger for the past 2 weeks, kind of hard to find one at my budget.

[@alunmauve]

"...you can still fit two journalists in the trunk."... SOLD! :)

[@GearHead4Lyfe]

It has 2 SPARK PLUGS per cylinder.. 16 plugs total. All Modern Hemi's are 16 spark plugs.

[@BobDylanBanana]

Thanks a lot from reviewing the size of the trunk. It was the only thing keeping me from buying it. Wasn't sure if I would fit in there, being that i'm a big guy and all -_-

[@Ampwich]

A Challenger with an automatic transmission in red, white, and blue (or camouflage) would be the most American car ever!

[@yermommy777]

nice, legit and honest review; a few errors here and there but mostly accurate

[@kc5077]

Thanks Alex for another good review. TTAC provides an opinion like no other. The pistol grip 6 speed manual is a dream but I can't forgive the left foot operated parking brake pedal. Cars should have 3 pedals not 4!

[@RealtimeReviews613]

Great review! TTAC is very underrated! Lets help him get known

[@daveschwartz1186]

For you that don't like the car, go off and buy your Ford's and Chevy's. But, the Challenger is the BEST RETRO car around and carry's the engine to prove it. I love my Challenger!

[@bdougwrx]

Nice vid! I looking at a black 13 SRT8 with grey stripes, black chrome wheels and 18k miles. They are asking $37k, I'm going to offer $33 and see if they bite.

[@blakeh5361]

bdougwrx I know this is old, but I don't think anyone will accept 33 dollars for any car. Lol jokes aside I know what you mean hahaha

[@matthewhernandez9984]

Blake H here where I live for a 2013 srt8 with 29,000 miles on it are asking for $24,000

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

We will see if we cab get our hands on one.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Those roads are extremely narrow and have large portions that are only one lane. The camera angle exaggerates it a bit as well.

[@danielc9635]

Great review. Those of us that are over 6' tall have an option to not be cramped in the drivers seat! :-D I personally have my eye on the R/T, good cruzer car. I never thought I'd put comfort as high as I do these days, stupid age. The Challenger, as mentioned in the review, is pretty comfy, so bonus points in my book. I test drove one and fell in love. Now I just have to figure out how to pay for it....

[@MazwiZwane]

Noticed a few video editing errors there, above all great review liked and subscribed

[@69scoobysnacks]

I feel your pain brother, I too live in a country that taxes cars primarily from power output, and as a consequence of that a car like this costs almost the same as a Ferrari. Which in turn results in that high-powered versions of muscle cars in fact are rarer than Italian exotics where I live. I don't think I have ever seen any of the new Mustangs, Challengers or Challengers in my city.

[@OriginalName42069]

Testing the trunk comfort. Totally need that.

[@EvilMerlin]

Not at all the 3.73's usually do about 12.5 at 113. I know. I did it seven times in my 2013 until I changed the exhaust, intake, plenum and a few other minor things. I'm now bouncing right around 12.0 at 117. I'm not usually hitting the revlimited at the end of the track, usually about 750 RPM in reserve.

[@AlternativeUses]

the reason i think its nuts is because i had a volkswagen cc and with only 207 ft lbs of torque it was surprisingly easy to do a burnout on my 235 fronts. i cant imagine what almost 500 ft lbs of torque would be on nearly the same tires

[@timarc124]

Wow that song sound not bad ! Nice review !

[@Arborpress]

Man I never wanted a car so bad. I actually like the exterior of the 2008-2012 than 2013+.