- The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette feels light on its toes compared to the 2022 Dodge Challenger
- The Dodge Challenger has the Corvette beat when it comes to storage options
- The fuel efficiency of these cars is similar
- The Corvette’s interior feels far more upscale
- What about the power from each car?
- 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray vs. 2022 Dodge Challenger R/T
I have had the privilege of driving the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and the 2022 Dodge Challenger R/T over the past month. Both sports cars are undoubtedly amazing in their own ways; each one will put a smile on your face with the stab of the throttle. However, after experiencing both of these brawny American cars, I figured I would compare their strengths and weaknesses to each other when it comes to everyday driving.
2023 Chevrolet Corvette | Joe Santos
The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette feels light on its toes compared to the 2022 Dodge Challenger
If the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette is a ballerina, then the 2022 Dodge Challenger is a clog dancer. Both cars can dance around tight corners pretty well, but the Corvette does it with more grace and ease. That’s to be expected, considering the ‘Vette is a mid-engine, rear-drive car, and the Challenger has its hides its V8 power upfront.
But weight balance isn’t the only factor. The Dodge Challenger tips the scales at 4,373 pounds, while the Corvette weighs in at 3,366. In that case, it’s hard to deny that an extra 1,000 pounds could have something to do with the Challenger hoofing through corners compared to the Corvette.
Ultimately, the Chevy Corvette is the obvious choice if you’re looking for canyon-carving fun. But if you want something more of a cruiser, then the Challenger will provide that for you.
The Dodge Challenger has the Corvette beat when it comes to storage options
As for storage, the Dodge Challenger has the Corvette beat. According to Dodge, the Challenger has 16.2 cubic feet of cargo volume compared to the Corvette’s 12.6 cubic feet. Sure, the ‘Vette has a front and rear trunk, but I tried fitting random stuff into each one, and the results weren’t too great.
I could only fit long, narrow items into the rear trunk, and the front trunk was good for some groceries. If anything, the passenger space in the ‘Vette could carry larger items.
The Challenger, on the other hand, has a large rear trunk that can fit a variety of cargo, much like you’re average sedan. It also has a rear seat, which is better for storing larger items than actual people.
The fuel efficiency of these cars is similar
If you’re shopping between these two sports cars, you probably don’t care about fuel efficiency. But if you do, it’s worth noting that the Corvette can achieve up to an EPA-estimated 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The Challenger returns similar numbers at 15 and 24 mpg, respectively.
In my real-world testing, I averaged around 15 mpg in both cars. That’s pretty good, considering a lot of my driving consisted of commuting between stoplights and jack-rabbit starts off the line so I could feel the exciting “pull” from each car as much as possible. It was fun, to say the least.
The Corvette’s interior feels far more upscale
As for the interiors of each of these cars, the Chevy Corvette beats out the Challenger. I was surprised at how buttoned-up the Corvette feels when sitting in it. The leather seats have a nice feel, and there are soft-touch materials on the dash and door panels.
The Dodge Challenger felt plush as well, with its Alcantara suede and leather seats. There were soft-touch materials in that car as well, but the hard plastics on some of the surfaces made it look a little cheap. I also didn’t like the look of the plastic dials and buttons on the dashboard; it felt a little like a 90s retro.
The Corvette has a nice touchscreen that sits inside the dash, and the interior is driver-centric. The only part I didn’t care for was the landing strip of buttons that sections of the driver from the passenger. It made figuring out the HVAC and radio controls a little confusing at first.
What about the power from each car?
I can’t compare these two cars without talking about the horsepower and torque figures. The Chevy Corvette is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine that makes 495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Dodge Challenger R/T is powered by a 6.4-liter V8 that makes 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque.
We can bench race these two cars all day and pretend to know which one would beat the other. But in the real world, the Corvette feels faster when you wring it through the RPM range, and the Challenger feels quicker off the line. Both of them are fast and make a bunch of loud noises that will make you feel proud to be an American. Although, I think the Corvette sounds better.
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray vs. 2022 Dodge Challenger R/T
If you’re shopping between these two sports cars, or any iteration of them, then these four points can give you a hint of what they’re like to live with every day. The Dodge Challenger is great straight-line speed, while the Corvette is the tiny dancer that won’t stress you out whether you’re driving to work or cutting through the canyons.
In the end, it’s up to you to pick the experience you want. But if it were up to me, I would pick the Corvette any day of the week.
Keyword: 2023 Chevrolet Corvette vs. 2022 Dodge Challenger R/T: A Real-World Comparison