Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2013 Dodge Challenger VS 2013 Chevrolet Camaro Near Scottsdale, AZ

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

Both the Challenger and the Camaro 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 and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

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 Camaro:

More stars indicate a better overall result. Lower numbers indicate better individual test results. Not comparable with post-2010 results.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Challenger has a standard 160-amp alternator (220-amp - Challenger SRT8 392). The Camaro’s standard 150-amp alternator and largest (ZL1) 155-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Challenger’s reliability will be 32% better than the Camaro.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Challenger second among midsize sporty cars in their 2012 Initial Quality Study. The Camaro isn’t in the top three.

As tested in Road & Track the Challenger SRT-8 392 6.4 V8 is faster than the Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8 (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Road & Track the Challenger SRT-8 392 6.4 V8 is faster than the Camaro LS/LT 3.6 DOHC V6 (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Challenger V6 is faster than the Camaro LS/LT 3.6 DOHC V6 (automatics tested):

The Challenger stops much shorter than the Camaro:

The Challenger has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Camaro’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Challenger SRT-8 392 has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Camaro doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Challenger’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the Camaro (116 inches vs. 112.3 inches).

The Challenger SRT-8 392 handles at .90 G’s, while the Camaro LT Coupe pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Road & Track skidpad test.

The Challenger SRT-8 392 goes through Road & Track’s slalom 2.3 MPH faster than the Camaro SS Coupe (68.7 vs. 66.4 MPH).

The Challenger SRT-8 392 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Camaro LT Coupe (25.6 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 26.6 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

As tested by Road & Track while cruising at 50 MPH, the interior of the Challenger SRT-8 392 is quieter than the Camaro ZL1 Coupe (71 vs. 73 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the Challenger is rated a Mid-size car by the EPA, while the Camaro Coupe is rated a Compact.

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

The Challenger has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, 2.7 inches more rear legroom and 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Camaro Coupe.

The Challenger has a much larger trunk than the Camaro Coupe (16.2 vs. 11.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Challenger easier. The Challenger’s trunk lift-over height is 33 inches, while the Camaro’s liftover is 34.7 inches.

The Challenger’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Camaro Coupe’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

On a hot day the Challenger’s driver can lower the front windows using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the Camaro can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Keyless Enter-N-Go standard on the Challenger allows the driver to unlock the doors, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the car in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Chevrolet Camaro doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Challenger’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Camaro’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Challenger has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable. The Camaro doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Challenger’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Camaro doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

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

With optional voice command, the Challenger offers the driver hands free control of the radio, cell phone and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Camaro doesn’t offer a voice control system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Challenger is less expensive to operate than the Camaro because typical repairs cost much less on the Challenger than the Camaro, including $431 less for an alternator, $43 less for front brake pads, $28 less for a starter, $170 less for fuel injection, $355 less for a fuel pump, $201 less for front struts, $473 less for a timing belt/chain and $27 less for a power steering pump.