Challenger

This nameplate first appeared for the 1970 model year as Dodge’s new pony car, sharing the muscle-car spotlight with the era’s other compact performance coupes. The original run lasted through 1974, after which the nameplate disappeared from the lineup. Dodge revived the Challenger for the 2008 model year with a modern, rear-wheel-drive interpretation that leaned heavily on the look and spirit of the early-1970s car. That second production period became one of the brand’s most recognizable modern performance models, spanning a wide range of HEMI-powered variants and special editions. Dodge ended Challenger production on December 31, 2023, closing the book on the nameplate’s current era while preserving its place as one of the most enduring American muscle-car badges.