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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.6L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 8-spd |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 19 / 30 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,950 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 392 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $25,076–$33,341 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2016 Dodge Challenger at 6.8/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sports. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 9.0/10, while Value at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sports — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.5/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 9.0/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 6.8/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.7/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $25,076–$33,341, 14 MPG, seating 5, the Dodge Challenger sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2016 Dodge Challenger is a passable sports but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance and value hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Dodge Challenger ranks #305 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 4% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.9 points below the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $25,076 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 46%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Across the Challenger model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $33,095 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.1/10 | $32,005 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.1/10 | $31,015 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.0/10 | $30,025 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.0/10 | $29,035 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.0/10 | $28,045 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $27,055 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $26,066 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 6.8/10 | $25,076 | |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $24,086 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 12/07/2018 · 18E053000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs are being recalled to address a defect that could… |
|---|---|
| Electrical system / Wiring 17/05/2018 · 18V332000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500,… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2016 Dodge Challenger's reliability 7.5/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 6.8/10 overall, ranking #305 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 4% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2016 Dodge Challenger starts at $25,076 and ranges up to $33,341 across trims (MSRP when new). At 14 MPG, expect roughly $3,750/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Dodge models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.