The 100th anniversary is a coveted milestone that should be celebrated, and Dodge did not fall short in delivering their heritage-filled rendition of the 2014 Dodge Challenger. This Challenger, painted in High Octane Red paint and clad with 100th anniversary badging throughout, makes a bold statement from any angle.
The formula for retro-modern muscle continues in 2014, with curvaceous lines that peak in the rear quarter-panel and help make the 2014 Dodge Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition feel, for better or worse, like a really big coupe. It is this size which sets it apart from competitors such as the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, making this platform more suitable for highway cruising than carving corners. The only embellishments indicating this Challenger is the 100th Anniversary edition are a pair of “100th Anniversary” badges located on the front fenders, and matching center caps on the 20-inch alloy wheels with graphite-colored inserts.
The Challenger’s interior remains unchanged for 2014, aside from large, circular “100th Anniversary” badges that adorn the seatbacks of the black- and gold-cloud-patterned leather seats. My experience with the interior is a mostly positive one. Support from the seats is adequate, although an adjustable thigh-support would be a welcome addition. Road noise is hushed and the 550-watt Boston Acoustic sound system lends itself to making all types of music sound crisp and balanced.
However, the dash and center console are made mostly of hard plastic, resulting in occasional rattles on uneven pavement. The ride on this particular model, thanks in part to the sport suspension option and 20-inch wheels wrapped in Firestone rubber, transmits more road feel to the driver than does the base version. Small nuances in the pavement go unnoticed, but anything larger results in quite a bit of feedback. Nevertheless, the 2014 Dodge Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition is great for long road trips, as the ride remains compliant and pleasant.
This particular model is equipped with the 3.6-L Pentastar V6, good for 305 HP and 268 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to a 5-speed transmission which for 2015 has been upgraded to the ZF-sourced 8-speed Torqueflite version. The 5-speed provides smooth upshifts which generally keep the V-6 in its ideal power band, but downshifts can be somewhat harsh.
Given that the Challenger tips the scales at over 4,000 lbs., this powertrain does a decent job at getting the big coupe up and running. In my time spent with the Challenger I have averaged 22mpg with “spirited” driving, including 0-60 runs that typically fall in the low 6-second range. Should you feel the need for even more speed, you can step up to the 5.7-L HEMI V-8, good for 376 HP and 410 lb-ft of torque, or the SRT model with a 6.4-L HEMI rated for 470 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque.
With the odometer having recently rolled over 10,000 miles, reliability of the V-6 version of the challenger has remained excellent, as the only servicing thus far was a required oil change and tire rotation at 7,000 miles.
Overall, the 2014 Dodge Challenger remains a solid choice for those looking for muscular good looks with a serene and composed ride. Throw in the fact that this coupe can really be brought to life with two potent HEMI engine choices and you have the essential ingredients for a car that can bring smiles to drivers and on-lookers alike.
For more on the V-6 Dodge Challenger’s new big brother, the 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat, check out this Challenger Hellcat vs. Charger Hellcat TFLcar mashup below:
EDITOR’S NOTE: For complete transparency – The author is the current owner of this particular vehicle.
