The original Dodge Challenger, for all its storied history, lasted but five years, debuting for 1970 and falling victim to the energy crisis and rising insurance premiums by the middle of the disco decade. In fact, the most coveted Challengers were sold for 1970 and 1971, before emissions regulations, safety rules, and escalating insurance bills began emasculating Dodge’s muscle car. The nameplate was resurrected, regrettably to some purists, for 1978, affixed to the rump of a compact, Mitsubishi-built coupe that, surprisingly, survived longer than its muscular predecessor and, more surprisingly, put out almost as much horsepower from a four-cylinder engine as the six-cylinder Challenger did in 1972. By 1985, the party was over for the Challenger.

Twenty years later, Daimler Chrysler leveraged muscle-car goodwill and public appetite for retro design, rolling a Challenger concept car out for the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Cheap gas, a strong economy, and the sales success of the retro-themed 2005 Ford Mustang convinced the company to build a production version based on its Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger platform, and the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 went on sale in limited numbers in advance of a full model rollout for 2009 – right about the same time gas hit four bucks a gallon.

Highlights of the 2009 Dodge Challenger include:

• SE and R/T trim levels added to the lineup
• Challenger SE powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 making 250 horsepower
• Mid-year upgrade on Challenger SE included replacement of four-speed automatic with a five-speed transmission with AutoStick
• Mid-year introduction of Challenger SE Rallye model
• Manual transmission option added to R/T and SRT8 models, complete with retro “Pistol Grip” shifter and Hill Start Assist technology
• Challenger R/T equipped with a 5.7-liter V-8 generating 372 or 376 horsepower, depending on transmission
• Challenger R/T has Multi-Displacement System (MDS) fuel-saving technology when paired with automatic transmission
• Mid-year introduction of Challenger R/T Classic model
• Challenger SRT8 gets standard limited-slip differential, red accent seat stripes, LED illuminated cupholders, and new 32-tooth rear hub and bearing assembly
• New option package on SRT8 combines Uconnect technology, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a security alarm, and remote starting capability
• SRT8 gets revised black hood stripes
• New colors for 2009 include TorRed and B5 Blue, available only on the R/T Classic and the SRT8 models.
• Pricing starts in the low-$20,000 range

Dodge offers the Challenger in SE, R/T, and SRT8 trim levels. The SE model includes 17-inch wheels with wheel covers, cloth seats, a 60/40 split folding rear bench seat, a 4-speaker stereo with a CD player, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, and electroluminescent gauges.

The Challenger SE is available with a power sunroof, a power 8-way driver’s seat, an upgraded audio system with a CD changer, Sirius satellite radio, a navigation system, and a compact spare tire. Option packages bundle some of these items with features like 18-inch aluminum wheels, fog lights, stability and traction control, Boston Acoustics speakers, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. There’s also a Challenger SE Rallye model that adds bodyside stripes, hood stripes, decklid stripes, a chrome fuel door, a rear spoiler, unique wheels, and special interior accents.

People looking for more performance and better handling will want to check out the Challenger R/T model. In addition to a V-8 engine and upgrades for the suspension, brakes, and steering, the R/T includes 18-inch aluminum wheels, stability control, a performance exhaust system with dual outlets, a polished fuel door, fog lights, a rear spoiler, and performance tires. It’s also got upgraded floor mats, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a 160-mph speedometer, and an 8-way power driver’s seat.

The Challenger R/T is offered with many of the same options as the SE, and is uniquely available with hood stripes, Xenon HID headlights with automatic illumination, heated side mirrors, and 20-inch chrome wheels. Also exclusive to the R/T: a reconfigurable Electronic Vehicle Information Center with “performance pages” that track and record vehicle data for the driver’s review, Homelink, Keyless Go with push-button start, remote engine starting capability, outside temperature display, steering wheel controls, seven-speaker Boston Acoustics audio with 368-watt digital amp, a security alarm, and Uconnect hands-free communication. Option packages can include these items plus leather upholstery, illuminated cupholders and door handles, and an auto-dimming rearview with integrated microphone.

Notably, the Challenger R/T can be equipped with the R/T Group option, which includes functional hood scoops, R/T bodyside stripes, 20-inch chrome wheels, and classic “Challenger” script badges. The optional Track Pak includes a six-speed manual transmission with hill start assist, an anti-spin rear differential, bright foot pedal trim, and the ability to completely disable the traction control system. Our review model was the Challenger R/T Classic, which includes the R/T Group and Track Pak options.

The Challenger SRT8 is the high-performance version of this car. It’s got a 425-horsepower 6.1-liter V-8 engine; a lowered performance suspension; performance-tuned steering; bigger Brembo brakes fed by brake cooling ducts; and 20-inch performance tires mounted to forged 20-inch wheels. The SRT8 also includes a 180-mph speedometer; automatic Xenon HID headlights; and severe-duty engine cooling. It also includes Keyless Go with a push-button starter, a reconfigurable vehicle information center with “performance pages” that record vehicle data for review, steering wheel controls, Homelink, an outside temperature display, Sirius satellite radio, Boston Acoustics premium audio, heated power folding side mirrors, and heated front seats with premium leather seat trim.

Available options for the Challenger SRT8 include a hood stripe, a power sunroof, and a navigation system. Option packages include the Track Pak, which has a six-speed manual transmission, hill start assist, an anti-spin rear differential, bright foot pedals, and the ability to completely defeat the stability control system. SRT Option Group 1 includes Uconnect hands-free communication, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a microphone, remote engine starting, and illuminated cupholders and door handles. SRT Option Group 2 adds a Kicker performance sound system with 13 speakers, a 322-watt amp and a 200-watt subwoofer – perfect for slappin’ the air bass to old Rush discs.

The 2009 Dodge Challenger is equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 (SE), a 5.7-liter V-8 (R/T), or a 6.1-liter V-8 (SRT8). The 3.5-liter V-6 makes 250 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,800 rpm, and is rated to deliver 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. Chrysler recommends mid-grade unleaded for this engine, but says regular unleaded is acceptable.

The Challenger R/T’s 5.7-liter V-8 generates 372 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 401 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,300 rpm when equipped with the standard automatic transmission. If the optional Track Pak is selected, which has a six-speed manual transmission, the power ratings are bumped to 376 horsepower at 5,150 rpm and 410 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,300 rpm. Notably, the 5.7-liter V-8 is equipped with Chrysler’s Multi-Displacement System (MDS) when paired to the automatic transmission, which shuts half the cylinders down under low-load conditions, such as when cruising on the highway, descending hills, or approaching stop signs or signals. This helps the Challenger to conserve fuel, resulting in EPA fuel economy ratings that are almost as good as the V-6 powertrain. According to the EPA, the Challenger R/T gets 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, no matter which transmission is selected.

The SRT8’s 6.1-liter V-8 whips up 425 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm regardless of transmission choice, and it requires premium unleaded. Without the benefit of MDS, the SRT8’s fuel economy is unimpressive at 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway with the standard automatic, and 14 mpg city/22 mpg highway with the manual transmission.

Our review vehicle, a Challenger R/T with the 5.7-liter V-8 engine and six-speed manual transmission, is rated by the EPA to get 16 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. We averaged 16.4 mpg in mixed driving. Combined with the Challenger’s standard 19-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 310-mile range between fill-ups.

Standard safety equipment on every 2009 Dodge Challenger includes dual front airbags and side curtain airbags for the front and rear seats. That’s it. Side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants are not offered on the Challenger. Traction control, stability control, and ABS with brake assist are optional on the Challenger SE but standard on R/T and SRT8 models. When equipped with the optional Track Pak, the R/T and SRT8 have hill start assist, which hold the car still on hills while the driver switches from the brake pedal to the gas pedal while releasing the clutch pedal. The Challenger can also be equipped with Uconnect hands-free calling and communications.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Dodge Challenger competes against other midsize sporty coupes such as the Ford Mustang and Mitsubishi Eclipse.

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