Road Test: 2023 Dodge Challenger Swinger Special Edition

There’s no doubt that my neighbours appreciated the fact I no longer started work at 5 am during my week with the 2023 Dodge Challenger Swinger Special Edition.

That’s because hitting the ignition button brings a massive Hemi engine to life with a deep roar and rumble that would surely have had them giving me the stink eye every time they saw me.

This two-door not only looks the part of a mean sports machine, it sounds it, too.

But if you want one of these, you better act fast because the automaker is discontinuing the model after this year.

The Challenger is available in 10 different trims, with prices ranging from $43,000 to $121,000. However, despite sharing a name, some of these models are very different from the rest.

Our tester was somewhere in the middle of the pack in terms of price, at $84,115.

Powertrain: The Swinger Special Edition has one hell of an engine under the F8 Green Metallic hood.

The 6.4-litre Hemi V8 roars to life with a throaty growl, and that only gets louder when you hit the accelerator and move through the six gears of the manual gearbox.

With 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque, the Challenger gets moving in a hurry. With that much power, even under idle, you can feel the car just shaking – ready for action.

There’s a price to pay for all the power, however, and it comes at the pump. The V8-powered Challenger has an estimated combined fuel consumption of 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres. A week with it resulted in no netter than 17.2 L/100 km for me.

Exterior: The Challenger Swinger Special Edition doesn’t only stand out because of how it sounds, but also how it looks.

Not only is the F8 Green Metallic paint choice quite interesting, the Special Edition has a few exterior touches added on.

Lighter green “retro” decals on the rear fenders make it clear this is a Swinger, and behind the massive wheels are black six-piston Brembo brakes – which is a good thing given the amount of power this vehicle has.

The wide stance of the Challenger appears even wider thanks to the flares over the wheel wells.

The two-tier front grille features the Challenger and R/T badges, and a Shaker intake protrudes from the hood.

Interior: The interior of the two-door coupe is somewhat minimalist, especially for rear occupants. But the focus here really is on the driver.

The seats are very snug and hug you tightly, which is good because the Challenger Swinger Edition can certainly toss you around a little bit when pushed.

The combination of nappa and Alcantara leather is well executed, and they feature green accent stitching to match the exterior. That accent stitching is also present throughout the console and doors.

While I appreciated the overall layout, the placement of the cupholders in the centre console meant any type of drink there would always be in the way of your arm when shifting. A small annoyance that is easily solved, of course.

I liked the use of wood-like aluminum trim pieces in the cabin, something I usually wouldn’t say. But the execution of them in this case was well done.

Infotainment: The Challenger Swinger Special Edition has the Uconnect infotainment system installed and as usual, it is one I had little issue with.

It’s very well executed by the automaker, although I think the screen could have been made a little bigger that the 8.4-inches.

The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, features satellite radio and a 4G Wi-Fi hot spot.

The screen also doubles as an information centre for all the driving dynamic statistics should you opt to use the Swinger Special Edition to its full capabilities on the track.

Drive: There’s nothing smooth or subtle about the Challenger Swinger Edition. You feel every bump and rough patch in the road with a shudder that goes though the entire vehicle – and your body.

But that’s all part of having this type of vehicle. You are not buying it for comfort, you are buying it for performance. And in that respect, it does not disappoint.

The power output is more than excellent, and acceleration will push you back into your seat.

Steering is definitely on the stiff side, but it does take quick corners quite well.

Conclusion: The Challenger Swinger Special Edition is a rare breed in many respects. The model is set to be discontinued, and only a limited number of these Canadian-assembled vehicles were made available for sale.

So, if you want one and are lucky enough to find one, do not hesitate to sign on the dotted line.

2023 Dodge Challenger Swinger Special Edition
Price as tested: $84,115.00
Freight: $2,095.00
Configuration: Front engine/Rear-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 6.4-litre Hemi V8/ 6-speed manual
Power/torque: 485 horsepower/ 475 lb-ft of torque
Fuel (capacity): Premium (70 L)
Combined fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 13.9 L/100 km
Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 17.2 L/100 km
Warranties: 5-years/100,000 km (basic)
Competitors: Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Nissan Z
Website: Dodge Canada