“The more things change, the more they stay the same” – Some proverb who might have forecasted the trajectory of the still-current, outgoing Dodge Challenger. Aside from tinkering with cosmetics, changing transmissions, adding a boatload of power, and ramping up the special trims offered, the car has stayed true to its roots as a big, burly bruiser. Being that my first article for Hooniverse covered the 2014 Challenger R/T that I owned at the time (which was already seven years ago!), there was a tinge of nostalgia in my veins as I drove and sat down to review the “Last Call” 2023 Challenger R/T Scat Pack Swinger Special Edition. It’s a car that exists to help the sun set on this generation of the iconic nameplate, but I suppose that’s entirely the reason for its existence.

(While we did subject this vehicle to our regular routine, we didn’t drive it enough to warrant a full-fledged, traditional review. What follows is a quick rundown of what can be deduced from our time with it.)

But here we are…

Everyone knows the Dodge Challenger and Charger are at the end of the road as we know them, with production of both officially ending December 31, 2023. That means come 2024, the infamous muscle car duo will no longer be available to order new, so Dodge is doing what Dodge does best and making a huge commotion out of every little thing. Case in point: The “Last Call” models, which throw a bit of “special” trim on the ancient pair in an effort to make something special out of a dying vehicle’s last words. I recently spent a week with the Sublime green 2023 Challenger R/T Scat Pack Swinger Special Edition seen here and came away with some thoughts on the car, the Challenger experience, and the evolution of the vehicle since my few years owning a pre-facelift model.

Yay

• Perhaps the greatest look-back-at-it of any car today. Incredibly good looking, especially in wide body form and with the bronze wheels.
• The drivetrain is still solid. The 6.4L Hemi V8 is easy work with if not a bit underpowered due to the mass it has to haul around, but it sounds great and has no qualms getting the Challenger up to and maintaining speed. The 6-speed transmission is good, too, and the clutch is reasonably light considering what it has to deal with.
• UConnect has always been a good if not great infotainment system, and that continues to be the case here
• Coupe that can actually fit people and a baby seat in the back (& the LATCH points are painted body color!)
• Despite countless other “special” Challenger trims and no actual difference other than paint and decals, this Swinger Special Edition really does stand out (even if the name is silly).
• The straightforward gauges look great from the driver seat, as does the Shaker intake poking its head out the middle of the hood.

Nay

• It’s old and it feels it, from a materials, ergonomics, and interface standpoint.
• You sit up very high, which isn’t great for finding a comfortable position to operate the clutch.
• At roughly 4,400 pounds, the Challenger is far and away too heavy for making good on the promises its styling exudes.
• The wide tires mean the car tramlines whenever it finds an open groove on the road.
• Price creep has affected the Challenger drastically. In 2015 when it debuted, the Challenger R/T Scat Pack carried a base MSRP of around $40k. The base price of the car seen here is $47,265, which isn’t a huge jump, but with the added packages it rings in at $66,815 (For reference, the 2015 Hellcat was around $61k).

Final Say

The third-generation Challenger has been on sale longer than any vehicle really should be, but booming sales and a nonstop injection of a “because we can” mentality towards special trims and additional power has kept it alive and well against newcomers and cars that are better in every capacity. And yet, the Challenger has a charm all its own. It’s not the optimal driver’s choice for a back road, but it’s a hell of a cruiser, makes good noises, and, in a spec like the one seen here, is a truly striking thing to look at. The Scat Pack will get its doors blown off it by many similarly-priced sports cars, but it handily outdoes the macho, timeless curb appeal and menacing presence of them all. I’d skip on hitting the ultra-tight back road when piloting the big Dodge, but from a cool factor and nostalgia factor, there’s just nothing like the Challenger.