Your Mom Drives a Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody!
Dream cars come in all shapes and sizes.
Like Billie Eilish, this American muscle car is on my list, too. This 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody ponies up real fast with 485 horsepower and a 6.4L V8 SRT HEMI MDS engine. (SRT stands for street and racing technology, while the RT is all about the road and track.) The Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody starts at $39,245, and this particular ride is $57,295. With a combined fuel economy of 18 mpg, you have options like the eco mode, so you can save at the pump. But if you’re driving this coupe, you’re not so much concerned with fuel efficiency as you are focused on performance power, braking control, and an aggressive roar.
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Hits You Right in the Feels
At first glance, the Dodge Challenger gives me goosebumps. I’ve had two muscle cars before mom life, and I’ve longed for that roar under the hood again. This car is versatile and spacious in the cabin with a trunk to carry all of the groceries and more. Although this might not be the first car that comes to mind when thinking about a family vehicle, it sure does for me! Ok, moms, before you give me that stare, let me clarify why this car can still give you the nostalgia of those younger joyriding days— without compromising safety for the whole family. Here are the reasons I loved it from the inside-out.
Spacious, Safe, and Sporty
There’s a different family car for every family and my family prefers this widebody over a van any day. Every family has different needs, schedules, and preferences. I have one child, so I can still justify purchasing a car like this these days. If you have a spouse and up to two kids, all four of you can fit comfortably. The trunk is large enough for everyone’s gear, groceries, and other errands. It’s ideal for a trip if everyone packs one piece of luggage. And if you’re curious if you can get two car seats installed in the backseat, the answer is yes.
Once you get the hang of the seatbelt and latch process, the locking system with the latch makes it super easy to keep the car seat safely in its place. There’s enough space above the car seat, so your child isn’t grazing the roof of the car. There’s also enough space between the child and the back of the seat, which means no kicking in range. However, if your child has longer legs, you can still move up the seat and feel far enough away from the dashboard.
Why I Loved the Safety Features on this Baddie
For safety, whether you’re backing up, driving on the highway, or cruising around town, the driver-assist features saved the day for me.
I loved that it alerted me to brake when it appeared traffic was still moving but it had suddenly stopped about four car lengths ahead of me. With this alert, I had ample time to ease into the brake. When backing up, it will also alert you with the exact angle and what is clear of or obstructing your path. This is important especially when there are tons of children and pedestrians roaming within our neighborhood. I’m grateful for this and the blind spot feature, too. Technology allows us the opportunity to drive safely more than ever before.
Modern American Muscle but Still Retro
With classic nods to the past, your family can create modern memories in style. The Challenger gives us a burst of classic American muscle with the retro Super Bee, Widebody fender flares, vintage gas cap, vents, and the intake scoop. These exterior details visually put together this dream car in all the right ways. But those big wheels and brakes aren’t just for looks and added expenses!
Related: Why I Bought My Dream Car: the Dodge Challenger SRT
Buckle Up, She’s Ready to Go
The 20-inch by 11-inch Devil’s Rim forged aluminum wheels and Pirelli tires rely on the 6-Piston Brembo brakes and red calipers to stop this powerful beauty on a dime. After launching this car, it’s clear that this car wants to go, so be ready for adventure. It inspired me to plan a road trip in all of its handling and comfort on the road. Now that you know what’s under the hood and a safe pick for your family to enjoy, let’s talk about some of the essentials from the remote-start system to the infotainment. I’ve got the perfect playlist for it, too.
The Remote-Start System Will Warm Your Heart, Butt, and ROI
When it is cold outside, who has time to sit in an icebox normally known as a car? Thawing out your car can take some time, and if you can help reduce that downtime, wouldn’t you take the chance? The Challenger’s climate control, upon the remote-start, pressed twice on the key fob, helps your car warm up before you can get downstairs and/or out the door and on your way. Then you can also adjust the ventilated front seats to either warm up or cool down depending on the weather. With the fluctuating winter weather, one of the days was in the 80s, so I tested the Challenger for cooler temperatures inside of the car after remote-starting it. Whether you’re in a hot place like Miami or a colder climate like Chicago, this remote-start and climate control feature is a major return on investment. (Check your state’s laws beforehand to ensure you can remote-start it for a period of time before entering the car.)
An Infotainment Plus 18 Harman Kardon Speakers Will Give You All That Bass!
The Dodge Challenger uses its infotainment system Uconnect, which hooks up to your phone via Apple CarPlay, Google Android Auto, or Bluetooth and onto the 8.4-inch display. I always test the speakers with my favorite bands like Underoath, A Day to Remember, and Dance Gavin Dance to name a few of them. Why? I want to hear the music in the way the car was meant to encapsulate a concert on the road. Normally, there are 6 speakers, but this one has the upgrade for the Harman Kardon Audio Group with the Subwoofer. This consists of the Harman Kardon GreenEdge amplifier, 18 speakers premium audio system with the trunk-mounted subwoofer and surround sound. It’s hard to pinpoint all of the speaker locations, and with the subwoofer, you’re all in for a front-row concert experience. I live for performance cars and a solid audio system like this one.
Switch Up the Drive Mode and Power It Down for Trips to the Valet
To improve the most bang for your buck at the pump, select the drive mode on the infotainment center. On this menu, you can select different modes for street, track, eco mode, and valet. I liked the stiffer handling of the street mode, but my husband liked the track mode feel, where he had to give more effort into steering but it gave the car more power. And if you’re reading this thinking about purchasing it for a teen instead of your own daily driver, moms, you can set it to eco mode.
But if you’re sure they’ll change it upon you, fear not! You can select the valet mode, where it takes away the gusto a little bit, but you can enter a passcode so the drive mode cannot be adjusted. Any Ferris Bueller fans out there? The best way to avoid someone joyriding when you drop your car off at the valet or in the hands of an eager teen, the valet mode will be your best friend. (Sorry, kids! The secret is out.)
Related: The 2020 Dodge Charger Widebody: Family Sedan Meets Muscle Car
Embracing the Power Within Without Giving Up Who You are is Key
The 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody is the perfect family car for small or new families. When I became a mom, things changed within me and the way everyone else offered up advice. Safety is always top of mind, so if it is safe, it is a strong contender. From the brakes, drive modes, climate control for comfort, hands-free calling, spaciousness, and easy car seat latching systems, you can have it all, moms! Start the car from the comfort of your home and adapt it into your morning routine on the way out the door. When it is time to leave, use the driver-assist features to help you visualize your path behind you when backing up. Pair up these features with blind-spot and rear cross-path detection, and it’s clear to see that this versatile street, racing, and track car can be the one to remind you to never lose that roar or sense of self-identity.
What We Listened to While Driving
Categorized:Car Reviews Sports Cars
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