Toyota Supra vs Dodge Challenger

The 2023 Toyota Supra, known as the "GR Supra" for Gazoo Racing, was unmistakably a sports car with its low-slung design, long hood, and rear-set cabin. This two-door coupe was not designed to accommodate more than two passengers, unlike the Toyota GR 86, which had a rear seat suitable only for children. The Supra's oversized fenders and sloping roofline emphasized its sporty nature, and despite sharing a platform with the BMW Z4, it maintained a distinct visual identity with a busier front fascia and numerous cut-outs and vents. Inside, the Supra featured a small infotainment screen, a row of buttons below the central air vents, and physical climate controls. The interior was predominantly black, but the A91 trim offered a hazelnut leather option for a touch of elegance.

The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost was based on the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody, boasting a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine with 807 horsepower. Inspired by a legendary 1970 Challenger, the Black Ghost featured Pitch Black paint, retro chrome accents, and a "gator skin" roof graphic. Its old-school detailing contrasted with the modern trend of blacked-out aesthetics, giving it a vintage appeal. The interior offered luxury touches like premium Laguna leather upholstery and genuine carbon fiber trim, though it was overlaid on less expensive plastic. The Challenger's design, rooted in 1970s styling, had remained largely unchanged since 2008, contributing to its retro charm. Despite its age, the Challenger's build quality was commendable, and it offered a spacious interior with a large trunk, making it more practical than its rivals.

The 2023 Toyota Supra offered a choice between two engines. The base 2.0 trim featured a four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the real excitement lay in the 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, producing 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. This turbocharged straight-six engine made the Supra 3.0, weighing around 3,400 pounds, incredibly fast, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds with the automatic transmission and 4.2 seconds with the manual. The manual transmission, introduced in 2023, added a layer of engagement for driving enthusiasts, despite slightly slower acceleration and lower fuel efficiency compared to the automatic. The Supra's driving experience was enhanced by features like Normal, Sport, and Individual drive modes, as well as a new Hairpin+ function for improved cornering on uphill gradients.

The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, with its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, delivered a staggering 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. The car's acceleration was described as stupefying, with the supercharger whine filling the cabin as it surged forward. The Challenger's size and weight made it feel less nimble on twisty roads compared to rivals like the Camaro and Mustang, but its adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, and sticky Pirelli tires provided a surprisingly good ride and handling. The Challenger offered Auto, Sport, and Track driving modes, with Sport mode providing heavier steering and firmer suspension. However, the car's fuel economy was a downside, averaging 15.7 mpg during testing, with a range of about 290 miles on a full tank.

The 2023 Toyota Supra, as a two-seater sports car, offered limited practicality. Its liftback-style trunk provided 10.2 cubic feet of cargo space, more than competitors like the Nissan Z and Toyota GR 86. However, the Supra's interior was tight, with small windows and a high beltline contributing to a claustrophobic feel. The car's design made it unsuitable as a daily driver, with limited storage space and a violent buffeting issue when the windows were rolled down. Despite these drawbacks, the Supra's interior featured well-placed cupholders and a decently sized center-console cubby.

The 2023 Dodge Challenger, despite feeling larger and less nimble, offered substantial comfort and practicality. The Black Ghost's sport-bolstered, heated, and ventilated front seats were wide and comfortable, with six-way power adjustment for the driver. The Challenger's size allowed for a spacious interior, with a back seat that could comfortably accommodate passengers. The car's 16.2 cubic-foot trunk was larger than some family sedans, though the high loading lift-over height could be a challenge. The Challenger's interior design emphasized form over function, with driver-centric instrumentation and a center console contributing to its classic feel.

The 2023 Toyota Supra, while focused on performance, offered a range of technological conveniences. The Supra 2.0 featured a four-speaker stereo with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB inputs. The 3.0 trim level added a 10-speaker stereo, while the 3.0 Premium and A91 trims included a 12-speaker JBL stereo, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. However, the lack of CarPlay on lower trims was a disappointment, and the Supra's tech offerings were not groundbreaking.

The 2023 Dodge Challenger, though not a high-tech automobile, featured the Uconnect 4 touchscreen infotainment system and driver information display. The Black Ghost's 8.4-inch display provided access to Performance Pages, allowing drivers to choose driving modes, review performance metrics, and activate launch control. The system included wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming audio, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Challenger's age was evident in its use of knobs and buttons for volume and climate control, but this approach minimized driver distraction.

The 2023 Toyota Supra came equipped with a range of advanced driver assistance safety (ADAS) features. Standard equipment included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, stability control, traction control, and brake assist. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic emergency braking. While blind-spot monitoring was not standard, the Supra's safety features were commendable for a sports car.

The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost offered limited safety features. It included traction and stability control, a low-resolution reversing camera, rear parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights, and a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. However, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control were unavailable. The Challenger received high marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but less favorable ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).