2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD: The Muscle Car Built for Any Weather

The last time I did a 180-degree spin in my car in the snow, I was 18 years old. The ground was slick with white powder covering a layer of ice underneath. I was driving a friend and my younger sister to school; a rabbit darted across the road, and I instinctively hit the brakes. My 1977 Dodge Aspen spun around, ending up facing the opposite direction. It was pure luck that no one else was on that stretch of country road and that we didn’t collide with a tree.

I learned a valuable lesson from that experience. I became determined to learn how to steer out of a fishtail and how to recognize when extra caution was needed behind the wheel. Part of that knowledge comes with age, of course – more years driving improved my reaction time, experience, and judgment.

Having lived in the southern part of the United States for the past 18 years, my edge for driving in snow and ice has dulled significantly. So, when the opportunity arose to test drive the new 2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD on the snowy roads of Maine and New Hampshire, I was incredibly excited. The Challenger is Dodge’s classic two-door coupe muscle car, an enduring icon of the American automotive landscape.

Take the Challenger GT Anywhere: Mastering Pavement, Dirt, and Snow

Waking up in my hotel room in downtown Portland (what a charming city!), I opened the curtains to see a fleet of Challengers in a vibrant spectrum of colors lined up along the curb, ready for the drive. Go Mango, Green Go, Tor Red, Contusion Blue, and Yellow Jacket created a rainbow of 305 horsepower machines.

My driving partner, the engaging and witty Micah Muzio from Kelley Blue Book, and I headed out. He took the first driving leg, as I wanted to experience the car from the passenger seat and take notes. Micah used his attachable GoPro for filming, and we paused a few times to adjust angles, giving me a chance to examine other aspects of the car.

Finally, My Turn to Drive This Stunning Red Muscle Car

Midway through our journey, we swapped seats. We had stopped at a small rest area apparently famous for its homemade whoopee pies, though none were available by the time we arrived, sadly.

Buckling in, I pulled out onto the route, with Micah navigating. The smooth takeoff of the Challenger GT surprised me – I guess I had expected a more abrupt start from the iconic muscle car. I tested the pickup and braking action several times, getting a feel for its merging and stopping capabilities. Interestingly, the new Challenger’s suspension was built using components from the Dodge Charger All Wheel Drive pursuit sedan.

modern day muscle cars continue to evolve, and the Challenger GT AWD is a prime example, blending classic style with modern capability.

Flying Under the Radar (Or Not)

In a small New Hampshire town, a county police officer appeared in my rearview mirror while I was in a 30 MPH zone. I was on my best behavior for several miles. Perhaps choosing the bright red Challenger wasn’t the best strategy for remaining inconspicuous. Luckily, my strict adherence to the speed limit saved me from a ticket.

We traveled through the upper Northeast across paved roads, snowy sections, patches of indeterminate black ice, and even a dirt road covered in powder. In other words, we encountered many typical conditions a driver might face in a wintery part of the country. Roughly 100 miles later, we reached Club Motorsports in Tamworth, New Hampshire.

At the track, Dodge had set up a skid pad (a circular area in the snow for practicing spins and fishtailing), a rally track (featuring sharp turns to practice steering out of skids in the snow), and a straightaway to test acceleration. The skid pad was my favorite part because it allowed me to spin the car completely around in the slippery snow if I desired.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I hadn’t lost my knack for winter driving. The Challenger’s Vehicle Dynamic Control made it remarkably easy to steer away from a skid and regain control. Wyatt Knox, a professional driver from Team O’Neil Rally School, instructed me to look in the direction I wanted the car to go, and the vehicle would follow my lead. Wyatt is a multiple-time rally champion, so I was fortunate to have him coaching me.

The 2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD in red, demonstrating its ability to handle snowy conditions with style and confidence.

The Challenger: Engineered by Women

If you watch the annual Barrett-Jackson automotive auction, as I do, you’ll see a steady stream of muscle cars. The market for them is booming, and the Challenger is no exception. First conceived in 1958, Dodge’s most enduring coupe is now in its fourth generation.

But just because it’s labeled a “muscle car” doesn’t mean it’s exclusively designed by men. Consider this: the chief engineer is a woman, and her team includes several other women. Allison Rahm (pronounced “Ram,” like the FCA truck division) trained as a mechanical engineer at the University of Windsor before moving across the border and joining Dodge 20 years ago. She expresses her enthusiasm for the Challenger GT AWD’s control, extra traction, and stability, stating you can feel confident in its abilities.

“It also makes me look good,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t want to just drive an appliance. I want style. It does everything, and it’s still a reflection of my personality.”

All Wheel Drive Enhances the Challenger’s Capability

For the 2017 model year, the Challenger GT received a significant update: All Wheel Drive. As Allison and brand manager Ben Lyon explained during our pre-drive briefing, the car functions as Rear Wheel Drive when that is sufficient and seamlessly switches to All Wheel Drive when needed.

To clarify, the all-wheel-drive system engages under specific conditions:

• When the outside temperature is low.
• When the windshield wipers are in operation.
• During quick acceleration (for example, when passing another vehicle).

As the driver, you won’t notice the transition from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive; it is smooth and imperceptible. This intelligent system is a key feature of the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD, making it exceptionally versatile.

The Driving Experience: 2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD

Applying pressure to the accelerator felt very natural and comfortable, as did using the brake. I truly felt the power of the Challenger on the straightaway at Club Motorsports. It confidently plowed through slush and snow and handled the twists and turns of the rally course effectively. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m not a huge fan of manual transmission (quite embarrassing for someone interested in cars!). I much prefer an automatic transmission with paddle shifters, which the Challenger GT conveniently features.

Allison mentioned that the Challenger instilled confidence, and I certainly felt that sense of assurance as I navigated both the public roads and the motorsport courses. While Micah took his turn on the snow track, I explored the other cars on-site and found ample storage spaces for my keys, garage door opener, phone charger, and purse. By the time we returned to the hotel in Portland, I was reluctant to part with the Challenger. I pictured my 7-year-old son in the back seat in his booster and felt comfortable that this could be a car that could accommodate our family’s growth.

Considering the level of power and versatility, especially for those residing in northern states, the price point is quite reasonable. The base price for the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD is $33,395. The specific GT model I drove had a sticker price of $39,765, which included options such as a power sunroof and the GT Interior package with premium seats and an upgraded sound system.

Key Facts: 2017 Dodge Challenger GT

Here’s what you need to know about the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD:

• It’s a two-door coupe muscle car.
• Bucket seats provide support and comfort for the driver and passenger with various settings.
• The back seats offer sufficient legroom for both children and adults.
• The trunk is notably spacious, large enough to accommodate items like skis, various sports equipment (hockey, football, basketball), four suitcases for a road trip, and a substantial grocery haul from stores like Costco.
• It features two cupholders in the center console and one in each door.
• Fuel economy ratings are 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway (EPA estimates).
• It is equipped with a 305 horsepower V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Select Options for Buyers:

For those considering purchasing a 2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD, here are a few available options:

• Engine Block Heater ($95): This addition warms the engine and engine oil, facilitating easier starts in cold weather and reducing startup wear.
• Driver Convenience Group: This package includes Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection systems. Blind Spot Monitoring assists when changing lanes while driving, and Rear Cross Path Detection is helpful when backing out of parking spots.
• GT Interior Package: This option enhances the interior with:
  • A 506-Watt Amplifier
  • 9 Speakers with Subwoofer
  • A Leather Performance Steering Wheel
  • The Sound Group II audio system
  • Suede / Nappa Performance Seats

Our Dodge Challenger GT Playlist

When I first got into the car in Maine, a classic rock station on SiriusXM was playing. Micah and I both enjoyed it and decided to keep it on for the rest of the day – it felt like the perfect soundtrack for driving this modern classic.

Disclosure: I was hosted by Dodge for this test drive. Travel and accommodations were provided, but the opinions and playlist are entirely my own.