On paper, the Challenger Rallye Redline looks pretty excessive. The engine has only six cylinders, but it still makes 305 hp, enough to hustle this car around at police-annoying speeds. The stereo, which is the second of three levels (it's an optional extra, but audiophiles can pay extra for a more capable setup), is ear-splittingly loud. The wheels are 20-inchers; while this won't impress your local rap superstar, they're still really big. "Really big" also describes the Challenger's body, which appears to have eaten a smaller muscle car on its way to your driveway.

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With that said, the V-6 Rallye Redline Challenger is a good trim level because it's less excessive than you might think. The car rides well and has a comfortable interior (albeit one you can't see out of), while the V-6 engine will return 27 mpg EPA highway. The Challenger doesn't handle like a Mustang or a Camaro, and it would lose to both in a drag race (to be honest, it handles like a pull-out couch and would lose to a 2013 Honda Accord V-6 coupe in the quarter-mile), but most Challenger V-6 drivers couldn't care less.

The Challenger Rallye Redline brings all of the muscle car look and feel to the table but skips the huge gas bills, weighty clutch pedal, stiff suspension, and expensive tires. In other words, it ticks all of the right boxes for "muscle car looks" but leaves the questions of performance to other cars.

Ben Timmins,Associate Web Editor

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God bless remote start. Not only does it warm the car in single-digit winter temperatures but it also makes it easier for me to tolerate having an automatic transmission in such a sporty car.

It seems silly that the automatic transmission has only five forward speeds, though, what with the related Charger offering an eight-speed automatic with this engine. While we're talking about fundamental engineering changes that don't make sense for Chrysler's bottom line, it'd also be wonderful if the Challenger were about a foot narrower. This car feels simply massive, so even though it looks sporty, it doesn't feel that way.

The Redline model looks pretty cool in red and black. Even the wheels have red rings on the perimeter and red on the inner-bowl portion. I also love this vintage-style hood. In this instance, being straight outta 1970 is a good thing.

Rusty Blackwell,Copy Editor

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Rallye Redline

MSRP (with destination):$30,690

PRICE AS TESTED:$33,255

ENGINE:

3.6-liter DOHC V-6

Horsepower (hp): 305 @ 6350rpm

Torque (lb-ft): 268 @ 4800rpm

TRANSMISSION:

5-speed automatic

DRIVE:

Rear-wheel

WHEELS AND TIRES:

20-inch aluminum wheels

245/45R-20 99V Firestone Firehawk GT tires

FUEL ECONOMY (city/highway/combined):

18/27/21 mpg

CURB WEIGHT:

3834lb

CAPACITIES:

Doors/Passengers: 2/5

Cargo: 16.2cu ft

Legroom (front/rear): 42.0/32.6 in

Headroom (front/rear): 39.3/37.4 in

Towing: 1000lb

EXTERIOR/INTERIOR COLOR:

Black/Slate Gray and Radar Red

STANDARD FEATURES:

Automatic headlights

Fog lights

Rear spoiler

SiriusXM satellite radio w/one-year trial subscription

6-speaker Boston Acoustics audio system

Heated front seats

Performance steering and suspension

3.06 rear axle ratio

Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity

Sport mode

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

USB port

Red racing stripe

20-inch black-chrome aluminum wheels

Rear parking assist

Keyless entry and ignition

Cruise control

OPTIONS ON THIS VEHICLE:

Sound Group II- $1295

Uconnect 430 6.5-inch touchscreen w/40GB hard drive

7-speaker Boston Acoustics audio system w/subwoofer and amplifier

Uconnect 430N navigation- $595

SiriusXM travel link w/one-year subscription

Electronics Convenience group- $750

Remote start

Temperature gauge, compass, and tire pressure display

Homelink

Alarm

Heated exterior mirrors

Spare tire delete- $75

KEY OPTIONS NOT ON THIS VEHICLE:

Power sunroof- $995Uconnect 730N navigation- $790Mopar interior appearance- $945

ADDITIONAL SPECS:

Rallye Redline trim debuted in spring of last year and returns for 2013. The more modest 430N navigation system is updated with crisper graphics and more accurate guidance.

COMPARE TO:

Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis