How long and wide is a Challenger?
Two well-known Challengers sit on very different footprints: the Space Shuttle Challenger, a spacecraft from NASA’s shuttle fleet, and the Dodge Challenger, a modern American muscle car. The shuttle is measured in feet across its wings and along its body, while the car is measured in inches for length and width. In brief: the shuttle is about 122 feet long and roughly 78 feet wide across the wings; the Dodge Challenger is about 198 inches long and about 75 inches wide (body), with mirrors adding a few inches more.
Space Shuttle Challenger: length and wingspan
The orbiter Challenger, designated OV-099, followed a fixed blueprint shared by its sister orbiters. Its size was chosen to fit within the stack arrangement and to clear the rollout and landing requirements for the fleet. Here are the core dimensions that defined its silhouette in flight and on the launch pad.
Size at a glance for the Challenger orbiter:
- Length: 122 feet 0 inches (37.2 meters)
- Wingspan: 78 feet 0 inches (23.8 meters)
- Height: 57 feet 0 inches (17.4 meters)
In summary, the Space Shuttle Challenger measured about 122 feet in length and roughly 78 feet across its wings, with a tall vertical stabilizer that pushed the overall height toward the upper end of its category.
Dodge Challenger: length and width
For the Dodge Challenger, dimensions vary by model year and trim, but the modern iterations sit within a consistent footprint that emphasizes a wide, muscular stance. The following figures reflect typical measurements for recent production years.
Typical current-generation numbers (roughly 2015–2023 models):
- Length: about 197.6 inches (≈ 16.5 feet)
- Width (excluding mirrors): about 75.4 inches (≈ 6.3 feet)
- Width (including mirrors): about 83.0 inches (≈ 6.9 feet)
These dimensions give the Challenger its characteristic broad profile, contributing to its road presence and driving feel, especially with performance packages and wider tires.
Summary
When people speak of a Challenger, they may mean either a spacecraft or a car. The Space Shuttle Challenger orbiter is about 122 feet long and about 78 feet wide across the wings, with a height of around 57 feet. The Dodge Challenger car measures roughly 198 inches in length and about 75 inches in width (body), with mirrors widening the total width by several inches. Both carry the Challenger name, but their physical footprints sit at opposite ends of the size spectrum.
Which car is longer, Challenger or Charger?
It's even bigger. And we're not talking about a rounding error here; the 2025 Charger is 206.5 inches long. That's just a touch under 9 inches longer than the Challenger and more than 8 inches longer than the old Charger.
Can a 55 inch TV fit in a Dodge Challenger?
The TV is secured 55 in in the back of a Challenger you can fit up to a 65 inch TV in the back of a Dodge Challenger.
What year challengers to stay away from?
Years to generally avoid for the Dodge Challenger are 2009, 2011–2013, and 2015, due to issues like airbag defects, alternator failure, and transmission problems. The 2012 model is particularly noted for having the most complaints on sites like CarComplaints.com, with frequent alternator and transmission issues.
Model years to avoid
- 2009: Known for problems like engine shutdown and check engine lights, often related to the crankshaft position sensor.
- 2011–2013: These years had widespread issues including alternator failure, problems with the new eight-speed transmission, and some electrical issues with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). The 2012 model year is frequently cited as the worst due to the combination of these issues.
- 2015: Prone to electrical issues, including problems with the cruise control system and harsh transmission shifting.
Common problems in these years
- Airbag defects: Many models from 2008-2013 had faulty airbag inflators that could rupture.
- Engine and electrical problems: Common issues include alternator failure, especially in 2011-2014 models, and problems with the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module), which controls many of the car's electrical systems.
- Transmission issues: Early versions of the eight-speed automatic transmission in the 2012 and 2015 models were known for harsh shifting and other problems.
How to mitigate risks
- Verify recalls: Before purchasing any used Challenger, especially from one of these years, check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to ensure all recalls have been addressed.
- Check for service alerts: Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) can provide insight into common problems and potential repair procedures.
- Consider newer models: Newer models, particularly from 2019-2023, generally have a better reliability record.
How wide is a Challenger?
A standard Dodge Challenger is about 75.7 inches wide without mirrors, while the "Widebody" versions are significantly wider, reaching up to 79.2 inches or more. The overall width with mirrors included is approximately 85.4 inches.
| Model | Width (without mirrors) | Width (with mirrors) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Challenger | ~75.7 inches | ~85.4 inches |
| Widebody Challenger | ~79.2 inches | ~85.4 inches |
(this||self).Wufxzb=function(c,e,f,l,k){var d=document.getElementById(c);if(d&&(d.offsetWidth!==0||d.offsetHeight!==0)){c=d.querySelector("div");var g=c.scrollWidth-c.offsetWidth,h=Math.min(e?g:0,g);c.scrollLeft=e&&(l||f)?0:h;var a=d.getElementsByTagName("g-left-button")[0],b=d.getElementsByTagName("g-right-button")[0];a&&b&&(e=RegExp("\\btHT0l\\b"),f=RegExp("\\bpQXcHc\\b"),a.className=a.className.replace(e,""),b.className=b.className.replace(e,""),h===0?a.className="pQXcHc "+a.className:(a.className=
a.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("pA30Ne")),h===g?b.className="pQXcHc "+b.className:(b.className=b.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("FpCCub")),setTimeout(function(){a.className+=" tHT0l";b.className+=" tHT0l"},50))}};}).call(this);(function(){var id='_-80labdVg6yL6A_r9vKBBw_114';var rtl=false;var gecko=false;var edge=false;var soh=false;
(this||self).Wufxzb(id,rtl,gecko,edge,soh);})();
