By the Numbers: Chevrolet SS, Pontiac G8 GXP, Dodge Charger R/T, Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec
SS and Competition By the Specs
Suddenly, the Dodge Charger has real competition again in the form of the 2014 Chevrolet SS. This highly anticipated rear-drive, eight-cylinder full-size sedan picks up where the Pontiac G8 left off, and while we don't know just how long the SS will last in the U.S., we'll enjoy its presence for as long as we can. It's been a few years since Chevrolet has offered a sedan like this, and we're wondering: When it comes to basic performance and interior space specs, how does the SS compare to cars like the Charger R/T, the more expensive Genesis 5.0 R-Spec, or even the discontinued Pontiac G8 GXP? Keep reading to find out.
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Along with the Dodge, the Chevrolet will most likely be available for around $40,000, while we've included the Hyundai just for fun, even though its base price is closer to $50,000. As you might expect, the 2014 Chevrolet SS and 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP sedans share similar dimensions and the same wheelbase length, while the Dodge Charger R/T is 4.4 inches longer than the Chevrolet. The Chevrolet and Hyundai recommend but don't require 91-octane fuel, while the Dodge recommends but doesn't require 89-octane.
Only the long-gone Pontiac offered a manual-transmission of this foursome, and in our testing, the G8 GXP's 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds beat that of the Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec and Dodge Charger R/T. As for the 2014 Chevrolet SS, we're looking forward to getting one in for official Motor Trend testing, but until that happens, all we have to go by is the automaker's estimate that the sprint will be completed in about 5.0 seconds.
Until we can perform a full comparison test, check out the basic specs below and read our 2014 Chevrolet SS First Look.
Powertrain
Horsepower:
Chevrolet SS 6.2L V-8: 415 hp @ 5900 rpm
Dodge Charger R/T 5.7L V-8: 370 hp @ 5250 rpm
Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec 5.0L V-8: 429 hp @ 6400 rpm
Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2L V-8*: 402 hp @ 6000 rpm (est.)
Torque:
Chevrolet SS 6.2L V-8: 415 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm
Dodge Charger R/T 5.7L V-8: 395 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec 5.0L V-8: 376 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2L V-8: 400-402 lb-ft @ 4400 (est. with 6A, 6M)
0-60 MPH (all times are MT-tested except SS):
Chevrolet SS: "About 5.0 seconds" (early GM est. )
Dodge Charger R/T: 5.3
Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec: 4.8
Pontiac G8 GXP: 4.5
Dimensions and Interior Space
Length/Width/Height:
Chevrolet SS: 195.5/74.7/57.9 in
Dodge Charger R/T: 199.9/75.0/58.4
Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec: 196.3/74.4/58.1
Pontiac G8 GXP: 196.1/74.8/57.7
Wheelbase:
Chevrolet SS: 114.8 in
Dodge Charger R/T: 120.2
Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec: 115.6
Pontiac G8 GXP: 114.8
Legroom front/rear:
Chevrolet SS: 42.3/39.7 in
Dodge Charger R/T: 41.8/40.1
Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec: 44.3/38.6
Pontiac G8 GXP: 42.2/39.4
Manufacturer-Claimed Curb Weight:
Chevrolet SS: Not Yet Available
Dodge Charger R/T: 4253 pounds
Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec: 4046
Pontiac G8 GXP: 4050
*G8 GXP specs from June 2008 GM press release.
Source: GM, Dodge, Hyundai
I’ve come a long way since I drove sugar packets across restaurant tables as a kid, pretending they were cars. With more than 17 years of experience, I'm passionate about demystifying the new car market for shoppers and enthusiasts. My expertise comes from thoughtfully reviewing countless vehicles across the automotive spectrum. The greatest thrill I get isn’t just from behind the wheel of an exotic car but from a well-executed car that’s affordable, entertaining, and well-made. Since about the time I learned to walk I’ve been fascinated by cars of all shapes and sizes, but it wasn’t until I struggled through a summer high school class at the Pasadena Art Center College of Design that I realized writing was my ticket into the automotive industry. My drive to high school was magical, taking me through a beautiful and winding canyon; I've never lost the excited feeling some 16-year-olds get when they first set out on the road. The automotive industry, singing, and writing have always been my passions, but because no one seeks a writer who sings about the automotive industry, I honed my writing and editing skills at UC Irvine (zot zot!), serving as an editor of the official campus newspaper and writing stories as a literary journalism major. At USC, I developed a much greater appreciation for broadcast journalists and became acquainted with copy editing rules such as why the Oxford comma is so important. Though my beloved 1996 Audi A4 didn’t survive my college years, my career with MotorTrend did. I started at the company in 2007 building articles for motorcycle magazines, soon transitioning to writing news posts for MotorTrend’s budding online department. I spent some valuable time in the copy editing department, as an online news director, and as a senior production editor. Today, MotorTrend keeps me busy as the Buyer's Guide Director. Not everyone has a career centered on one of their passions, and I remind myself all the time how lucky I am.
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