Scorching halos

While Ford and General Motors have been putting their reputations for cheap, ugly interiors behind them, Chrysler Corp. -- its Dodge division in particular -- has been slow to embrace the idea that, yes, people still care what a car looks like once they get inside it.

Until now, perhaps. These things don't change overnight but at least the new Challenger's interior requires no apologies. It's disappointingly dull -- given the drama of the car's eye-catching sheetmetal, the inside deserves more than orange stripes on the seats -- but at least it's solidly assembled and things generally feel good.

The benefits of the Challenger's size come in form of interior roominess. The back seat can plausibly seat adults. The trunk is surprisingly capacious as well.

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