2017 Dodge Viper review
Brashly styled and brutally quick, the two-seat Dodge Viper is an unapologetic sports car offering minimal comfort and impressive speed. Compared to the original Viper unleashed in 1992, the final iteration is positively luxurious when you consider the original model didn’t include air conditioning or side windows. Viper fans love knowing a V10 engine always sends power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. The ride is firm, the cabin is loud, and the driving experience is a riot. The rough-hewn nature of this hulking American sports car is both its biggest draw and flaw.
Explore the evolution of the Dodge Viper
Get our expert take on used Dodge Viper models, or view year-by-year changes.
Fifth generation Dodge Viper
After 25 years, the 2017 Viper marked the end of the road for this audacious American sports car. For its final model year, the Viper remained true to its original macho-infused blueprint. Up front is an 8.4-liter V10 sending power to the rear wheels courtesy of a six-speed manual transmission. If you want an automatic supercar, you have to shop elsewhere.
Its firm ride and muscle-building clutch pedal mean it takes a brave soul to use the Viper as a daily driver. Be mindful of the side-exit exhaust, too. While less precarious than in earlier Vipers, the doorsills can get mighty toasty after an extended drive. On the plus side, the handling is outstanding and road grip is incredible thanks to the Viper’s steamroller-sized tires.
While the cabin is hardly luxurious, the Uconnect® infotainment system and its 8.4-inch touchscreen deserve credit for being easy to use. The upward-swinging rear hatch also reveals a reasonable amount of cargo space. There’s easily enough room for a weekend’s worth of luggage—especially since the firm, purpose-built seats and loud cabin likely limit how long you’re willing to travel during Viper-based getaways.
Model highlights
Head-turning shape
Incredible acceleration
Six-speed manual gearbox
User-friendly infotainment system
14.4-cubic-foot trunk with wide-opening hatch
Sharp handling and outstanding road grip
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2013 - 2017
2017 Dodge Viper
2016 Dodge Viper
Highlights
Track-focused ACR debuted with carbon-fiber rear wing and front splitter, adjustable suspension settings, extra chassis stiffening, and carbon-ceramic brakes
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2015 Dodge Viper
Highlights
Rearview camera, Harman Kardon® audio system, and side airbags became standard
Five-horsepower increase in engine output (645 horsepower) and revised six-speed manual
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Nick Kurczewski has been writing about cars for more than 20 years, and his enthusiasm for journalism has led him to cover auto-related stories around the world. From blasting down the German autobahn to covering every major auto show, his stories have appeared in the New York Times, Car and Driver, U.S. News & World Report, Kelley Blue Book, Cars.com and the New York Daily News, where he served as head editor. Having once aspired to be a Formula One racer, Nick discovered sharing his passion for cars as a journalist is just as thrilling as dreaming of pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix.
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