2013 Dodge Charger Overview

2013 Dodge Charger Overview

Overall User Score

5⁄5

Based on 3 reviews

Having undergone several chassis, body and interior upgrades during the 2011 model year, the 4-door Dodge Charger enters the 2013 model year virtually unchanged from 2012. Even so, potential buyers have quite a variety of trim levels. These trim choices are the SXT, SXT Plus, R/T, R/T Plus and R/T Max – each of which can be configured as rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Other RWD trims available include the SE, R/T Road and Track, SRT8 and SRT8 Super Bee, and Police.

The SE trim comes factory-equipped with a 3.6-liter Pentastar DOHC V6 VVT engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission that makes 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The SXT trims come with the same 3.6-liter engine, but are matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission with e-shifter, creating an additional 8 hp. The R/T trims are built with a 5.7-liter Hemi DOHC V8 VVT engine with fuel-saver technology and mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The SRT8 trims roll off the assembly line equipped with a 6.4-liter Hemi DOHC V8 VVT engine, also with fuel-saver technology, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 5.7-liter Hemi engine makes 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.4-liter Hemi engine reaches 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.

All 2013 Dodge Charger engines run on Flex-Fuel. The SE trim is estimated by the EPA to get 18 mpg city/27 highway, the SXT trims get 19/31, and the R/T trims get 16/25. Mileage estimates for the SRT8 and Police trims were not available as of publication date.

The SE trim of the 2013 Dodge Charger comes equipped with dual-zone air conditioning, cruise control, cloth seats, remote keyless entry, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a power 6-way driver’s seat, 6-speaker audio system with AM/FM radio and a single-CD player, 4.3-inch touchscreen display, halogen headlights and 17-inch painted aluminum wheels with all-season tires.

Additional standard features found on the SXT and RT trims include remote start, power heated exterior mirrors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with microphone, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, 8-way power driver’s seat with 4-way lumbar adjust, heated front bucket seats, a 6-speaker audio system with a 276-watt amplifier and one year of Sirius/XM satellite radio, 8.4-inch touchscreen display, HID headlights and fog lights. The R/T trims also come with 18-inch aluminum wheels with all-season performance tires. Upgrading to the R/T Plus or SXT Plus adds Nappa leather seats, a power adjustable passenger seat with 4-way lumbar adjust, heated rear seats, security alarm and 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels with all-season performance tires. The R/T Plus also gets performance disc brakes and suspension.

In addition to a bigger engine, the SRT8 trim gets perforated leather seats, ventilated front seats, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering column, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, power heated mirrors with memory, a Garmin navigation system, low-beam HID headlights, high-speed engine controller, 3-mode electronic stability control, rear backup camera and 20-inch aluminum SRT Design wheels. The SRT8 Super Bee has most of the same upgrades as the SRT8, but has performance cloth seating surfaces and 20-inch cast aluminum wheels. The R/T Road & Track adds a rear spoiler and power adjustable pedals, while the R/T Max trim adds a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning and a 10-speaker premium audio system with a 552-watt amplifier. The Police trim comes standard with dual-zone air conditioning, a 6-way power driver’s seat, heavy-duty cloth bucket seats, speed control, a unique performance suspension and 18-inch steel wheels with all-season performance tires.

Safety and security features found on all 2013 Dodge Charger trims include advanced multistage front airbags, supplemental front and rear side-curtain airbags, supplemental front seat-mounted side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, ready alert braking and rain brake support, all-speed traction control, electronic stability control, hill start assist, a tire pressure monitoring system and a theft deterrent system.

The 2013 Dodge Charger finds itself in a competitive category, trying to carve a niche into the affordable large sedan category. The Charger is among the most powerful cars in the category, going up against the likes of the Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus and Toyota Avalon. More athletic and roomier than similar competition, the Charger is poised to remain a favorite of buyers looking for a lot of power to go with their comfort and convenience.