The last time we saw a Dodge Charger was in the late 1980s, and by that point, the car had evolved into a boxy subcompact hatchback. The new Charger is completely different and much more muscular than when we last saw it. Though it’s a full-size car, Dodge has managed to make the Charger look somewhat sporty with long lines, smooth curves, and a retro-future style that works well on the large sedan.
Inside, there’s room to spare, and the Charger’s sparsely populated cabin adds to the feeling of openness and space. Dodge has added some retro-inspired touches to the Charger’s cockpit, with a four-spoke steering wheel and separate gauges in the instrument cluster. There’s a good deal of plastic in the expansive center stack, but the controls are easy to read and sensibly laid out. Backseat passengers are treated to acres of room but not much else, as the Charger is lacking in the accessory department back there. A fold-down armrest and window controls are the only accents in an otherwise blank backseat.
It’s hard to ignore a Hemi. Even though the Charger is a large car, both the 5.7-liter V8 in the Charger R/T and the 6.1-liter V8 in the Charger SRT8 are more than powerful enough to scorch the tires. The SRT8 can make the run from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds, which is a time that rivals many very expensive sports cars.
Even the more pedestrian versions of the car feel quick, thanks to the Chrysler-sourced 3.5-liter V6 engine. It produces 250 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is quiet and refined but can provide a healthy punch when pushed. All versions of the Charger come with an automatic transmission.
Fuel economy is respectable, despite the Charger’s healthy proportions. Models equipped with the 3.5-liter engine are rated at 17 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined. The 5.7-liter engine features cylinder deactivation tech that “turns off” four of the eight cylinders in certain situations to conserve fuel, which helps it achieve an EPA rating of 15 mpg city, 23 highway, and 18 combined. The SRT8, with its 6.1-liter V8 does not have that feature and suffers abysmal fuel economy numbers as a result. The most muscular Charger is rated at 13 mpg city, 18 highway, and 15 combined.
The Charger is a big car, there’s no way around that fact. But Dodge has made use of all that real estate to keep everyone comfortable in the car’s cabin. Nearly 42 inches of front legroom and over 56 inches of hip-room is more than enough for the tallest and largest passengers, and though the seat adjustments are manual in the lower trim levels, there is still a high enough level of movement to accommodate most people. Dodge made good use of all that real estate with plenty of small-item storage and large spaces in the center console, glove box, and door panels.
Because of its size, the Charger may not be the best choice for people living in tight urban areas, and its 120-inch wheelbase makes tight turns difficult. That said, people wanting cargo space that absolutely have to have a car over a utility vehicle will be well served by the Charger’s cavernous 16.2 cubic feet of storage.
The Charger comes standard with an AM/FM stereo and a four-speaker audio system. It can be upgraded in a number of ways, such as with satellite radio. There is also an optional, upgraded stereo, DVD navigation, and a video entertainment system. Sirius Satellite Radio and Uconnect hands-free Bluetooth mobile phone connections are also available.
Standard safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and an energy-absorbing steering column. Crash testing agencies rated the Charger “Marginal” in side- and head-restraint crashworthiness and “Poor” for side impacts without the optional airbag system.
A bare-bones Charger will set you back $22,570 before tax and destination charges. That’s not that much money for a car that can carry the entire family. Full-size sedans are becoming increasingly scarce in a fuel-economy-obsessed world, so the Dodge’s competition like the Ford Five Hundred and the Buick LaCrosse lack the attitude that the Charger has, although at least the Ford is priced similarly. A fully-loaded Charger SRT8 still costs far less than $40,000, which is a whole lot of American muscle car for the money.
