Overview & Reviews

Popularized by NASCAR dominance and later a hokey TV show, the Dodge Charger is one of America's most revered performance nameplates. Originally an icon of the muscle car era, the Charger was reborn as an affordable performance sedan -- and it's one of the better ones available in this market niche.

The current Dodge Charger may not be the two-door muscle car you remember from the '60s (to the chagrin of traditionalists, it's a four-door sedan), but it does a fine job of being a modern interpretation. As a bonus, the latest Charger has a usable interior and plenty of standard equipment. Think of it as a muscle car the whole family can enjoy.

Current Dodge Charger
The current Dodge Charger is based on the same platform used for the Chrysler 300. As such, the Charger has four doors and is a fairly large sedan. Its front-end styling is much more aggressive than the 300C's, and the rear roof line slopes downward in a coupelike fashion.

The current Charger is available in five trim levels: SE, SXT, R/T, SRT8 and SRT8 Superbee. The SE and SRT8 trims are only offered with rear-wheel drive, while the SXT and R/T can be rear-drive or all-wheel drive.

The SE and SXT come with a 3.5-liter 292-horsepower V6 engine that achieves good fuel economy given its output. Adding the Rallye Appearance Group or Blacktop package raises horsepower to 300. A five-speed automatic is standard on the SE; an eight-speed automatic is optional for the SE and standard for all SXTs.

Stepping up to the R/T gets you a 370-hp 5.7-liter V8 engine along with a sport-tuned suspension and a variety of luxury, convenience and technology items that are mostly available as options on the V6 trims. The R/T's Super Track Pak gets you additional handling and braking upgrades, including a three-mode adjustable stability control system.

The SRT8 ups the performance ante further by essentially pairing the Super Track Pak items with a 470-hp 6.4-liter V8. It gets an abundance of luxury features standard, but should you be OK with less stuff, the decontented SRT8 Superbee should do the trick. We hope you like yellow or black paint, though, as they are mandatory, along with some not-so-subtle Superbee graphics.

The current Charger scores points not only for the plentiful power output of its big V8 engines, but the ample grunt and decent fuel economy of the entry-level V6 as well. The spacious cabin, improvements in ride quality and interior design also contribute to the overall appeal. There are a couple downsides, notably a lack of rear headroom and lifeless steering, but overall the Dodge Charger is one of the most fun-to-drive large sedans on the market.

Used Dodge Charger Models
The current Dodge Charger was heavily overhauled for 2011. Although it maintained the platform of its predecessor, it is largely a redesigned model. Besides styling changes, interior quality, driving involvement and overall refinement were dramatically improved. Its new V6 engine was also a huge step up from the old six-cylinders. In the current Charger's first year, only the SE and R/T trim levels were available.

Although it's closely related to the current model, the Dodge Charger from 2006-'10 differed in many ways. At its debut, only SE, R/T and SRT8 trims were available. The SE had a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6, while the R/T had a 340-hp version of the current car's 5.7-liter V8. The SRT8 came with a 6.1-liter V8 good for 425 hp. All came with a five-speed automatic transmission. For 2007, a 190-hp 2.7-liter V6 engine became standard on the SE, while the 3.5 became optional.

From 2006-'10 Dodge offered a couple performance packages for the Challenger R/T -- the Daytona and Road/Track packages included sport-tuned suspension and steering. There was a SXT trim level from 2008-'10; it came standard with the 3.5-liter V6. Other notable changes for this period included an improved interior and new features in 2008 and an increase to 368 hp for the R/T for '09.

Overall, we were impressed by this revived Charger's spacious cabin, comfy ride, affordable price and available all-wheel drive. Of course, the big V8 was a nice bonus as well. However, the V6 engines were always disappointing, especially the 190-hp 2.7-liter, which was both underpowered and inefficient. As such, we would avoid it. The cabin also had a low-buck feel (even after the interior was improved for '08), with subpar materials and forgettable design. Rear seat entry was also hampered by the sloping roof line. But overall, this Charger will be a solid choice for a large sedan.

From a historical standpoint, the Dodge Charger originally debuted as a1966 model. This Coronet-based coupe had a unique look, with a sweeping fastback and concealed headlights. But it's the second generation of the Charger that was most popular. This was the one that served as the basis for the winged and race-wining Charger Daytona of 1969 and, later, the bright orange "General Lee" from the 1980s television show The Dukes of Hazzard.

Less popular were three successive generations of Chargers. Third- and fourth-generation models from the 1970s were emasculated by new emissions regulations. A fifth generation, made available from 1982-'87, was a variation of the front-drive Dodge Omni 024 economy hatchback. Near the end of its production, there were sporty, turbocharged versions modified by Carroll Shelby that culminated in the Shelby Charger GLH-S.

User Reviews:

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  Transmission - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Takasia - May 16 - 5:13 pm

  I have had the shutter since i purchase it. it jerks somtime while driving & i have taken it to dealer several times & they always say cant find anything.It also slows when air is turned on. One day i got into car to leave & was unable to move gear out of park, call dealer & was told right off bat that it was the belt inside gear shift. was told by tow truck driver that it is happening to all the Chrysler & dodge vehicles & they have been towing a lot with that same problem. A lot of people have told me chargers are not a good car & after 50000 miles transmission have to be replaced. Will never buy another chrysler or dodge vehicle.

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  I never liked Dodge - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Jaguar1024 - April 27 - 10:58 am

  Last year when deciding what to buy I drove several cars from BMWs to Mazdas. I saved Dodge for last mainly because I have always thought of them as cheap, ugly and unreliable. I loved the Chargers styling but what blew me away was the handling and the speed, granted I only got the 2.7 but its acceleration, handling and comfort blew away the Mazda 6 and Honda Civic and easily equaled the Taurus SHO (except in acceleration) and the BMW 3 series. I got mine for just a hair over $11,000.00 including tax title etc. and I have to say that it is one of the better cars I have ever owned. So far I have had no technical issues at all and it has been rock solid so far.

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  COMPLAINT - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By vic - April 14 - 11:48 am

  Was thinking we got a good car and what I always wanted with 20,100 miles got last DEC 2009 noticed a ticking and getting worse with the colder and running took to local dealer said fixed and a little tapping was normal and would go away did not so took to dealer we bought from and said oh ya something definitely wrong replaced pump tensioner pivot arm antifreeze 2 valves 3 rocker arms seal valve guide 2 gasket cylinder head gasket timing case cover seal water pump to front gasket intake manifold antifreeze tensioner when I got it back it did sound like a car should now there is an idling issue and a vibration when you shift from gear to gear need to take in again at this point I am tired of th

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  Great Car! - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Rich - April 2 - 10:28 pm

  Shopped for weeks and test drove a lot of different models. My wife loves the way it drives, the seat comfort and seating position. We feel it was by far the best value for the dollar. Currently we get 24 to 27 MPG on the highway, with the RT hemi V8. Dont believe everything the "Biased" Toyota/Honda Consumer reports Mag. says. These are good cars. I had 95,000 trouble free miles on a 2001 300M that was a well designed sport sedan and joy to drive as well.

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  Vvroom - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By RamIt - April 2 - 9:04 pm

  My wife and I bought our brand new Deep water blue Charger SXT AWD a week ago. We love it! Hugs turns and charges ahead in the higher RPM band. We are already compliments from passersby about the handsome looks of this car. My wife and I are very different heights, but this is no problem with the adj. pedals and telescopic steering wheel. Rear seats fit our childrens car seats with room to spare. This car fits our family like glove. 256 miles is not enough for accurate review, will post again later.

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  What great cars are made of - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By don - March 28 - 2:34 pm

  I ordered my charger in June /09 while there was a large rebate on them all together over 13,000 in discounts but their wasnt any 09 out there so I got a 2010 with the same rebates. The car is deep blue water Pearl that I had a custom shop put some decals on it in silver the car performs very well and gets great mileage for a car this size with a v/8. I find the car very comfortable even on long drives. I have had several cars including performance cars and this car comes close to my old cuda for fun to drive yet way more comfortable and reliable /my only complaint is even with top of the line snow/ice tires you have got to be very careful and drive slower or you will find yourself in trouble

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  Midlife crisis think not ,just having - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By Don - March 28 - 10:12 am

  I ordered my 2010 r/t in June to take advantage of the large rebate they had at the time, traded in my 07 ram 4x4, I really enjoy the car, I ordered in blue the had a custom shop add decals in silver. My only complaint is the car even with top of the line snow/ice tires it can be difficult to handle in Canadian winters /note this is a rwd model other then that the car gets unbeatable mileage for a v/8 car this size. And boy does it go!

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  Not a happy driver! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By IZTHELIZ - March 25 - 9:53 pm

  I love the style of the car, it does have blind spots, I have added smaller mirrors on the side mirrors to help with this. I am very disappointed in Dodge and their way of handling service. @ 26K needed new tires, have had 3 leaks in the transmission, @ 55K new tie rods, @ 61K diagnosed needed new struts and upper control arm (Dodge wont cover) @ 63K rocker arm in the engine needed to be repaired. The service manager said that this is a design issue (but Dodge hasnt done a recall?), vents are broke and a plastic piece on the drivers seat broke and the screw keeps coming out. Aux plug doesnt work anymore. Rusting as well.I have been very disappointed with this vehicle, already looking to trade.

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  srt8 - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Dave Hicks - March 16 - 12:52 am

  My wife and I love this car. It turns heads everywhere we go. Dont buy this car if you dont like being approached by strangers. The engine is so damned powerful, I love getting on the expressway, youre doing over 80 before you realize it. the ride is pretty smooth for a lowered performance car, the 6 speaker Boston Acoustics sound system is great, the seats are perfect , its a race car when you floor the gas pedal, but smooth and quiet when you dont feel like playing nascar. Its the perfect car, good job Dodge, I LOVE IT!

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  Love my hemi! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Tom - March 10 - 1:00 pm

  The car has awesome performance. Great bang for the buck! MPG not the best for the power, but the MDS sure helps. The ride/handling with the stock R/T is a bit "Soft" - with the SRT8 suspension I put on, its much better! This is not your grannys family sedan. Its fast, stops on a dime and corners awesome. The biggest pet peeve is my left arm falls asleep on long drives due to the hardness of the drivers door armrest.