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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  So it begins....a Lifetime warranty test - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By TCB09RT - March 6 - 2:58 pm

  I picked up my Charger RT P package at the end of Jan 09. Being in Michigan I was concerned about handling in the snow and on the dirt roads I live on, so the dealer let me test drive the Charger 20 miles home. I was very surprised at how well the RWD/ESP combo handled snow, and how the suspension soaked up the "chatter bumps", ruts, and craters on both paved and dirt roads. I use my 4X4 for big snowstorms, but Ive put 1,200 on the RT thus far. My final purchase decision was based on that drivability, Chryslers deep discount, and the availability of a the Lifetime Max care warranty. The RT has everything a man could want for a lifetime of driving fun, comfort, and convienience.

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  so pretty it hurts to look at - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By L.T. - March 3 - 7:07 pm

  My co-worker described it better than I ever could have when I parked my new black charger in our lot. "Its so pretty its hard to look at, but it looks like it might eat all the cars". nuff said?

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  29RACKAGE - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By LEMRJ - February 26 - 9:13 pm

  Ive driven the car only four times. Every time I drive, Ive been forced off the road by drivers trying to get a better look at it. I only have 700 miles on it

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  What a blast... - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Chris - February 26 - 1:42 pm

  For all who have the SRT8 or buy something similar, Performance & Styling must be the first thing on your mind. It cant be, or shouldnt be, gas mileage, comfort, or even reliability. Sports cars, or in this case, Muscle Cars, are a breed all to themselves. They cant be huddled with the rest of the pack. They are specialty built and because of that, stand alone. This Charger SRT8 is what Dodge set it out to be. Cool looking, fast, fun and exhilarating to drive…not to mention an attention getter. It hits the mark in those areas 100% The sound of the V8 is balanced and perfect. I can’t say enough good things about it. Buy this car if you’re in the market.

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  I love my Charger - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By CassieLovesHerCharge - February 20 - 7:08 pm

  I bought this car because I loved the look of it so much! I didnt care that I bought the V6 because no one really knows unless you look under the hood. Its roomy and comfortable and my kids are safe with the 5 star crash test rating.

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  So far so good - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Gord - February 16 - 9:50 am

  I purchased my 09 Charger SXT almost 3 months ago. To date, I have enjoyed the car and the solid feel you get in handling and performance. It is a real head turner, but I have a feeling people mistake it for a police ghost car at times, and slow down when approaching me on the highway, so funny. The car is a delight to drive and the 3.5L has more than enough power for my needs.I have driven Mopars for the past 20 years and the Charger is the best so far. I would recommend this car highly.

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  Tie Rod, Engine light, lighting bolt - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By jud - February 16 - 6:54 am

  Well it is a nice car to drive but has spent a lot of time with issues. for example three times the Bluetooth had to be fixed still not working, tires have to be replaced every year, engine light on continually even after it has been fixed the light shines again within a couple of days, lighting bolt light that tells you to heat the car up when the temp outside is below a certain degree comes on in the middle of the summer when it is 25 celcius outside and if you do not let it warm up the car will not run properly (near got in an accident a few times the engine cuts out- no power) we have had this looked at but it continues to be an issue now the tie rod ends are gone again. We got a bad one.

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  Highly Disappointed - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Christine - February 13 - 1:34 pm

  I love the look and performance of my 2007 Dodge Charger SXT. However, transmission problems have come to light that make this vehicle very unsafe. While traveling on the highway and accelerating to pass, the transmission has locked up or something and the car loses power. I have had to coast to the side of the road, stop the car, and restart it to reboot the computer.

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By jimandjess - February 10 - 2:28 pm

  As the kind of owners that drive cars until they have to be junked, we usually shop for Toyotas. However, a local salesman cut us a deal we couldnt pass up and now we cruise around town in our hot new Charger. Though the interior is mostly plastic and we dont get as much hp out of the little engine as the big guys get, the car is still awesome. Its roomy, but doesnt feel like your driving a tank. The R&P steering is responsive and easy to get used to. The mpg arent bad as long as you dont bury your foot in the pedal (easier said than done). As a backyard mechanic, the roomy Dodge engine compartment means easy fixes, if you ever need them.

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  A Touring Car Without . . . - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By alphajam - February 10 - 10:59 am

  Without the Im going to hurt your back and kill you if you make mistake. Great for a daily driver or with an after-market addition or two, a great weekend hell-raiser. I use mine for both! My only complaint is an occasional rattle from the plastic around the moon/sun roof. I cant figure out where its coming from. . .