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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  Sweet Ride - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Reaper568 - February 9 - 6:53 am

  Bought this beauty in June. I have never fallen in love with any of my previously owned vehicles, but this one, oh yeah! This car always gets the looks, and I have folks coming up to me all the time to ask about it and comment on it.

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  simply amazing - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By eric w. - February 7 - 7:52 pm

  I just got the 09 super bee in hemi orange pearl and it is amazing the color the sound of the 6.1l hemi the handling the looks the 500 watt kicker audio system u name it everything about this car is amazing i would reccomend avoiding the all-season tires if you dont need them they jeprodize the cars hand and sqeel alot under hard cornering and braking

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  Shark in traffic - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Dave - January 25 - 6:53 pm

  I love this car. Ive got the Magnesium Pearl, and feel like Im driving a shark. Cruising right along nice and quiet. BAM! A horsepower feeding frenzy and nothing left but the carcasses of an import trying to ace me at a stop sign. My wife was dead set against getting this car, but now loves it.

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  06 charger R/T W/R/T package - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By dennis - January 21 - 12:06 pm

  By far the best car I have ever owned. I would highly recommend the 2006 Dodge Charger.

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  Serious service issue - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Texan - January 12 - 2:19 pm

  I love this car and it is a pleasure to drive it until it shreds my tires because of front end vibration which cannot or will not be repaired by the dealership. Tires have had to be replaced 3 times in 40,000 miles because of this recurring issue. Looking for other owners with same problem for possible resolution with manufacturer.

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  Great value, great fun - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By sonnysayshi - January 11 - 6:27 pm

  Although Ive only owned the Charger for 10 days, I sense its the best auto purchase Ive made. Love the rumble, impressive acceleration, nice interior, nice stereo, ample space, great look -- for the money, nearly impossible to beat.

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  Great car! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By mattness528 - January 9 - 11:34 pm

  I bought this car used with 40000 miles on it. I have only had one problem with it and that was replacing the inner tie rods($470), I was told that this is a very common repair for these vehicles. Overall, I love driving this car and I would recommend it to anyone. If you buy this car, expect expensive repairs. I recommend extended warenty.

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  Unreal - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By l stowe - January 7 - 11:46 pm

  I have owned many great cars but the SRT8 has them all outclassed. This car is in a class by itself. The SRT people really out did themselves on this one.

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  Lovin it - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Nick - December 17 - 2:05 am

  Great car. Coming from a Mazda 626 (01) and prior an 01 Focus, the interior is spacious. I have a couple of bigger home boys and they sit comfortably. After the dealership threw in some 20" black and chrome rims, it looks great with my gray and black tinted windows. Wish I could have afforded the V-8, but when gas was 4.75+ a gallon, I knew it was a good buy. Very quick off the start. My wife can easily fit all our kids in there which is nice when I have to use the Durango for the snow. I highly suggest it, whether it be the V-6 to the Daytona version, the Charger is the way to go. I have driven the Daytona and boy, that is a car to be driven

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  Top Banana - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By c21edmack - December 16 - 10:46 pm

  Car is awesome. Runs well, power is there when I need it. Handles like a champ and best of all it has 4 doors!