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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  Beauty AND the Beast - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Tony - October 20 - 8:09 pm

  I bought the R/T with 33,000km, so far, did 2 oil changes at the dealer, the car is amazingly quiet and comfortable on the highway, Chrysler did a good job air-sealing this beast. Even on local roads when idling, you can barely hear that the engine is running. i get 8 L/100 km on the highway and about 15 L/100 km local, every time i fill it i get an average displayed around 13 L/100 km, now remember I drive agressively, so its higher than regular. I did quite a bit of research before purchasing, and its the best purchase ive ever made in my life!

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  American Muscle - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By DodgeLover - October 18 - 10:13 am

  Theres no doubt this car is what Dodge intended to create when they designed this baby. A straight- loving American muscle car that grudgingly slumps around corners and then takes off again. My Daytona Charger is quite a head-turner, especially where I live in Daytona Beach, Florida. I love the ability to outrun smaller, faster LOOKING cars and have them stare in disbelief. I love my Daytona and would absolutely suggest it to anyone who isnt looking to spend too much for (relatively) great performance.

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  E=RT squared - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By John - October 16 - 1:02 pm

  I love the RT with 29R (RT) package. Daytona without the "arrest me" graphics/color package. Although if I were to buy one now for 09 I would get the white daytona available this year. That is nice! The only problem Ive had turned out to be bad gas. Buy brand name and the recommended 89 instead of minimum 87 if you plan on driving this thing like you own it. I had some hesitation and stuttering at WOT acceleration, cleared right up when the gas shortages forced me to a different gas station than usual and 93 instead of 89 cleared up completely! Ever since then Ive been running 89 from name brand stations and it hasnt come back. I get so many comments its not even funny

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  Finally - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Batch - October 7 - 12:13 am

  Have been looking few a new car for some time and was ready to settle until I drove by the Dodge dealer. Great looks great ride could not be happier and what a head turner, I have received numerous thumbs up as I drive by, it is amazing the reactions that I get. I find myself driving out of my way when I go places. For me, it put the fun back in driving.

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  Eye Opener! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Kustomkarl - October 3 - 11:40 am

  Wow what a ride. I now have close to 2000 miles on the car and it just keeps getting better! Looks impressive, handles smooth and out performs anything stock I have seen on road to date! Oh and did I say HEMI! This thing is awesome! Would I buy another? In a heartbeat!I havent found any flaws yet, and yes I keep looking. This car is, for the money, top dog in my eyes!

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  Brand New, its fun, jury is still out - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By ET - October 1 - 5:21 pm

  I have the Road and Track edition for 09. Lots of upgrades, but the 10 extra horse power and the Ricaaro style seats with red stitching and badging stands out the most. 20 inch chrome rims are a big hit as well with my friends. The engine is very responsive, and the ESP switch is nice when you want to burn out. I am impressed with the acceleration, although a rolling start and manual transmission mode will give you the best chance at a light to light drag. The engine performs the best in my opinion from 75 to 120. It really moves. It is very quiet in the cabin and I wish the engine would bark a little more from the factory. It does have a 8 to 4 cyl. feature for fuel consumption

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  What Power! - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Tom - September 26 - 9:33 am

  I have had the Charger for about 3 weeks now and I cant believe the power the car has. It is a really solid car all around. I have been driving a 6 cylinder Nissan Maxima and Altima for the past 7 years and cant get over the difference. The Nissan has the features, but the car is light, noisy, and gets 18 mpg (city). The Charger is so real, solid, quiet and secure. So far I am getting 17 mpg. Very east and fun to drive.

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  I love my Charger! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Johanna - September 20 - 5:10 pm

  I had been bugging my husband for a year for this baby! I finally got it a few weeks ago. I got the RTand I am loving it! Its so much fun. The kids love it too, and my husband is jealous. All my friends were shocked because Im a girly girl, but I love muscle cars. I get stopped all the time by people complimenting my car. All my friends husbands are jealous! I got the windows blacked out to match the car, spoiler is being added this weekend. Ive never been so excited about a car before. My dad had one before I was born, a 1969, and now Im keeping on with the tradition.

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  Great - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Jen - September 19 - 3:36 pm

  We just purchased our 2008 Charger and LOVE IT! It is an awesome car! The inside has plenty of room and the trunk is huge. It rides and drives great. The stock stereo is wonderful. I had someone ask if I had put my own system in. I let them know that it was the system that came in the car. We also get lots of of people wanting to look and drive the car. So far I have not found ANY problems.

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  Buying Mistake - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Jess - September 18 - 2:57 pm

  From the outside its not all that bad at first. It reminds me a little of the bat mobile. The gas mileage sucks! There are horrible blind spots! You cant really see out of the back window that well. Looking at it from the outside you would think that you got all the room in the world while being in the car but you dont! Oh and did i mention I have to get gas multiple occasions due the MPG!