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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  Love my charger! - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By billster - May 13 - 10:16 pm

  I drove a Ford Ranger for 13 yrs. I still have it and its still running btw. But since getting my charger, I dont care to drive the ranger. I know this sounds crazy, but Ive never loved a car like I do the charger. Its so fun to drive. We were not really in the market for a vehicle when we got the charger. The wifes Taurus trans was acting up, she mentioned seeing a charger on a used lot. So we go take a look. There was this sweet black charger with 22" chrome wheels. We take it for a test drive and fell in love with it. As I was sitting there signing the papers Im thinking, I cant believe Im buying a charger. Btw, I replaced her vss and tps in the Taurus so I get the charger all the time now

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  Nice looking but thats about it - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By chad - May 8 - 4:23 am

  I love the way the charger looks on the outside other than that.The stereo system isnt good, sounds like if you turn it up at all youre going to blow a speaker. When i open the door to get out it always swings back shut on me. My kids always complain about the seat belt sticking. The plastic interior trim looks cheap. I got the 3.5L and Im not very impressed with the acceleration. Gas mileage is O.K. between 20 and 23 mpg. No cup holder in the back and the cup holders it has up front are small. Should have bought a Hybrid.

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  Best car I ever had - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Steven - April 25 - 3:18 am

  This car is simply amazing. That 3.5 H.O engine should not be underestimated just because its not a Hemi. It is a powerful engine. The car is very roomy and comfortable inside and I love the sporty exterior that it has. It is like a 4 door coupe. If anyone is looking for a sporty sedan that delivers great power and solid gas mileage, this is the car for you. By the way, you cant beat the lifetime powertrain warranty and one year free of Sirius satellite radio.

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  Hate me now, love me later - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By ARABIAN CHARGER - April 24 - 2:26 pm

  Tested out the rest of the competition and found out for what I was paying for it there was none! Love this car ever since I layed eyes on it, fun to drive and everyone wants to drive but too bad, get your own.

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  Best Car I have ever owned! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By The Captain - April 22 - 6:13 am

  The size, the power, the styling, and that scowl of the front end hooked me from the start. I have always owned Japanese cars and was reluctant to try Dodge particularly in the first model year. But now I am glad I did. This car kicks, turns heads and is fast, responsive, comfortable and quiet. Rides like a Mercedes. I have silver with 20" chrome wheels and Goodyear RSA Z rated performance tires, a real head turner! I have had no problems at all so I am surprised at some of the reviews where people have. This car shines like a diamond in a sea of what seems to be a lot of ugly drab cars today.

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  Yeah its got a Hemi.. - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Hemis-Rock - April 17 - 1:04 am

  I searched high and low for a car that met all my expectations for 7 months, when finally the Daytona Spec charger made eyes with me. It was love at first drive. Performance is blistering on the straights. The car needs wider wheels/tires at least at the back because the torque when gunned is overwhelming for the stock set up. Interior materials are average American at best, but this is not why I purchased the car. The mighty 5.7 V8 Hemi is a heart stopper, the feeling of unequal ecstasy and exhilaration when this bad boy is revving high is what legends are made of. Go out and buy one now!

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  I waited a long time for this - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By ashlar90 - April 15 - 9:25 pm

  This is my mid life crazy vehicle. Growing up, girls werent supposed to have cars like these. So I bought my own at 52! It is the most perfect car I have ever driven. The seats are so comfortable they fit like soft gloves. I bought #505 of 1650. Yep, Daytona Orange, even the engine is orange.

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  great car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By H Harris - April 13 - 7:56 pm

  Love the car as a daily driver with the performance of a sports car! Almost as much fun to drive as my Mustang GT convertible. The gas mileage is good on a trip..

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  2006 Charger R/T - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By imdoc - April 12 - 3:31 pm

  I purchased my 06 R/T one month ago. I absolutely love this car. It handles great both in the wet and dry (I dont know about snow yet). I get all kinds of looks as I drive down the street. It has good acceleration. Gas mileage is better than expected for mixed city/highway driving (about 18), and I cant wait to take it to Yellowstone this summer (about 1000 miles round trip). I love the rear wheel drive as it behaves like cars are supposed to. The interior is simple, but I subscribe to the less is more philosophy. The styling is aggressive and I love its stance. I back it into the garage because I like the way it looks sitting in there when the doors open, vain, I know! Excellent car

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  good but not great - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By dodge charger r/t - April 10 - 10:51 am

  I started having trouble with the engine light coming on, then trouble with the trunk switch not working, but first was my front sway bar and my right tie rod, then my sun roof wouldnt work, got my sun roof to work, then my radio, shut the car off, for an hour, then everything worked except the trunk switch., now my outside temperature gauge doesnt work, and my compass, they dont know how too fix, this problem, I keep contacting the service department, but they dont call me back, Im done with Chrysler, even though I, love my charger, and that great power, I have Borla exhaust on my car, and it sounds great, except for the lifter, noise, come on Chrysler you can do much better than that, make quality, not quantity