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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Me and my RT - 2006 Dodge Charger
By WackyWayno - November 20 - 9:53 pmGot my blue RT with the road and track option almost a year ago. It has been a great car for me. Ive only had to take it back for oil changes. Im real picky and usually have to have the dealer fix a few little things on my new cars. Not this one. Glad I ordered mine with road and track option. The better seats are great and the other extras were worth it. Fun to drive. I car pool and after a couple of days not driving it I miss it. Just starting it is exciting. Ive always bought new cars, and this has been the best. Not happy with fuel economy. Ive owned V-8s before that did better. Ride and handling are very good for this size car. If you drive it, you will like it.
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I love my new 2016 Charger - 2016 Dodge Charger
By Walter Menendez - November 14 - 11:43 pmI love this car. I bought the SXT with the blacktop package in granite pearlcoat color and love it. Its roomy for my kids and they love the car too. I was really surprised how good this car is on gas considering its a V6 with plenty of power. The rebates were good. Im very happy with my purchase.
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Love it! - 2006 Dodge Charger
By Tami - November 13 - 12:46 amIm loving this car! Great car and fun to drive. Not to mention it is a great price. You get lots of respect when your are on the road. I am a girl and the guys dig it that I have such a sweet ride. Thanks for bringing the Charger back from the dead! Lets roll guys!
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Daytona Charger - 2008 Dodge Charger
By Mikey C - November 9 - 1:48 pmWow. I know its just a pretty version of the regular R/T, but their is just something about this car when you drive down the street in its orange and black colors. The engine growling, and knowing that everyone cant help but look in interest. Sure, its no SRT-8, but the mileage difference in MPG makes up for that. I am seeing abour 16 city and a cool 25 on highway. The pick up and go is strong and nice, and the interior is very comfy and roomy. I had a small Trans prob right away, but the warranty took care of that and no probs since. Good job Dodge!
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Very disappointing - 2006 Dodge Charger
By Jeffrey Dunn - November 9 - 12:30 amMy wife and I are very disappointed with our "dream" car. Its in the shop every month , even now over Christmas (10 days) and have hardly driven it for we have lost confidence in it. It was not worth the $30,000 price to sit in our yard leaking oil along with a dead battery. I think a Buick Lucerne would have been a better choice.
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SRT - 2006 Dodge Charger
By mrp - November 7 - 5:43 amThis is the most amazing vehicle I have ever driven/owned. It does as little or as much as you would ever want to do. It does however have some blind spots. In addition to this, I have noticed a whine, sounding like a turbocharger, possibly coming from the transmission, as I pull in to my garage. Hopefully nothing serious. If it isnt, I will be very extremely pleased with the vehicle.
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A Great, Fun Car to Drive - 2008 Dodge Charger
By Larry - November 6 - 10:57 amIve owned the car for only 3 weeks, but, love it thus far. Its enjoyable to drive, responds extremely well for a 4 dr sedan, but, yet has the appearance of a "sporty" vehicle which gets lots of attention from people. A joy to drive! I was disappointed in a couple of things--see below on improvements. I would buy this car again without hesitation.
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Make a Difference in the RT/Basic - 2006 Dodge Charger
By Ms. Educated - November 6 - 6:50 amI love my car, but dont like the fact that the only difference noticeable is the HEMI on the side from the basic 3.5. The interior could have more comfortable seating and the option on the RT could be a heck of a lot more than is offered in the selling deal. The dash board in the RT should be Indigo blue, the driving light should have blue like tint. Make the RT more attractive for the beautiful car that it is.
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Great exterior, cheap interior - 2016 Dodge Charger
By Mike - November 4 - 4:57 pmCan Dodge make an interior other than cheap black plastic? Loved the exterior, very mean looking and sporty. 5,7 Hemi gave lots of power. An 8 speed auto it a little to much, kept hunting for gears, a 6 speed would do better. Love the tech and touch screen but no volume or radio controls on the steering wheel? Odd. The front seats were terrible. They were uncomfortably hard, lumbar support stuck out to far even all the way deflated, and the head rest was way to far back. Never could get comfortable in it. If Dodge would step up their interiors they would have a great car.
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Power, Stye and refinement - 2006 Dodge Charger
By James - November 4 - 1:36 amDriving the SRT8 Charger is an experience in fun. The handling, power and comfort take you to places most four door sedans cannot unless the price tag exceeds 100K. It is a fun car at a fun price.
