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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Never thought Id own a Dodge - 2006 Dodge Charger
By RJTs wife - November 2 - 1:53 pmI never thought Id own a Dodge, but I have been pleasantly surprised about how much I enjoy this car. My husband wanted the power, and I have to say its not a bad thing to have on the highways. We looked a whole lot of vehicles and just happened to see this one and whammy, we got it. Some improvements could be made, but overall a really, really good looking, huge, fun to drive and ride in car.
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So Far So Good - 2008 Dodge Charger
By Siamese45 - October 30 - 4:43 pmI have been a Dodge truck person since 1993 and when I saw the Charger, I was intrigued enough to drive one. I picked it up last night and while it may take me 6 months to learn the MyGig entertainment system, I love the way it handles, the acceleration is amazing, it is very comfortable and quite stylish. It will take me a while to get used to being back in a car, but I cant think of a better car to choose as my first in many years than the 2008 Dodge Charger R/T.
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You have to own it to understand - 2007 Dodge Charger
By Michael - October 22 - 2:26 amIve never had so much fun driving a car before. It is a car for the open road . All I can say is I bought it in feb 07 and I have 17000 miles on it. Love my Dodge.
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Welcome Back from Iraq Present - 2007 Dodge Charger
By SFC_Charger - October 13 - 10:09 pmGot Back from Iraq and the wife let me get a new car..Got me the Black RT. Just added a K&N Cold air...wow..31 Highway 19 city...looks great, room for the family, with the intake this monster growls. I have the B A speaker package and the stereo sounds great, still need the Kicker 10" for the trunk. Move over Mustang this monster is for real. Should have gotten the Nav system. After market upgrades are plentiful and cheap. This car has totally erased any possibilty of a mid life crisis. I get looks from everybody. Especially all the cute lite 2.7L and 3.5L/SXTs...gotta have the Hemi Best bargain out there. The price per enjoyment ratio is awesome....get one today!
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A car for the ages - 2006 Dodge Charger
By Joe O. - October 12 - 10:13 amWhat can I say, this car is exceptional because it is what it is. That being an American name plate car that eats the imports for lunch and dinner. In these times of too many Camrys and too many Accords, this is whats needed. Yes its reliable, yes its fast, yes its comfortable, and it doesnt look like it came out of a cookie cutter mold. The car gets stares and a lot of questions asked about it. And I tell everybody who asks that this is the best car Ive ever owned. It always seems that old stereotypes about "bad" American cars keeps the public buying wishy washy foreign cars. I just say, bring em on!
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Next Best Thing - 2007 Dodge Charger
By bobnrobin - October 11 - 10:33 amThe car is a blast to drive. I have never owned a car that receives more attention than this car. Every where I go someone is stopping me to ask about the car or compliment me on the looks of the car. From ages of 8 to 80 people are stopping me to comment on the car. Either to tell me about the Charger they owned years ago or how much they would like to buy the current model. The down side is at every red light someone is challenging me to run it. Dodge got it right with this car. Its fast as a bullet stops on a dime and corners like its on rails. Some complain about the fact they made it a sedan, but from my perspective the car is the best of both worlds.
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Love this Car! - 2008 Dodge Charger
By Tante Lise - October 4 - 3:07 pmI only have the base model Dodge Charger, but I love it. It rides very smooth. I also like how it sits up higher than my old car (grand prix). It is nice and roomy too. Very comfortable to ride in. The seats make you feel relaxed and not strained. I am short (52") and it is easier to see over the steering wheel and dash in the Dodge Charger. I cannot wait until I can afford to purchase a more "loaded" Charger with leather seats (heated of course) and the "Hemi". :)
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Go getter in big comfort - 2006 Dodge Charger
By Mike - October 2 - 1:10 pmThis is more car than I need; However I am gald I have it all. Very comfortable with the R/T Road and Track package seats. Once you get the idea and the car learns how you want it to go it goes better then most out there. The gas mileage is OK for the power you get out of it. I had leased it but may want to buy out my lease and keep it for longer than expected. Fun family car
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2 Hemi family - 2006 Dodge Charger
By herkmech - September 30 - 3:13 pmDodge did a great job with the re- design. Im a muscle car fan myself but this gives us a tatse of both worlds. My two boys love it and no longer want to ride in the 04 Durango (with a Hemi). They say its not as cool as the Charger. Fun to drive! Looks fast just sitting in my driveway! Throttle response is great. Very comfortable leather seats. Plenty of leg room in the back.
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The NEW Charger !! - 2006 Dodge Charger
By Robert Benson - September 26 - 8:43 amThank goodness this one is built better than its namesake. Ive been looking at these a while, and final bought. It drives great, even the V6 has more than enough get-up-and-go for most. Mileage, so far on mixed driving, is just over 25 mpg, which is good. Easy to drive, comfortable to own. This IS a great car.
