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:
Showing 431 through 440 of 743.00-
Fun to Drive - Nice car - 2006 Dodge Charger
By redone-83 - September 25 - 5:00 pmThis is a great car with the Hemi engine. The perfomace seats were done nicely and actually hold you in the seat. Dodge did a nice job with some of the colors choices on the Daytonas. I have to warn anyone about buying a 2006. There is a issue I have discovered since purchasing as it relates to the brakes on the RTs. The rotors began to squeal and make noise at 600 miles because the rotors were bad. The dealers will turn them for you under warranty. This will hold for a while. I later discovered on the Charger forums that this is a problem on the 2006s that is fixed on the 2007. Otherwise this is an awesome car.
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My second Charger - 2008 Dodge Charger
By NCarDebt - September 23 - 11:43 pmBeats the pants off of my go mango Daytona!. You have to be careful with these SRTs as they hit high speeds pretty darn fast!. The Daytona was a great car (got totaled by an abandoned previously wrecked vehicle in the middle of a darkened highway, very sad) and a bit more comfortable as well as confident due to the less aggressive gearing and pc. I absolutely love the SRT!.
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Faster, Mommy! - 2007 Dodge Charger
By Rose - September 18 - 10:14 amI absolutely love this car. Its everything you would want - drives like a muscle car and rides like a luxury car. I looked at it for a year and just couldnt shake the desire. So glad I bought it. I have a 15 year old son and a 3 year old daughter and both think its so cool. My daughter has named it "The Big Red Car" after the Wiggles song (its TorRed) and constantly tells people how fast it is. All my girlfriends refer to it as my "guy magnet." When out cruising, no doubt I will get several "Woo-hoos." Anyone considering this car should go for it. The only thing I dont like is the gas mileage because I drive city miles and its getting 13 mpg. Great fuel economy on the highway though.
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Gets all the looks. - 2006 Dodge Charger
By John - September 17 - 1:38 amThis car gets all the looks everywhere it goes. Sadly, Its been in the shop monthly for one issue or another. Terrible gas mileage On a good day maybe 20hwy. The exterior looks great but can not make up for the cheap plastic interior.
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Thrilling! - 2007 Dodge Charger
By WPA Girl - September 9 - 10:24 amI have the SXT. I cant wipe the smile from my face when Im driving. Im getting used to people turning to watch the car go by. I have a hard time passing in traffic because of people riding beside my car to look it over. Gas mileage is averaging about 23mpg for a mix of city/highway driving and goes to about 27 on all highway. It exceeds what I got in my PT Cruiser.
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Great Car! - 2006 Dodge Charger
By xtec - September 6 - 12:02 pmI had my 06 Charger SXT for almost two years, and it rides like the first day I bought it. I never get tired driving this car. It has a great ride, style, and I think its the best car Chrysler has ever made. I would suggest that anybody buying a car should give the Charger and the 300 a test drive.
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Try not to grin! - 2007 Dodge Charger
By Rick - September 5 - 11:15 pmThis is a a classic muscle car in that its loud and a bit heavy. Other than that, its fun to drive! My kids love riding in this car - I cant be more than a mile from the house before I hear, "Hit it, Dad!".
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Go For It - 2007 Dodge Charger
By Shagrat - September 4 - 6:37 pmTraded up from a Mustang GT because I wanted the performance but needed the room. This 4000+ pound vehicle handles better and goes faster than the Mustang. I bought it for performance not mileage, so the gas pump doesnt scare me. This is the new generation muscle car that you will see in car shows for years to come.
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Wow - 2006 Dodge Charger
By tj leahy - August 31 - 3:01 pmThis car handles like a dream. I have to look down at the speedo to make sure I`m not going too fast. It is very quiet inside at any speed and is wonderful on a long drive.
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Its got a Hemi - 2007 Dodge Charger
By burgermeister - August 29 - 6:34 pmThis is really a fun car to drive. Ride and handling are great. A terrific highway vehicle. When you step down on the gas, it goes. Mileage is about 22 MPG on the highway, 19 around town. I stand 6 5" and I have plenty of head and leg room, front and rear. Has a big trunk, and rear seats fold forward to accommodate long items.
