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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  69 r/t vs 06 r/t - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By charger man - June 25 - 8:26 am

  To do justice for the newer Charger, one has to base it on experience, which I can do because I have a 69 r/t big block with the 440, automatic. Back in 69 carmakers were not worried about gas mileage, nor were they worried about quality. If it performed, it was great. The 69 was a 2 door coupe and the 06 is a 4 door sedan which is something people can complain about, but they have to know that Chrysler did its homework. The 06 Charger r/t is a fun car to drive. It has power on demand. It is very comfortable, well designed and handling and braking are amazing. It has simple badging which I think should be addressed, like have something besides the Hemi on the side of the car to ID it

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  Simply Awesome - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By terry lee - May 30 - 1:53 pm

  So much power! This is the fastest car weve ever had. With the jet chip and functional ram air hood, this thing still gets 21 mpg going to Sacramento. I wish everyone could ride in our car.The road and track package does it all. Seats cradle your body as you take high speed turns you never thought about doing. There is a great deal of traction all the time. My wife loves to take the car to work because those guys in BMWs strain their necks to get a good look at it.

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  Not your old Charger! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Doug Jackson - May 11 - 8:03 pm

  Daimler influence on style and interior features is unmistakable. The Hemi, though, is pure American muscle. I hear the marriage with Daimler and Chrysler has been bumpy, but this car is a great example of a successful collaboration. Meets my large car needs while giving me a sporty, fast, and great-looking car. What a concept!

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  WOW!!! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By oheeare - May 11 - 2:56 am

  This R/T is one unbelievable car... The 5.7L Hemi is very responsive and fast. Not too bad on gas consumption due to the computerized switching from 8 to 6 to 4 cylinders, depending on the cruising situation--all occurs in 1/25th of a second. UConnect bluetooth set up with bluetooth enabled cell phones. Alpine Navigation with Boston Acoustic sound system. Leather accoutrements. The autolink transmission has the auto/manual feature that adds to the fun to drive quotient.

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  No a Sports Car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Uwe - April 30 - 12:30 pm

  Since I have the Charger, people ask me "And its fast, isnt it?" Well, its not slow, but its 4100+ pounds take some time to get moving. 0-60 in 5 seconds according to various reviews. A sporty car, not a sports car. My 349HP MB SLK32 is a sports car. Lousy gas mileage (as expected). Nice interior. Stereo (mine has the high-end one) a bit disappointing due to some lack in bass. Seats not fully leather, but then again this is a under $40k car. Some people think the windows are too small, I dont. No idea what the stability control is there for, mine never seems to kick in. Comfortable ride. Too long to fit in my garage with the motorcycle (I traded this for a KIA Sorento which did fit).

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  Go Man Go! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By lazrguy - April 17 - 10:36 pm

  Ive always wanted the type of car which has posters made of it. This vehicle fits the bill. If youre looking for a Honda, buy a Honda. If youre looking for a Charger, nothing else will quite do it. I have looked long and hard for a vehicle that would haul groceries and really haul at the same time. My opinion is that the Daytona Package is worth the money, but that is completely a matter of opinion as the Road and Track package gets the good without the loud paint. I happen to like the loud paint. I get lots of looks in the car. Let the midlife crisis begin!

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By jc153 - April 4 - 5:26 pm

  Im a short person so i thought it would be too much car for me but its so much fun. It really has some power even though its just a v6. Lots of room on the inside and a big trunk. The only thing for some reason the side mirror seems too big. When Im turning it kind of blocks my view.

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By texdew - March 8 - 12:00 am

  Purchased the Charger SXT last week and have had a ball driving it. Favorite Feature: The style of the outside and practicality of the inside.(4 doors and large trunk) Improvement: No sunroof/moonroof. Suggestion: Go buy one!

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  Charger Notes - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Cusefan80 - March 7 - 5:00 pm

  Charger with 3.5L is a good balance between performance and practicality. Since I do a lot of city driving the HEMI scared me if gas prices go much higher. Have been an import owner for years so this car is a bit different. Love the exterior styling. Definitely could use more "gingerbread" features on the interior. The dash is nice but the interior is loaded with cheapish looking materials, even the "leather" seats appear to be more vinyl. Drives beautifully, nice and quiet and good pick-up. I got the power sunroof as to not feel closed in by its low windshield as I am a taller person.

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  Comfy Hot Rod - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By Gary Engmann - March 5 - 6:06 am

  A pleasure to drive with awesome power. Have had for almost two years, with not a problem one. On recent trip from Cleveland, TN to Atlanta, GA averaged over 26 mpg on a single tank of gas for the whole trip. Impressive!