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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  06 Charger Daytona Go-Man-Go #996 of 4k - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By tracey lehfeld - February 17 - 10:00 pm

  My wife and I purchased this car 3 months to the day and it has been the best car we ever had. It is a lot quicker than our 03 Mustang GT we traded in. A lot more comfortable as well. We get a lot of stares going down the street because of the color. The 5.7 Hemi is very good, dependable, and quick as well as the 5spd autostick. It handles like a sportscar,and the fact it has independent rear suspension, that was a big plus. The interior is very nice and roomy lots of space for the passengers in back. It doesnt have that plastic smell that most interiors have either. The trunk is exceptionally large and the fact the rear seats fold down is a plus. This will be a car to last a long time.

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  Charger a good choice for car fun - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By michael fortner - December 19 - 4:10 am

  Wow what a car! I cant drive more than a mile or two without someone slowing down or turning a head to look at this pure muscle car. The cockpit is perfect, and the power is so cool! Gas mileage is more on the bottom range of 15 city and 20 hwy, but who buys a muscle car for the gas economy?

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  Phenomenal Value - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Josh L - December 5 - 11:46 am

  I rented the V6 and immediately noticed the comfortable ride, spacious interior, and well designed exterior. The SRT8 adds power that will push you back in your seat, extremely sporty and comfortable seats, and many options that you wouldnt expect from a sports car. I wanted a sports car but needed a family car. This gave me the look, feel, sound, and performance of a sports car with the room and convinience of a family car.

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  This machine is awesome. Way to go Dodge! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By SE FOLGADO - October 29 - 3:06 pm

  Awesome car. Drives great, very comfortable. Great gas mileage due to MDS. Way to go Dodge! I wouldnt change anything. Perhaps just add one more color. A nice light blue that Dodge already has. They have the Dodge Ram trucks in a nice light blue. I think the Charger would look great in that color! Otherwise, its an awesome car. I highly recommend it. Its worth every penny! I love it!

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  Sweet Ride - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By RIP - October 26 - 8:20 pm

  I love my Charger, it performs great. 0-60 fast, even pulling 4000 pounds. Lots of room and you still feel cool driving down the road.

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  The best car ever made - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By misty - October 17 - 2:20 am

  I said that I would never own a four door car, I would only drive SUVs, but after only a two mile test drive I was sold on the Charger. It still has a lot of attitude even though its a sedan. I love everything about this car, although I do think the cruise control looks a little weird. I wouldnt trade it for the world. If you pull out in front of cars like I do, you never have to worry about getting out of the way fast enough. Its 0 to 60 is amazing, and it handles like dream.

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  Charger SRT 8 - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Rick Wilmeth - October 7 - 1:03 pm

  I have owned the car for just three weeks and so far it is fantastic. The ride is good for a performance car and the performance is excellent. I had a 69 Hemi Charger and this car is far superior in most respects. I have an on board performance computer and the car has run 0-60 in 4.8 sec and the 1/4 mile in 12.9 sec. It is a great value for the price.

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  Lovin it - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Matt - October 7 - 8:20 am

  Picked up my Black SXT about a month ago. So far I love everything about it, from the looks, to the ride, to the performance. Ive had a few service station guys ask me to pop the hood so they could look and Ive just got the V6.

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  Precious memories revisited - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Robert Sponseller - September 5 - 12:56 pm

  With the introduction of the "K" car, I wrote Chrysler Corp. off, now with the Charger Im back again. My Charger Daytona R/T has taken 50 yrs. off my life! Its very difficult to find fault with anything about this vehicle. The only thing bad is this Dodge has radar target written all over it. I guess its either be careful or pay the man. Dodges blending the old school, Hemi V8, rear wheel drive, and slightly retro styling with new tech. Great supension, stability control, M.D.S., etc. has made it with me, and I hope enough other people to keep it going.

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  Love it - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By will57 - September 3 - 7:23 am

  I just bought my Charger and love it. It handles like a dream and power....WOW all you will need. The new 2006 Charger outranks any 6 cylinder import by far. Great overall vehicle and would recommend it to anyone who wants a quilty car for a good price.