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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impressive, first experience with the car - 2015 Dodge Charger
By Ron - February 9 - 1:46 amvery impressed and pleased with our choice. (wished I could have found the 5.7) but all is going great with the charger, and no complaints. went to the dealer to look around only, and 2 hours later we left in a sxt plus.
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This car rocks - 2006 Dodge Charger
By joey bad dude - January 28 - 1:30 pmI got my Dodge Charger R/T with the road and track performance package on May 12th. This car puts an ear to ear grin on my face. The ride is fantastic. It handles like a charm. The acceleration is outstanding. I also like the fact that you get a lot of space if you have a family and you get a fun car with 350 hp V8 with multi displacement (a plus for fuel economy especially now with gas prices at $3 a gallon) all in one car that is a pleasure to own and drive.
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Worth every penny! - 2006 Dodge Charger
By DA X 6 - December 23 - 8:23 pmEasily the best car Ive ever owned, and IMO the best car for the money. Nothing else combines the power, acceleration, and handling of the Charger with the convenience of 4 doors and 5-passenger seating.
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Black Charger SRT8 - 2006 Dodge Charger
By Yvette - December 17 - 10:26 pmThe Charger SRT8 is the most incredible car I have ever driven. The acceleration is awesome. The car attracts a lot of stares and questions. Be prepared for the question: "That got a HEMI in it?" Just be careful about staying near the speed limit - it also attracts the police.
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Charger RT - 2006 Dodge Charger
By JessMardlin - December 10 - 7:03 pmMy Charger RT is equipped with a 5.7 Hemi engine. Not only does it have get up and go, it also gets great mileage. Equipped with something new from Dodge, you can actually feel the transmission switch between 8 and 4 cylinders. My daughter loves the DVD player and I love the fact that she can listen with headphones so I do not have to! We took it on an 800 mile trip and my back never bothered me once. Its also nice to see heads turn as you drive by!
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From Cherokee to Charger - 2006 Dodge Charger
By Tulsashag - December 5 - 3:10 am17mpg in town is hard to obtain when something is this much fun to drive. I average something closer to 15 - 16mpg. With 4 doors and a huge trunk, my wife and two small children have plenty of leg room.
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Fun & Affordable - 2006 Dodge Charger
By nick - November 16 - 6:06 amBefore buying the 2006 Daytona Charger, we looked at Mustangs, Corvettes, Monte Carlo etc. but they dont hold a candle to this Dodge. Whoever designed this car must have loved their job! It is unique enough to get admiring looks (the other cars are a dime a dozen), sporty enough to be fun to drive in the "real world" (traffic jams etc.)yet large enough to function everyday (grocerys, kids etc.)For the money, Its the best car Ive ever owned.
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Love it! - 2006 Dodge Charger
By dpolara - November 9 - 6:06 pmWhen was the last time you were stopped by perfect strangers who wanted to talk to you about your awsome ride? Well get used to it if you get yourself a 2006 Charger. Very fun to drive and solid handling.
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want it to be mine! - 2016 Dodge Charger
By Jean Koone - November 3 - 2:13 pmLoved my rental of the Dodge Challenger and so did my 3 1/2 year old grand daughter
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Sporty Family Car - 2006 Dodge Charger
By Paul L - October 18 - 7:03 amI had no trade in and was looking for a car to fit a family of 5 which included me (62" 260#s) and 3 growing boys along with my wife. It had to excite me but not break me. After researching and test driving this car, I was sold. I have never had more comments about a new car as I have had with this car. Its roomy like an SUV yet drives like a sports car. I wish I could have afforded the Hemi but the V6 is fine. I have noticed if I gun the car from a dead stop i get the rear wheels spinning a bit and in some snow i got a little slide but now that I am used to the car, I know what to do and what not to do. The Sirius radio is a must. The cruise control knob is a pain as is the trip knob.
