Few cars have lasted as long as the American Dodge Charger sedan, which debuted as a 2005 model. More remarkably, this feat was accomplished through a significant redesign. Regular updating of the list of engine options is one of the main reasons for its longevity and continued relevance
WHAT”S new
The Hellcat version is also available in the limited Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition. This model has 717 horsepower and features 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, “Daytona” and “392” decals, and Alcantara/leather upholstery with the Daytona logo. A total of 501 copies will be produced.
The choice of engines starts with the “workhorse” V-6 and continues with three separate V-8s. For an authentic Charger experience, V-8 power is highly desirable and even necessary.
In the rear-wheel drive Charger SXT and GT models, buyers will find the time-honored 3.6-liter V-6 engine producing 292 horsepower and 352 lb-ft of torque. With all-wheel drive, the V-6 in GT models develops 300 horsepower and 357 lb-ft of torque. The V-6 is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission known for its responsiveness and efficiency.
The standard 5.7-liter eight-cylinder engine for the R / T version produces 370 horses and 535 Nm of torque. The only transmission is an 8-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive is not available. Switching to the R/T Scat Pack brings a six-liter V-8 that generates 485 horses at 644 lb-ft.
The SRT version of the Hellcat is a supercharged six-liter V-8 that develops 707 horses and 880 lb-ft. The Hellcat is so powerful that it has a two-key ignition system. Using the “black key” limits power to 500 horsepower.
Fuel economy and safety
Gas mileage varies greatly by engine, from reasonable with a V-6 to terrible with a V-8 SRT Hellcat. With rear-wheel drive, the V-6 Charger consumes 12.3 liters per 100 kilometers in the city, 7.8 liters on the highway, 10.2 liters in mixed mode. All-wheel drive increases consumption by one liter per 100 kilometers.
The Charger consumes 14.7/9.4/12.3 liters per 100 kilometers with a 5.7-liter V-8 or 15.6/9.8/13 liters per 100 kilometers with a 6.4-liter V-8. The most greedy of all is the SRT Hellcat, with a consumption of 19.6/11.2/15.6 liters per 100 kilometers. Premium gasoline is required for 6.4 and 6.2 liter V-8 engines.
Due in large part to age, the fundamental crash structure of the Dodge Charger is not working, leading to nasty safety ratings. Testing of the 2020-2021 Dodge Charger by the NHTSA has not been completed, but a federal agency has awarded the 2019 model a five-star overall safety rating. It received no awards from the IIHS, earning a “Limit” rating for the driver’s seat front small overlap test and a “Bad” rating for the headlights.
Standard safety precautions are minimal. All models are equipped with rear parking sensors, while only the SRT Hellcats are equipped with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning are additional charges.
Options and prices
The Dodge Charger comes in five trim levels: SXT, GT, R/T, Scat Pack, and SRT Hellcat Widebody.
- The base model SXT starts at $31,390 and comes with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine. It also gets cloth upholstery, remote start, keyless start and interior access, eight-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear sensors parking and 17-inch alloy wheels.
- The $33,390 GT trim has an 8.4-inch touchscreen, houndstooth fabric upholstery, functional suspension, beefy hood, shift paddles, sculpted side sills, and 20-inch wheels.
- The R/T sedan costs $37,890 and goes up to a 5.7-liter V-8. It also includes black forged 20-inch wheels, a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel and an electronically controlled active exhaust system.
- The $41,490 Scat Pack includes a 6.4-liter V-8, high-performance suspension, four-piston Brembo front brakes, launch control, a heated steering wheel, and heated front seats. Widebody versions replace the adaptive suspension.
- The top-of-the-line SRT Hellcat Widebody is $73,240 and includes a supercharged V-8, six-piston Brembo front brakes, adaptive suspension, adjustable steering, all-season performance tires, blind-spot monitoring, heated rear seats with leather upholstery, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Exterior
Unchanged since its debut in 2005, the Charger’s modern silhouette was inspired by the Coke bottle profile of the 1960s. The basic, undeniably American design seems to get the opposite reaction. Some people like it, some don’t.
Base SXT models look pretty ordinary, but higher trims add flashy extras like hood scoops, chiselled accents on brokerage panels and various spoilers.
driving experience
Like its forebears, the Charger performs best as a cruiser rather than a tarmac gymnast. Even so, the V-8 models are good in corners, aided by stiffer springs and sharper damping.
The V-6 engine is powerful enough, the Charger seems to be craving the power of the V-8. It’s a fairly docile sedan under gentle handling, but the V-8 engine is ready to deliver a massive burst of power when the pedal is pushed harder. One of the downsides of the Dodge is the weird electronic shifter, which isn’t always intuitive.
As the name suggests, the Hellcat delivers punchy acceleration and grips well on pavement. Models with smaller wheels ride comfortably over long distances. In the presence of an adaptive suspension, the reaction to problem areas improves. However, ride comfort can be reduced due to the Scat Pack’s stiffer suspension and larger wheels.
Noise in the cabin is muted, except for models with large wheels and low-profile tires. The R/T version makes a deep rumble from its exhaust, but the active exhaust system on higher V-8 trims muffles the sound.
Despite its advanced age, the 2020-2021 Dodge Charger continues to exude considerable charm, unlike its two-door Challenger counterpart. Each version serves as a quiet highway cruiser until the gas pedal hits the floor. The no-frills SXT delivers respectable value, but the best choice in this area is the Scat Pack. With its 6.4-liter V-8, the Scat Pack performs close to the SRT Hellcat for a lot less money.