The Dodge brand is often labeled as the ‘bad boy’ of automobiles in the United States. The Michigan-based automaker is responsible for making some of the most outrageously powerful production muscle cars in automotive history. Dodge performance vehicles lineup includes the newest entrant, the Dodge Hornet, the Challenger, the Charger, and the Durango.
The modern-day Dodge Charger is a four-door sedan that has been produced by Dodge since 2005. Dodge engineered the Charger to continue the muscle car legacy of the iconic two-door classic Charger and replace the aging Intrepid as Dodge’s full-size sedan. The Charger nameplate was entering its sixth generation by the time the four-door sedan hit the road. The first four-door charger was powered by variations of V6 and V8 engines. The most powerful of these engines was the six-liter V-8 fitted in the SRT-8 model. It produced 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque.
Sales for the four-door Dodge Charger have been impressive, with reports estimating that the sedan has sold over 1.5 million units since '05. In comparison, its two-door sibling, the Challenger, has sold just little over 700,000 units since 2008. With such sales figures and its iconic nameplate, the Charger has definitely earned its place in Dodge’s lineup. These are some of the reasons that make the new Charger a great muscle car. However since no car is perfect, I will also touch upon some areas where the Dodge Charger falls short.
10 Insane Horsepower And Torque
Although 425 horsepower is still nothing to scoff at even by today's standards, Dodge has significantly improved the power output and performance of the Charger. The SRT variants are powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Power figures from the most powerful Charger, the Redeye Jailbreak are 807 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque.
The true measure of a muscle car is its speed in a straight line, and the Charger SRT does not disappoint. According to a Car and Driver review, the SRT Hellcat posted a 3.8-second time from 0 to 60 miles an hour, completing the standing quarter mile in 11.9 seconds. The SRT Redeye posted even better figures with a 0 to 60 miles per hour time of 3.5 seconds and covering the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds at a 126 miles per hour top speed. Dodge says that the Charger SRT Redeye Jailbreak is the fastest and most powerful production muscle car in the world.
9 The Ear-Splitting Supercharged HEMI V-8 Sound
Where would muscle cars be without their engine sounds? The supercharged HEMI V-8 has so far given us some of the most glorious engine notes of any powerplant - that complementing supercharger whining sound is just angelic.
The sound of the engine is just as significant as the speed and the power of muscle car manufacturers. Dodge indeed takes pride in the sounds produced by the engine of its SRT Chargers. The Michigan automaker actually allows you to experience the sound of the HEMI V-8 engine for its Challenger models on the company’s website.
8 Affordable Pricing, Mind Blowing Performance
The power of top trim SRT Chargers is only comparable to supercar performance. But, unlike most new supercars, the Charger’s cost per horsepower is value for money. Entry-level Chargers have an MSRP starting from $32,645. The SXT produces 300 horsepower and 212 pound-feet of torque. A new Porsche Panamera with comparable numbers will cost you upwards of $130,000 before options. A new BMW 530 series with the same performance will have a price range of $50,000 to $60,000 depending on the specifications.
On the top end, the Charger SRT Jailbreak has a starting price of $89,135. As stated earlier, it can produce up to 807 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque. To put the affordability of the Charger in perspective, the Ferrari 812 Superfast has 789 horsepower and 512 pound-feet of torque. The Ferrari 812 Superfast costs over $401,000. That is almost five times the price of a Dodge Charger SRT Jailbreak.
7 The Charger Is A Practical Muscle Car
You can literally drop off your children at school and head straight to the track with a Dodge Charger SRT. On your way, nobody will dare challenge you at the stoplight when they notice the SRT badge. Despite all that power and torque, the Charger still has four doors and four seats, and can be daily driven. Being a full-size sedan, the Charger is also spacious, and the rear seat occupants will be comfortable on long drives.
Other practical modern-day conveniences include leather seats, climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, infotainment, and navigation. It also has a practically spacious boot for a muscle car.
6 Choice Of Trims
There are currently eight 2022 models of the Charger according to the Dodge website. Three of those models are SRTs. There are seven models for the 2023 model year with two being SRTs. In the 2022 lineup, the SRT Hellcat Widebody starts at $79,445, the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody starts at $88,140, and the SRT Jailbreak starts at $89,135. All the SRTs are only available in rear-wheel drive.
In the 2023 lineup, the SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak starts at $80,835 and the SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak starts at $89,435. These models are also only available in rear-wheel drive.
Current choice of trims/models for sale:
| Model Year | Model | MSRP |
| 2022 | SRT Hellcat Widebody | $79,445 |
| 2022 | SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody | $88,140 |
| 2022 | SRT Jailbreak | $89,135 |
| 2023 | SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak starts | $80,835 |
| 2023 | SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak | $89,435 |
5 The HEMI V-8 Engine Is A Thirsty One
Now lets look at some of the down sides. Most people who buy Dodge Chargers are well aware of its fuel consumption ratings. It might be a practical full-size four-door sedan, but make no mistake; it still consumes fuel like a proper muscle car. For comparison, the EPA estimates that the fuel consumption of a standard 2023 V-6 Charger is about 23 miles to the gallon and 426 miles in a full tank.
On the other hand, the 2023 Dodge Charger SRT Widebody has a combined city and highway rating of 15 miles to the gallon and can only cover about 278 miles in a full tank. This is definitely not a vehicle for the environmentally conscious folks. Of course, you can't forget the $2100 fuel guzzler tax you have to remit when buying the vehicle.
4 Premature Suspension Issues
This is a problem not unique to the charger. It affects most muscle cars including its two-door sibling, the Challenger. There is usually a lot of stress on the mechanical components of the suspension setup when a vehicle is running. So, you can imagine constantly maintaining such insane amounts of horsepower and torque regularly throughout the lifespan of a muscle car.
It is usually very difficult. Parts are often failing or breaking down. The Charger has it worse because it cannot function as a daily driver if there are mechanical issues. In most cases, Dodge Charger and Challenger suspension components usually need to be overhauled or replaced much more quickly than in regular production vehicles.
3 Relatively High Costs Of Maintenance
It goes without saying that muscle cars need to be tuned and serviced after a day at the racetrack. The Charger is no different. The forces and pressure exerted on the power train, transmission, and wheels when tearing down the racetrack dictate that the charger requires extra care for it to function at optimum as a daily driver. Racing, of course, leads to premature wear and tear of components like braking systems and suspension.
Some of these parts actually cost a pretty penny and those who frequently race their Chargers find themselves incurring additional costs of vehicle maintenance. These costs can accumulate over the years to the point where owning the Charger does not make any financial sense. This is especially true when the car is aging. Oil leaks, for example, can set you back as much as $1,500. The practicality of a Charger is inversely proportional to the amount of racing it does.
2 Limited Driver Assist Features
The Charger has a five-star crashworthiness rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That being said, the Charger is significantly limited when it comes to driver-assist features. At its price point, features like cruise control and post-crash alert technologies should be standard. But, you have to pay extra to have them fitted. Driver assist features are also important since Dodge actually markets the Charger as a full-size sedan.
In the muscle car category, the Charger SRT can be compared to the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. As standard, the Camaro has a forward-collision warning (in the coupe) and blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. All these safety and driver-assist features come standard in almost all production vehicles with a comparable performance from its European rivals.
1 The Dodge Charger Lineup Was Starting To Look Dated
In an age where vehicles are updated on average every two years, the Dodge Charger certainly feels like it needs a refresh. The last time the sedan was updated was essentially a facelift in 2015 with minor cosmetic changes here and there ever since. The interior is also starting to show its age, especially with the cheap-feeling plastic dials and buttons.
The infotainment display of the charger does not belong on a $90,000 vehicle in 2023. Sedans at this price point like the BMW M5 Competition have a premium interior thanks to premium carbon fiber and Leather/Alcantara trims. Even the comparably priced Ford Mustang GT500 has a better interior.
Dodge has released news that it will be discontinuing the Charger and Challenger models by the end of 2023. This unexpected move of halting the production of some of its best-selling models might be the reason why the American automaker has not invested in redesigning the models in recent times.