| The Dodge Charger hints at the classic muscle car with which it shares its name, yet is a roomy, practical and comfortable 4-door sedan. At the top of the line, the Charger R/T brings serious high performance. Chargers come in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive form. The Charger features a near-50/50 weight distribution, so it has surprising poise on curvy roads. Prices start at a very affordable $25,170. |
| The Dodge Charger was re-introduced in 2006, with much of the same muscle-car character as its ancestor. With a powerful V6 or V8 engine, rear-wheel drive and a big, roomy interior, it has a lot of the same appeal as the Charger of the past. For 2011, the Charger gets its first major revision since its reintroduction. This means a new engine lineup, a new exterior restyling, a more stylish interior but all the same highlights that made the re-imagined Charger such a winner.
Three different models of the Charger cover the range from comfort-oriented V6 sedan all the way up to true 4-door muscle car. The base Charger includes a 3.6L V6 that uses variable valve timing to make 292 horsepower and 260 lb-feet of torque. The Charger R/T comes with a 5.7L Hemi V8 that can do 370 horsepower and 395 lb-feet of torque. It also uses variable valve timing to make power and multi-displacement system that shuts down some cylinders while cruising to save fuel. The R/T is also available with all-wheel drive. All Chargers feature a 5-speed automatic transmission with Autostick manual control.
Across the Charger model line, a short- and long-arm front suspension setup and independent multi-link rear suspension help give the Charger a smooth ride without sacrificing control. For 2011, Dodge retuned the suspension to improve handling. All-wheel-drive versions of the Charger provide all-weather handling and have an active transfer case and front axle disconnect that helps improve fuel economy.
The base Charger is very well equipped for the price. The standard equipment includes 17-inch aluminum wheels, a CD/MP3/WMA stereo with a USB port, power-adjustable front seat, steering wheel audio controls, power windows and locks, keyless entry, dual-zone air-conditioning, traction control, electronic stability control and six airbags.
The Rallye package adds 18-inch wheels, satellite radio, dual-zone climate controls, heated mirrors, fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats and an upgraded stereo with an 8.4-inch touch-screen display.
The base R/T's 5.7L Hemi V8 already means it's a serious performance machine. Anti-lock brakes are standard, as are 18-inch aluminum wheels. The R/T gets a spoiler, HID headlamps, fog lamps, heated mirrors, a touch-screen stereo with Bluetooth and satellite radio and remote start.
The R/T Plus package adds leather seats, heated and cooled cupholders, heated rear seats and power-lumbar for the driver and front passenger.
The enthusiast-oriented Road/Track package upgrades the Charger with a bona-fide performance suspension, 20-inch chrome wheels, a 3.06 rear axle and a performance engine controller.
Options across the lineup include adaptive cruise control with collision warning, heated steering wheel, blind-spot detection, rain-sensitive wipers, Garmin navigation, a rear-back-up camera, a 500-watt stereo with subwoofer and a power sunroof. |