Our Opinion - 2023 Dodge Charger Review The Dodge Charger has been free for a few years now. Muscle cars are made to go as fast as possible between street lights. The current Charger model has been around for almost ten years. It looks timeless, but it only has rear-wheel drive and a 292-hp V-6 as options. Think of this version as the gentle older man of the group. On the other hand, the Chargers can both talk and fight. Upgrade to the R/T trim level to get the 3.7-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8 engine. The 6.4-liter, 485-hp V-8 engine in a Scat Pack vehicle gives it power. Even though the supercharged Hellcat variants are getting crazier, they are still judged separately. The Charger is just like an old police car in how it drives. And the Charger, a sedan version of the gasoline-powered Challenger coupe, keeps running even though the world is moving toward other types of energy. The Charger is a V-8-powered car that will one day break all the rules, but for now, it is loud and proud. What's New? Dodge has clarified that the current Charger will no longer be made after the 2023 season. As this chapter comes to a close, it’s almost certain that the next-generation Charger will have an electric engine, with horsepower at the top of the list. Dodge will offer well-known Charger colors from the past, like Plum Crazy, B5 Blue, and Sublime Green, as well as unique “Last Call” plaques under the hood to mark the end of the current generation. All R/T models have a special “345” logo on the front fender to honor the Hemi V-8 engine under the car’s tall, vented hood. Pros and Cons Pros: Exciting options for V8 engines Inside and in the trunk An infotainment system that is easy to use Cons: Insufficient cabin supplies There are a few safety features that you’d expect. The V8 type could use fuel better. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The Charger’s loud sounds and big V-8 engine are a nod to its NASCAR roots. Even though not every Charger has a powerful Hemi V-8 engine under the hood, they all come with an excellent eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive as standard. On the other hand, the V-6 is quieter, and you can choose to have an all-wheel drive with it. The Dodge Charger is not available with a manual transmission, which is a shame because this feature would make the car much more fun to drive. Even though the basic V-6 isn’t a weakling, it doesn’t have the “get up and go” of front-drive cars like the Nissan Maxima. On the drag strip, the more powerful versions do better. For example, the 485-hp Charger R/T Scat Pack went from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The 370-hp Charger is better at what it does than most family sedans. We were calm and collected as we drove around town in the flashy (Green Go) Charger. Its huge 20-inch wheels moved most of the time quickly, but railroad crossings and potholes made it hard to control. The big car was also perfectly balanced when it turned. The V-6 version we rode had a similar cornering grip, but the Daytona was more fun because it had much more horsepower. Even though the Charger’s power steering is helped by electricity, it is too slow and heavy to be interesting. When we tested several Chargers to see how well they stopped in an emergency, the ones with better brakes and more gripping summer performance tires did the best. Safety There are a few driver-assist systems in the big Dodge sedan, like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. On base models, you can’t get the most complicated options, and they cost a lot. Among the most critical safety features are: There are options like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Some lane-departure warnings and components help you stay in your lane. There is an option for a forward collision warning. Internal and External Cargo Capacity With more rubberized materials than an adult movie set, the Charger’s interior is handy but could be more luxurious. Even though there is a lot of legroom in the back seats, the passenger cabin is small. Even though the inside isn’t very fancy, it is a typical muscle car. Even though the Charger’s trunk was about the same size as most of its competitors, it could fit one more carry-on box than its competitors. It could carry 18 pounds, which was three more than the Maxima and the Kia Stinger hatchback. The center console has several small storage spaces and a slot near the shifter where you can put your phone. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The Charger is a vast, heavy car that uses a lot of gas. Even though its EPA ratings are lower than the average for cities, its highway ratings are good. The V-6 with all-wheel drive and the bigger V-8 with 485 horsepower have been put through our rigorous testing process; however, the 5.7-liter V-8 has yet to be put through our testing on our 75-mph real-world fuel-economy route. This is an essential component of our testing procedure. On the highway, the six-cylinder engine got 26 mpg, while the eight-cylinder engine only got 25 mpg. Both engines were going about a mile per hour faster or slower than the other. Infotainment and Connectivity Every Challenger comes with the great Uconnect entertainment system as standard. So, it would help if you had a 7.0-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreen that can work with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Even though the system we tested responded quickly, it didn’t have a Wi-Fi hotspot or other extra features that it could only use by touching the screen. Price and How to Choose The Charger R/T has the best mix of speed and features, thanks to its 5.7-liter V-8 with 370 horsepower. You can only get the V-6 versions if you want an all-wheel drive. Even though it costs about $5,000 more than the R/T, the Scat Pack’s larger 485-hp V-8 makes the car go faster again. Our options include a pulsing dual-mode exhaust, a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, and 20-inch wheels, in addition to the standard 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We recommend the Driver Convenience Group, which has upgraded headlights, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, heated outside mirrors, and other features.
