Want an old-school large American sedan, brash and bold, packing V8 muscle and a soundtrack that punctuates its lack of political correctness? That's the Dodge Charger. Just don't tell anyone that it's also refined, comfortable, and luxurious. After all, it's got a macho image to protect.
Over the years, the Charger has moved from being merely a caricature of a classic American sedan to becoming a fully developed and satisfying car. It relies on a solid structure inherited from Mercedes-Benz, uses a world-class eight-speed automatic that is also used in Audis, BMWs, and Jaguars, and has one of the best infotainment systems in the business. Ultimately, the Charger is not just about brawn. It packs some sophistication and offers a lot of bang for the buck. Under a luxury brand name, a sedan delivering that much content and performance would cost another $20,000 or more.
The Charger is a large car that delivers generous accommodations with plenty of elbow room, a roomy backseat, and a large trunk. The cabin has a genuinely premium feel, from the comfortable, multi-adjustable seats and luxurious dashboard to the comfortable ride and quiet cabin. The Uconnect infotainment system makes interacting with your phone, apps and other features easy and stress-free.
Of course, you'll want to enjoy the thrust and sound of the V8...and there's no denying it's enjoyable. With 20 mpg overall, you don't have to feel too guilty about it. Handling is commendably responsive for such a large sedan, but it's not as athletic as the more focused and sportier alternative, the Chevrolet SS.
The Charger's coupe-like silhouette cuts in on rear and side visibility as well as rear-cabin access. The flip-style door handles are a bit of a pain.
While the Charger scores big in owner satisfaction-presumably by virtue of style, performance, and relative affordability-reliability has been its Achilles heel.