Four-Door Muscle Car
The Dodge Charger started out as a legendary muscle car, and morphed into a modern four-door sedan, But the Charger didn’t leave its muscle car spirit behind. While other sedan play it safe, the Charger aims for excitement with extroverted styling and serious performance, including available Hemi V8 engines. Who said sedans had to be boring?
Performance
Like its legendary 1960s predecessor, the 2016 Dodge Charger is all about performance. It may be a four-door sedan, but the Charger has the heart of a muscle car. No matter which of the available engines you choose, the Charger offers a more exciting driving experience than the competition.
Base SE and SXT models get Chrysler’s stalwart 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, with 292 horsepower (300 hp with the optional Rallye Group) and 260 pound-feet of torque (264 lb-ft with Rallye Group). All Charger models use an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the V6 gets standard rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. With rear-wheel drive, the V6 gets an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined (19 mpg city, 31 mpg highway)* with rear-wheel drive, and 21 mpg combined (18 mpg city, 27 mpg highway)* with all-wheel drive.
The Charger is also available with three versions of Chrysler’s legendary Hemi V8. The 5.7-liter version available in the Charger R/T produces 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. Of the three Hemi variants, it offers the best balance between performance and fuel economy, boasting an EPA-rated 19 mpg combined (16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway)* with rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive isn’t available on V8 models.
The Charger R/T Scat Pack and SRT 392 models get additional performance modifications like Brembo® brakes and beefier suspension, plus a bigger Hemi. The 6.4-liter version produces 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, enough for 0 to 60 mph in the mid-4.0 second range, says Dodge. Both models get an EPA-rated 18 mpg combined (15 mpg city, 25 mpg highway).*
Finally, there’s the Charger SRT Hellcat. This beast boasts a 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8, with a barely believable 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat also gets numerous upgrades to handle all of that power, including the largest brakes ever fitted to a production Dodge. The Hellcat will run the quarter mile in 11.0 seconds and reach a top speed of over 200 mph, says Dodge. Also, it gets an EPA-rated 16 mpg combined (13 mpg city, 22 mpg highway).*
Features
The 2016 Dodge Charger is a four-door, five-seat full-size sedan. Dodge offers no shortage of choice, with no less than seven trim levels, priced starting at $27,995.**
The base Charger SE comes fairly well equipped with standard features like an electronic shifter, LED daytime running lights and taillights, 17-inch aluminum wheels, dual exhaust with chrome tips, customizable 7.0-inch driver information display and 5.0-inch central touchscreen, two USB charging ports, Bluetooth®, media hub with USB port and SD card reader, power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, air conditioning, and 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat.
The Charger SXT incorporates all of the applicable standard features of the SE, and adds an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, heated front seats and exterior mirrors, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, Alpine premium audio system, and other features. The optional Blacktop Appearance Group (available on the SXT and R/T) adds dark interior and exterior cosmetic accents.
The Charger R/T adds the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, as well as extra standard features like a rear spoiler, 20-inch alloy wheels, and performance tuned suspension and exhaust. The R/T Road & Track model adds the Super Track Pak performance package and Dodge Performance Pages feature for the Uconnect infotainment system, heated and ventilated Nappa leather and Alcantara performance seats, heated steering wheel, driver’ seat memory, and power adjustable pedals and steering column.
The two 6.4-liter Hemi V8 models add even more performance capability. The R/T Scat Pack gets an active exhaust system, aluminum hood and other sporty exterior add-ons, paddle shifters, high-performance suspension, Brembo® brakes, and other features. The SRT 392 includes those items, plus launch control, bigger Brembo® brakes, adaptive suspension, harmon/kardon® premium audio system, and more.
The SRT Hellcat gets the 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi, plus a full menu of model-specific suspension, brake, electronic, and styling modifications. It also has two key fobs—red and black—to control engine output, with only the red key unleashing the full 707 hp.
Design
The 2016 Dodge Charger makes an unmistakable statement with its expressive styling. The elongated body and low roofline, combined with a chopped-off flat tail, recall the classic 1968 Charger coupe. At the same time, the front fascia with its LED daytime running lights gives the Charger a modern appearance, while working well with the more retro elements.
The interior is as spacious as you’d expect in a four-door sedan, 104.7 cubic feet of interior volume. The available Uconnect® infotainment system with 8.4-inch touchscreen is straightforward and easy to use, and the cabin features sporty touches like the electronic shifter for the eight-speed transmission, and the flat-bottomed steering wheel available on SRT models.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Dodge Charger includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and seven standard airbags.
Verdict
The 2016 Dodge Charger may be a modern four-door family sedan, but it channels the spirit of a 1960s muscle car.
Be sure to contact us online or visit Cutter Automotive Galleries at 805 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813 to schedule a test drive.
*EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary depending on driving habits and conditions.
** MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Starting at price refers to the base model, optional equipment not included. A more expensive model may be shown. Pricing and offers may change at any time without notification. To get full pricing details, see your dealer.
Image Credit: Dodge
