Dodge Charger Reviews

"The new Charger is straight-ahead, old-school interior design: big white gauges, rotary-knob climate controls and a straightforward audio stack - no theatrical pin spots of accent lighting, no controls on the steering wheel. It's a little spare for me, but I appreciate the restraint."

"The V-6's agreeable performance means that you can buy an inexpensive Charger and get the cool looks and full-size accommodations without feeling as if the car won't get out of its own way."

"The Charger seems just the right size for a big car - the 200.1-inch length and 74.5-inch width makes for a roomy interior, a usable back seat and a big trunk, but it still feels maneuverable in the city."

"Smooth and supple, with a vacuum-packed solidity that forbids rattles and squeaks, the car has a light, predictable feel with great grip for a 2-ton car and surprisingly civil cornering behavior."

"The Hemi's response to vigorous throttle application is sudden, sensual and satisfying. The car leaps forward, even if you're already at highway speed. The exhaust growl becomes a scary howl. The Charger shoots into clean air and clear road in little more than a blink."

"The chassis is well balanced, and the power available allows you to hang the rear end out when the stability control is switched off, stepping out in a predictable and linear fashion. Simply lift the throttle and the back end tucks in neatly."

"From the side, the semi-fastback roofline and glasshouse look more grafted onto the somewhat fulsome body than a natural extension of the overall styling theme, very much as if the designer were trying to make a sedan look like a coupe. Oh, well."

"[Regarding the brakes] it's hard to judge how firmly to push to get the desired result. Result: inelegant, imprecise stopping."

"A-pillars [the posts between the windshield and front side windows] designed to meet roll-over standards are thick, which makes checking for pedestrians and crossing traffic ... more difficult."

"Generally, the steering is competent with good on-center feel. It's only when moving the wheel off center at speed that there comes a hint of vagueness, as if the system is a bit overboosted. "

"It's not really in the same league as smaller sport sedans, but the Charger is a cut above traditional family sedans in terms of performance capabilities."

"It responds almost crisply to driver commands for a car its size, can be a pleasant back-road mount but is no threat to BMW."

"Where the outside only suggests other Chrysler and Dodge cars, the inside looks as if it's been lifted, locks, steering column and bucket seats from the Magnum, with a fixture and feature here and there brought over from a Dakota or a Durango."

"The taller greenhouse of the Charger also makes the cabin feel a bit less claustrophobic than in either the 300C or the Magnum."

"Anyone suggesting the car has a retro theme has succumbed to Dodge's powerful psy-ops hallucinogens."