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Dodge Charger Review: Difference between revisions

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==Performance and Handling==
==Performance and Handling==
[[image:charger_engine.jpg|thumb|300px|'''[[Dodge]]'s engine''']]
[[image:charger_engine.jpg|thumb|300px|'''[[Dodge]]'s 5.7L HEMI [[V8]] engine''']]
The 3.5-liter [[V6]] produces 250 [[horsepower]] and is EPA rated 19/27 mpg City/Highway. When pushed, the V6 breathes a bit harder than the [[V8]] and requires a little more room when passing on crowded two-lanes.  
The 3.5-liter [[V6]] produces 250 [[horsepower]] and is EPA rated 19/27 mpg City/Highway. When pushed, the V6 breathes a bit harder than the [[V8]] and requires a little more room when passing on crowded two-lanes.  


Revision as of 17:38, 10 November 2006

2007 Dodge Charger R/T
2007 Dodge Charger SRT8


See also the main fact sheet for the Dodge Charger.

High Points

Low Points

  • The break pedel is inelegant, imprecise, and vague (USA Today)
  • It is not as inspiring as the Ford Mustang GT or Pontiac GTO (Kelley Blue Book)
  • A-pillar blindspots are large (New Car Test Drive)

Performance and Handling

Dodge's 5.7L HEMI V8 engine

The 3.5-liter V6 produces 250 horsepower and is EPA rated 19/27 mpg City/Highway. When pushed, the V6 breathes a bit harder than the V8 and requires a little more room when passing on crowded two-lanes.

The V8s feature a multi-displacement system that conserves fuel by shutting down four cylinders when they're not needed to maintain the car's momentum, is invisible; we knew it was there and were looking for it, and we never felt the slightest trace. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that comes in the R/T is rated at 340 horsepower.

All of the Chargers are good cruisers, comfortable motoring along at 70-80 mph. The Charger is quiet at that speed, with little wind or road noise. Steering in the SE and SXT models seems a bit over-assisted at times, and could use more on-center feel. The re-geared setup that comes with the Road/Track Performance Group delivers better steering feel across the speed range.

Around town, the SRT8 scrapes like a Corvette in deep gutters and other sharp transitions. Extra care has to be taken when parking not to scrape on those concrete stops they put out to keep people from pulling over the sidewalk; this is exacerbated by the significant length of the Charger because you're trying to get the rear of the car out of the traffic. The front spoiler is high enough that it's usually not a problem but beware high curbs. The Charger handles well along the winding, two-lane back roads even when carrying speeds substantially in excess of the posted limits. The Charger is moderately nose-heavy and will plow, or understeer, momentarily before the electronic stability program steps in; this means the program's threshold is set high enough that better drivers can alter their line through a corner with deft throttle application; drive too hard and you'll become aware you're pushing the envelope.

The Performance Group comes with fatter, stickier tires (P235/55R18 Michelin MXM4s) and suspension tweaks that combine to reduce body lean in corners and quicken turn-in response. A price is paid, however, as the sportier suspension and tire combination resonates more over broken pavement, not harshly, but noticeably. The tires that come standard on the R/T and optional on the SXT are neither as wide nor as grippy, but offer a quieter ride.

The AutoStick transmission works equally well in either Automatic or Manual mode. In Automatic mode, full throttle upshifts wait until redline and downshifts for passing are executed with minimal delay. In Manual mode, the transmission holds a gear to red line before shifting up a gear (unless you shift sooner, of course), which then becomes the selected gear. Only by tromping the gas in manual mode can you force a downshift, and then only for as long as the pedal is held to the floor; ease up ever so slightly, and the higher gear takes back over, and somewhat abruptly.

The Charger's brake hardware is shared with Mercedes-Benz, but the software code for the stability program, brake assist and traction control systems is written by and for Dodge. Mercedes engineers could learn something from Dodge. Pedal feel is firm, braking is reassuringly linear and there's no perceived interference from the electronic watchdogs, yielding smooth, controlled stops.

Gas Mileage

As seen on Autos.com, in the mid-size car MPG rankings, the 2007 Dodge Charger is in 18th place with 21/28 MPG.

Safety

The Dodge Charger comes standard with the following features:

Reliability and Maintenance

Dodge offers a 3 year/36,000 mile limited warranty which includes towing assistance.

Interior and Comforts

Exterior

Styles and Options

The Dodge Charger is available in 4 trims: SE, SXT, R/T, and SRT8.

SE

2007 Dodge Charger R/T
2007 Charger interior
2007 Charger SRT8 interior
2007 Charger interior
  • 250-hp 3.5-liter V6
  • Five-speed AutoStick automatic
  • Cloth upholstery
  • Air conditioning
  • Cruise control
  • Tilt-and-telescope steering wheel
  • Soft-finish urethane-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
  • Floor mats
  • Power door locks, outside mirrors, and windows
  • Remote trunk release
  • Two power points
  • Driver and passenger lumbar adjustment
  • AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input jack
  • Steel wheels with bolt on covers
  • All-season P215/65R17 tires

The Protection Group

  • Front and rear side-curtain airbags
  • Cabin air filtration
  • Self-sealing tires

The Smoker's Group

  • Cigarette lighter
  • Ash tray

The Convenience Group 1

  • Eight-way power driver's seat
  • Adjustable pedals

SXT

  • 250-hp 3.5-liter V6
  • Five-speed AutoStick automatic
  • Eight-way power driver's seat
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
  • 60/40 split folding rear seat with fold-down center armrest
  • Boston Acoustics stereo with six speakers and 276-watt amplifier
  • Fog lamps
  • Trunk cargo net
  • Cast aluminum wheels

The Protection Group

  • Front and rear side-curtain airbags
  • Cabin air filtration
  • Self-sealing tires

The Smoker's Group

  • Cigarette lighter
  • Ash tray

The Comfort Seating Group

  • Heated front seats
  • Leather-trimmed bucket seats
  • Power adjustable pedals
  • 8-way power front passenger seat

The Convenience Group III

  • Automatic headlights
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Auto down/up front windows
  • DVD-based navigation system

R/T

  • 340-hp 5.7-liter V8
  • Five-speed AutoStick automatic
  • Folding and heated mirrors
  • 160-mph speedometer
  • Upgraded brakes
  • Polished aluminum 18-inch wheels
  • Larger fuel tank
  • Dual exhaust
  • Tire-pressure monitoring system.

Convenience Group II

  • Dual-zone, automatic climate control
  • Heated front seats
  • Power adjustable pedals
  • 8-way power front passenger seat
  • One-touch, automatic up and down power windows with anti-pinch auto-reverse

The Electronics Convenience Group

  • Security alarm
  • Programmable universal garage door opener
  • Trip computer
  • Selectable vehicle information display
  • Compass
  • A set of steering wheel-mounted, redundant audio controls

The Road/Track Performance Group

  • Unique aluminum wheels with black accents
  • Sportier steering
  • Self-leveling shocks
  • Sport seats
  • Performance suspension
  • A tweaked V8 making 350 horsepower
  • Front and rear spoilers
  • 20-inch wheels

The Daytona R/T package

  • Mostly the R/T with the Road/Track performance group
  • Tuned exhaust
  • Assorted aero add-ons
  • Flat black graphics front and rear
  • A host of interior upgrades that includes a numbered plate on the instrument panel

SRT8

  • 425-hp 6.1-liter V8
  • Five-speed AutoStick automatic
  • Uniquely tuned suspension
  • Re-programmed ESC system
  • Brembo brakes
  • Goodyear Supercar F1 tires
  • 20-inch forged aluminum wheels
  • 180-mph speedometer

The Super Bee package

  • Detonator Yellow with black graphics on the hood, trunk and flanks
  • V8/bumblebee hybrid logo
  • Dual zone air conditioning
  • Heated seats
  • Automatic headlights and most of the other comfort and convenience items that are optional on the *Rest of the SRT8 models.

Main Competitors

External Links

WikiCars Contributor Favorites

Dodge Manufacturer Sites

Community Sites

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