Pros
- Ride/handling
- Passenger and cargo room
- Acceleration (SRT8)
Cons
- Fuel economy (SRT8)
- Rear visibility
Acceleration
6/10
The 3.5 V6 is fine in town and has good passing punch. Dodge says it does 0-60 mph in 9.3 seconds with rear-drive. R/T has ready power from any speed. SRT8 models are bona fide muscle cars, reaching 60 mph from a stop in just 5.0 seconds. No SE or AWD Chargers have been made available for Consumer Guide evaluation.
Fuel Economy
5/10
In Consumer Guide testing, rear-drive 3.5 V6 models averaged 17.9-21.6 mpg. Our extended-use-test Charger SXT averaged 19.4 mpg over 6,147 miles.No opportunity to measure an R/T. SRT8 averaged 14.3 mpg in mostly city driving, 16.9 in mostly highway driving. The 2.7-liter V6 engine uses regular-grade. Dodge recommends mid-grade 89-octane for the 3.5 V6 and 5.7 V8. Premium-grade gas is required for the SRT8.
Ride Quality
7/10
Generally smooth and composed, but rippled pavement can trigger annoying jiggling, especially in V8 models with their firmer suspensions. Surprisingly, R/T versions display some float and wallow over uneven surfaces. SRT8s are even stiffer but never punishing.
Steering/Handling/Braking
6/10
These large cars are stable at highway speeds, with linear, solid-feeling steering. They're not nimble in quick direction changes, but they have fine balance and grip in turns, SRT8s in particular. R/T models feel firm and planted. All have confident stopping control, but some testers complain of long pedal travel. Test rear-drive V8 models negotiated rainy roads without undue slip. All-wheel drive is the recommended solution for all-weather traction.
Quietness
6/10
The V6 roars noticeably under hard acceleration. V8s make a throaty full-throttle growl--SRT8s sound like race cars--but are quiet enough in gentle cruising. R/Ts and SRT8s have more tire roar than other Chargers. Wind rush is evident at highway speeds on all models.
Controls
7/10
Instruments are large and easy to read, but the steering-wheel rim cuts into the view of the turn-signal arrows and gauges for fuel and temperature. Most controls are within easy reach, though some are too low to easily adjust while driving. The navigation system is fairly easy to operate, though some functions could require fewer button presses.
Details
6/10
Interior materials are just a slight grade below those of Chrysler 300, but are appropriate for these prices, with solid feel and a nice array of padded surfaces.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (Front)
7/10
Spacious, with ample headroom and legroom. The seats are generously sized, but flat cushions allow occupants to slide during aggressive cornering. SRT8 and Charger R/T with the Road/Track Performance Group address this problem with sport buckets. SRT8 seats have good lateral support and outstanding comfort. Thick front roof pillars obscure the view to the front corners.
Room/Comfort (Rear)
6/10
Easy entry and exit with great room for two. Legroom and foot space are plentiful, even with front seats lowered and pushed well back. Head clearance is tight for six-footers. The rear bench is long-haul comfortable, but a middle rider must straddle the bulky driveline hump.
Cargo Room
4/10
Charger's trunk is usefully sized and shaped, but a relatively small opening complicates loading bulky objects. Split-folding 60/40 rear seat backs on all but the SE enhance versatility, though they don't lay completely flat.
Value Within Class
8/10
Vast passenger room, available all-wheel drive, and solid construction make Charger a reasonable choice among large sedans. The 3.5-liter V6 provides more-than-adequate power, as does the R/T versions' V8. SRT8 models are true modern muscle cars.
Highlights
The 2010 Dodge Charger sees no major changes. This large car shares its basic design with Chrysler's 300 sedan. Charger comes in four trim levels: base SE, mid-level SXT, sporty R/T, and high-performance SRT8. All are rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive is available on the SXT and R/T. SE has a 178-horsepower 2.7-liter V6 engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. SXT has a 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. A 4-speed automatic transmission is standard with rear-wheel drive, while AWD versions have a 5-speed automatic. R/T models have a 368-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, a 5-speed automatic, and Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System cylinder deactivation. The SRT8 has a 425-horsepower 6.1-liter V8 and a 5-speed automatic without cylinder deactivation. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain-side airbags. Optional on the R/T is the Road/Track Performance Package, which includes 20-inch wheels, performance suspension and brakes, specific exhaust tuning, and a different engine program that increases horsepower to 372. The SRT8 has unique suspension tuning, as well as specific interior and exterior trim. Available is Chrysler's Uconnect multimedia suite, which can include a wireless cell-phone link, 30-gigabyte hard drive for storing digital music and picture files, and a navigation system with real-time traffic information.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Cars comprise the biggest passenger sedans. Large inside and out, they offer lots of metal for the money and are dominated by domestic brands.
Our Best Buys include the Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, and Toyota Avalon. New or significantly redesigned models in the class include the Buick LaCrosse and Ford Taurus.