Introduction

It would be an understatement to say the Dodge Charger is a throwback, as a full-size sedan muscle car. It's the last of its breed, and popular for that reason. It's powerful, but today's Charger also has a refined ride and good handling, and its styling has aged well. For 2022 it's unchanged, except for the availability of a theft alarm. 

The Charger comes with a V-6 engine for those who just want to look the part, and a choice of V-8s. A 5.7-liter V-8 is most popular, while 6.4-liter and 6.2-liter V-8s in SRT models get to outer limits of the essence of the Charger. 

The Charger gets decent gas mileage with a V-6, helped by its sweet-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission; it's EPA rated at 19 mpg city, 30 highway, 23 combined with standard rear-wheel drive, and 18/27/21 mpg with AWD. The 5.7-liter V-8 R/T model, on 89 octane, gets 16/25/19 mpg, while the 6.2-liter Scat Pack gets 15/24/18 mpg on premium fuel. The big Hellcat gets 16 mpg combined. 

The NHTSA gives the Charger five stars overall, with four stars in frontal impact. The IIHS gives it a 'Marginal'? score for crash protection of the driver side. Automatic emergency braking is an option SXT, GT, R/T, and Scat Pack models, in a package that includes adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. And on the SRT Hellcat it's completely unavailable. 

Lineup

Made in Canada, the base Charger SXT is $32,945 for an SXT, and $34,945 for the GT, both with V-6 engines and available all-wheel drive for $3,000. The SXT comes with cloth upholstery, 17-inch wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The R/T with a V-8 is just under $40,000, while the Scat Pack is about $44,000. Options include nappa leather, a Technology Package with the advanced safety equipment, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, and adaptive dampers, for a total of about $6,000. 

The SRT Hellcat is about $75,000, or another $8,000 for more power in the Redeye version. Fully loaded it can cost nearly $100,000. 

Walkaround

The Chargers lines are muscular. The V-6 models have an old-school look that says they're different from other sedans on the road, but the car doesn't take on its drag-racing identity until it gets the widebody kit that's available on Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat, with bulging fat tires under blistered fender flares. 

Interior

The cabin is comfortable for four adults, and the Charger has a big trunk. Overall, the materials are good and on top versions the nappa leather is plush. 

The front seats are fine and the rear leg and knee room is good, but the rear bench is flat. 

Driving Impression

All Chargers deliver strong acceleration and good grip. Even the V-6 makes 300 hp, and they're available with all-wheel drive for winter and snow, while the V-8s are not. The 8-speed automatic transmission has well-coordinated shifts. 

The middle of the road is the 5.7-liter V-8 in the R/Ts (370 hp) or the 6.4-liter V-8 in 392 Scat Packs (485 hp). One great thing about these engines is a wide power band, with torque at any speed. 

The 6.2-liter V-8 in the SRT Hellcat is supercharged, to deliver 717 hp. 

The SRT Hellcat Redeye makes 797 horsepower, which is more than a NASCAR racer. That translates to 3.4 seconds from 0-60 mph, even with the big sedan's weight. 

The Charger handles well in base trim, with a cushy ride and good steering feel. It gets progressively stiffer in the SRT editions: the wide wheels and tires on the high-horsepower versions come with a much firmer suspension, which takes a commitment to endure in daily driving. 

Summary

The 2022 Dodge Charger has an appealing shape and swift acceleration as a V-6-powered sedan. With a V-8 it's a superhero, with dazzling acceleration and a guttural growl that can be heard down the street. There's almost no in-between; choose your fighter well. 

 

-By Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection.