The so-so sedan is transformed
THE DODGE CHARGER is a massive improvement on its predecessor, and a contender for best in the segment
Chrysler has been on death’s doorstep more than just about any other automotive company. Every time, however, it has found a way of digging out of the mess and moving on to better days. The latest Houdini-esque escape can be attributed to more than just a single car. The Dodge Caravan single-handedly rescued the company in the 1980s. This time around, the corners that were being cut have been rectified — from the materials to the powertrains, the new Dodge is a very different company to the one it was just a couple of years ago.
The latest Dodge Charger is a prime example of how the so-so sedan has been transformed into a contender for the best in the segment. Regardless of what you want, there is a Charger to suit just about any taste. The mid-level SXT with all-wheel-drive tested here proved to have more than a few pleasant surprises.
I liked the original Charger, despite a few of its obvious warts. The latest edition manages to take the basics and build on them to the point where there is very little connection between past and present.
Consider the interior: Some of the materials used in the previous car looked as though they were pop bottles before being recycled into cabin material. Today, the blend of softtouch materials, attractive accents and dynamite instrumentation delivers a cabin that is, at last, equal to the rest of the car. Materials and comfortable front sport bucket seats aside, it proved to be the UConnect system that caught my eye — it is the easiest system to master. Accessing everything from the phone and media functions to a setup menu is the model of simplicity, thanks to the 8.4-inch touch screen and voice command.
Moving rearward, there is decent head- and legroom; however, the large central tunnel means the centre seat is an only-when-absolutely-necessary proposition. It is also wise to duck on the way in through the rear door — the arching roofline will take a chunk out of a careless head.
The Charger SXT tested was powered by Chrysler’s Pentastar engine. This 3.6-litre V6 spins out an effortless 292 horsepower and 260 poundfeet of torque thanks to its variable valve timing. The beauty is that even when forced to run at the top end of the rev range, it does not get thrashy or noisy. It also brings the mustard necessary to get the Charger SXT AWD from rest to 100 kilometres an hour in seven seconds.
For those who want more mustard, there’s the 370-hp R/T and the awe-inspiring SRT8, which puts 47 0stallions under its hood. The R/T cuts about a second off the acceleration time; the SRT8 chops a further second.
If you are considering a Charger, the only way to go is all-wheel-drive. The system functions flawlessly and makes the Charger far less tail-happy than its rear-drive siblings.To increase fuel economy, the system automatically disconnects the drive to the front wheels when appropriate. However, it is smart enough to re-engage the front wheels if the wipers are turned on and/or the temperature drops below 3C, which ensures maximum traction in slippery conditions. It is one of the best systems in the segment.
The Charger’s handling was surprising. Something this large should not dance like it is wearing ballet slippers. The double wish- bone front and multi-link rear suspensions dial out all unwanted body roll, the electro-hydraulic power steering delivers the right feel and feedback and the oversized P235/55R19 tires deliver the right sort of grip. In the end, it means the Charger is fast and poised when it’s pointed into a corner.
There was not a lot wrong with the previous Charger, cheesy plastics aside. The latest version improves things in every area. It has far more refinement, a classy interior style that features class-leading materials and a powertrain that’s as sweet as a nut. For my money, the Charger remains the best choice in its segment.