2022 Dodge Charger

　　

2022 Dodge Charger Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　With news of Toyota discontinuing its Avalon and no real competition on offer from its fellow domestic brands, the Dodge Charger nearly has the whole full-size sedan segment to itself. Despite that, Dodge continues to offer a wide array of engines, performance and personalization options for the Charger and shows no sign of letting up, even though its big sedan is getting a little long in the tooth.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Dodge Charger SXT 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$160/mo  for Charger SXT

　　Charger SXT

　　SXT 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $32,500 MSRPSXT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $36,100 MSRPGT 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $35,275 MSRPGT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $38,275 MSRPR/T 4dr Sedan (5.7L 8cyl 8A) - $41,010 MSRPScat Pack 4dr Sedan (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $47,385 MSRPScat Pack Widebody 4dr Sedan (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $53,380 MSRPSRT Hellcat Widebody 4dr Sedan (6.2L 8cyl S/C 8A) - $75,900 MSRPSRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody 4dr Sedan (6.2L 8cyl S/C 8A) - $84,500 MSRPSRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak 4dr Sedan (6.2L 8cyl S/C 8A) - $85,495 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　Whether you prefer leisurely or lunacy, the Charger's got you covered. And Dodge has also made sure that all buyers, no matter what kind of driving experience they're after, can tailor the Charger to their needs as well as their personality. We're big fans of the Charger and you can read where we think its strengths and weaknesses lie in our Expert Rating below. Other sedans to consider are the punchy and practical Kia Stinger, the sophisticated BMW 5 Series and the ultra-modern Tesla Model 3.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Charger drive? This is a big and heavy car that gets going in a hurry, at least with one of the V8 engines installed. Our Scat Pack test car covered 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. Braking performance is also excellent. In town, the pedal response feels a bit soft at first, but short stopping distances inspire confidence. On our test track, a simulated-panic stop from 60 mph took just 102 feet.

　　Through high-speed corners, the Charger stays surprisingly flat. Unfortunately, it's not a very engaging experience since you don't feel connected to the car. Notably, midcorner bumps can degrade stability and cause a lot of movement at the rear of the car. The overly sensitive gas pedal is also a problem. Flex your big toe and the Charger bolts off the line. The only remedy is to be super gentle.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Charger? The Charger's front seats provide plenty of bolstering and lumbar support. They'll keep you comfortable on a long road trip and keep you in place when the road gets twisty. The rear seats are also well contoured with similarly supportive padding.

　　On the downside, we could feel just about every bump in the city and on the highway from our Scat Pack test car. Base Chargers will ride a little more softly. There's a fair amount of road and tire noise at highway speeds too. Everything is damped down by a lot of sound insulation, but the Charger is no hushed highway cruiser.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below