2023 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak

　　

2023 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 When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Dodge's Charger is the last of the iconic muscle cars, and the current version has been with us for more than 10 years now. A number of major refreshes and the addition of Hellcats, Redeyes, Scat Packs and Widebodies have managed to keep the big sedan relevant and engaging, but flared fenders and superchargers can only sustain the aging Charger for so long.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak 4dr Sedan (6.2L 8cyl S/C 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 $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$294/mo  for Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak

　　Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak

　　SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak 4dr Sedan (6.2L 8cyl S/C 8A) (Most Popular) - $78,895 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　We're fans of the Charger's old-school driving experience and find the character of the big Dodge, especially when equipped with one of the V8 engines, to be its biggest selling point. But buyers today can choose from a variety of sedans with far more advanced technology, handling and fuel efficiency. Should you be in the market for a performance-oriented sedan, the Acura TLX, Kia Stinger and Tesla Model 3 are all worth a look. The Charger is still a hoot, but as the only full-size V8-powered American sedan on the market, it's also the last of a dying breed.

　　2023 will be the final model year of the Charger in its current form. To celebrate its retirement, Dodge is giving its iconic muscle cars a big send-off by way of some special editions that call back to its muscle cars of the '60s and '70s. Every 2023 Charger will also have an underhood plaque that reads "Last Call," a way to commemorate the end of an era. Dodge is also expanding its Jailbreak customization program to the regular Hellcat models, not just the Redeye models.

　　All of this commemorative action sounds like a pretty big party, and while we're sad to see the Charger go, we know it's time to move on. Check out the Expert Rating below for our test team's full evaluation of the 2023 Charger's attributes as it heads out to pasture.

　　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