2006 Dodge Charger

Up front, the cabin has a straightforward look. A cluster of four, white-faced gauges peers back at the driver through a four-spoke wheel. Some interior plastics look a little, uh, plastic, but satin finished metal trims spiff up the console and ring the gauges. Rheostat controls adjust HVAC and lights. Things get a little busier, button-wise, if you pick the navigation system (optional on R/T models), but it's a workable array, with a 5.8-inch screen, an MP3 player and 6-disc CD player.


Back seat passengers don't have to take a back seat to anyone when it comes to entertainment—provided that the owner springs for the optional video system. The unit integrates nicely with the center console and boasts a 7-inch LCD screen, battery powered remote control and two wireless multi-channel headsets.


Of course, many Charger buyers will prefer the sound of the engine to the radio—at least those who buy Hemi-powered models. The 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is rated at 340 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. The exhaust note is notable: a civilized, 'round town rumble, not loud enough to be tiring or intrusive. Added to that is a throaty Hemi howl when you crack the throttle wide open. The Hemi posts performance numbers that would do its ancestors proud. It's capable of running from 0-60 in six seconds flat. And, Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System shuts down four cylinders when not needed, saving as much as 20 percent on fuel economy. At 55 mph, the V-8 lopes along at 1,750 rpm. EPA estimates rate the Hemi at 17 mpg's city and 25 on the open highway—pretty fair, for a 4,100-lb. sedan with real firepower.

The 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is rated at 340 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Hemi is standard on R/T models, while base, SE and mid-level, SXT models get a 250 hp, 250 lb. ft. of torque, 3.5 liter V-6. Dodge expects that as much as 70 percent of Charger's initial buyers will opt for the Hemi, but value shoppers will like the six. Many shekels cheaper than the Hemi, it offers good power and a skosh better economy (19/27). Both motors are connected to five speed automatic transmissions with AutoStick. They are smooth and quick from cog to cog and the ratios line up well with the engine's power bands.


Charger's chassis is closely related to Magnum and the Chrysler 300, with independent front (short- and long-arm) and rear (multi-link) suspension. It's a rear-wheel-drive platform, with a host of standard electronic ride and handling aids, such as Electronic Stability Program with brake assist, ABS and All-Speed Traction Control. Lack of an all wheel drive option is a surprise. It is available on both of Charger's closest siblings (300 and Magnum) and increasingly offered on sedans that the Dodge will be competing with in the marketplace. True, AWD interest tends to be specific to snow-belt states. And, the combination of snow tires, weight balance (Charger is 53f/47r) and electronic traction aids go along way towards making winter travel uneventful in rear wheel drive cars. But the bottom line is nothing beats all wheel drive for traversing wintry slop. And since the hardware could be easily added, we would expect Dodge to reconsider their position in future model years. The SE and STX models come with standard 17-inch wheels, with 18s on R/T cars. Optional on R/T models is a Road/Track Performance Group that adds stiffer suspension components and beefier (235/55 R18) tread. Fine-tuning the exhaust and induction system finds another 10 ponies for the Hemi and adds a little more throat to the engine note.