2010 Dodge Charger Review

The 2010 Dodge Charger delivers pony car excitement and style and recalls a bygone era, all while providing the roomy accommodations of a full-size car. The availability of all-wheel drive is a bonus for customers facing slippery roads, and the range of engines and suspension setups allows buyers to choose between fast and comfortable models. Popularized by NASCAR dominance the Dodge Charger is one of America's most revered performance nameplates. Originally an icon of the muscle car era, the Charger has recently been reborn as an affordable performance sedan -- and it's one of the better ones available in this market niche. The Dodge Charger first debuted in the mid 1960s as a response to America's growing interest in average cars with above-average performance. It came back as an all new 2006 modern version of the Charger of the past. The current Dodge Charger may not be the two-door muscle car you remember from the '60s, but it does a fine job of being a modern interpretation. As a bonus, the latest Charger has a usable interior and plenty of standard equipment. For 2010, the Charger carries over with minimal changes. It has an MSRP of $24,390 - $38,180 and an estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg highway and 18 mpg city.

2010 Charger Design

The 2010 Dodge Charger is based on the same Mercedes-derived platform used for the Chrysler 300 and the now-defunct Dodge Magnum. The Charger has four doors and is a bit larger than the average midsize sedan. Its front-end styling is much more aggressive than the 300C's, and the rear roof line slopes downward in a coupelike fashion. Dominating the front of the car are the trademark Dodge crosshairs, chromed on the SXT and R/T, body-color in the SE and SRT8, and flat black on the Daytona. Compound halogen headlights peer out under hooded, almost scowling brows. A thin, trifurcated air intake slices across the lower portion of the front bumper. The Daytona and SRT8 get a flat-black chin spoiler. Fog lamps on the SXT and higher models fill small, sculpted insets at the lower corners. The front end tilts forward as if it's leaning into the wind, specifically to recall the brutish, pre-aero-age styling of its muscle car era namesake.

Powering the Charger

In terms of power the base SE gets a standard 178-horsepower 2.7-liter V6, which may be to some uninspiring. Optional on the SE and standard on the SXT is a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6, which is more than enough to motivate this big sedan. For those expecting muscle car powers, the Charger R/T comes with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 good for 368 hp, and there's an available Daytona R/T package that adds additional performance hardware and a few cosmetic extras. A five-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels is standard on all Chargers.

Inside the Charger

 The cabin of the Charger has plenty of room for five, making it sufficient for a small family. Rear-seat room is plentiful, thanks to the long wheelbase, even with the front seats at their rearmost positions. The interior is very useable but is largely plastic and the sightlines are partially obstructed in several directions. Buyers can opt for several entertainment features that will make passengers happy. For cargo space, the Charger has a large trunk with a handy split-folding rear seat.

Charger SRT8

The Charger SRT8 is a product of Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology performance division. It's the fastest of the Charger models and comes with a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 capable of 425 hp. Backing up the powerful V8 are other SRT exclusives like a stiffer suspension, bigger brakes and a modified front fascia. This model comes with a specially calibrated five-speed automatic transmission. The SRT8 ($38,670) adds dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlights, remote engine starting, interior air filter, heated front seats, a Reconfigurable Display with performance pages, performance-tuned suspension, sport bucket seats, functional hood scoop, rear spoiler, a reprogrammed ESC system, Brembo brakes, Goodyear Supercar F1 tires on 20-inch forged aluminum wheels and a 180-mph speedometer. The Super Bee buzz model package ($1900) comes with Hemi Orange paint, a serialized dash plaque, a special wheel design, silver Brembo brake calipers, UConnect Tunes hard-drive radio, orange seat accents, and hood and rear quarter panel decals.

2010 Charger Lineup

 The base Dodge Charger SE ($23,895) comes standard with cloth upholstery; air conditioning; interior air filter; cruise control; tilt/telescoping steering wheel; driver and passenger lumbar adjustment; AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input jack; power windows, locks and mirrors; remote keyless entry; and P215/65R17 tires on aluminum wheels.

The SXT ($25,510) adds an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, a 60/40 split folding rear seat with fold-down center armrest, a 276-watt Boston Acoustics stereo, power-adjustable pedals, heated mirrors and fog lamps. The AWD SXT ($28,850) also adds performance disc brakes and P225/60R18 tires.

The R/T ($31,860) upgrades to leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, heated front seats, eight-way power front passenger seat, folding heated mirrors, automatic headlights and 18-inch tires. The R/T AWD ($33,960) adds all-wheel drive. The R/T Road/Track Performance package ($3940) has sportier steering, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, sport seats with suede inserts, performance suspension, front and rear spoilers and P245/45R20 tires on aluminum wheels with black accents. The Daytona package ($4475) has the same equipment, plus remote engine starting, a black grille, body color engine cover, special paint, a performance exhaust system and a special axle ratio.

Conclusions

Safety features that come standard on all Charger models include two-stage front airbags, tire-pressure monitor, and rear-seat LATCH child safety seat anchors. Antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control and electronic stability control, are standard on all but SE. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags for both seating rows are optional for all models. All-wheel drive is available for SXT and R/T models. Because of its bulk, the Charger isn't as nimble as some similarly priced performance coupes and sport sedans. However, it offers secure if unremarkable handling, powerful V8 engines, and roomy and comfortable interior. For consumers interested in a reborn muscle car, the Dodge Charger is an excellent choice. The Charger used to be the only V8-powered large American car on the market, but it now faces competition from the Pontiac G8 and an improved Ford Taurus. The Charger offers a lot of room and great straight line power. Visit Dodge's official 2010 Dodge Charger page for more details, pictures, and pricing information.