The Dodge Charger began its fame back in the late 1960s and while that old-generation Charger still holds some design influence over the current rendition, the new, modern 2015 Dodge Charger is much more refined and family-friendly. It’s a big, stylish sports sedan in every way.
Quick Specs & Info |
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| 2015 Dodge Charger | Class: Full-size sedan | ||
| Base Model | As Tested: SXT AWD | ||
| Powertrain | 3.5L V6, 8spd auto | Powertrain | 3.5L V6, 8spd auto |
| Base MSRP | $27,995 | MSRP as tested | $35,485 |
Overview
For the 2015 model year, a few things have changed about the Charger. The over-muscular haunches are gone, replaced with a more contemporary bulge line that keeps the old school nostalgia without getting cartoonish. Under the hood, a few things change with the powertrain options, but all the goodness we love about the Charger is still there, plus some new badassery in the form of a Hellcat model. The Charger covers a wide gamut, in fact, with no fewer than seven trim levels ranging from the base level SE to the fun R/T options and into the screaming Hellcat offering.
Inside, the 2015 Charger is brought up to date with the latest Uconnect interface, better materials throughout the cabin, and a more comfortable appeal. While not upscale when compared to, say, the big Chrysler 300, the Charger’s interior is definitely on par or better than others in this segment.
In all, the big 2015 Charger is a bold statement of where the Dodge brand is going and is a much more likable, daily driver than it has been. Especially in the more efficiency-minded six-cylinder version with all-wheel drive, as we drove it.
New Exterior for the 2015 Dodge Charger
On the whole, the 2015 Charger looks very much like it did in 2014, but a closer look reveals some key design elements have changed, giving a very different impression to the onlooker. The haunches, as mentioned, are less chiseled and more refined. The rear end, while still bulky to denote power, is a little less in your face about that fact. Up front, the hood, fenders, and grille are less accentuated and more sinuous, keeping the powerful stance without flaunting it.
Simple lines and careful flaring mark the exterior of the Charger overall. It’s still low, wide, and strong, but is less Muscle Beach and more t-shirt and jeans than it was before.
Updated Interior for the 2015 Charger
Roominess is the order of the day in the modern, but retro-inspired Charger. There is enough room in this sedan to seat five adults with few arguments over who has to lean where. Head, leg, and shoulder room are all excellent thanks to the big Charger’s expanse.
Seating is comfortable as well, even in the lower end models like the SXT we drove. The cloth is excellent and the ergonomics of the layout for everything is very well done. This video review of the Charger’s interior explains it.
Under the 2015 Charger’s Hood
The 2015 Charger has four engine choices, all running through an eight-speed automatic transmission in rear-wheel drive as standard. The V6 models offer all-wheel drive as an option, but that option has been dropped for V8-equipped models. We drove the Charger V6 SXT AWD model. This utilizes the well-balanced 3.6-liter V6, producing 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This can be updated to 300 and 264, respectively, with the optional Rallye Appearance Group and its tuning package. Fuel economy in the V6 is rated at 23 mpg combined in rear-wheel drive and 21 mpg combined for the AWD model. We averaged 24 mpg in our highway-heavy driving over the week.
Other engine options include the 5.7-liter V8, the same powertrain we had in the beautiful 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T a couple of months ago. The big 6.4-liter V8 is back as well, powering the Charger R/T Scat Pack and SRT 392 trim levels. Finally, the Hellcat has its monstrous 6.2-liter supercharged growler outputting 707 horses of tire-burning.
Riding the 2015 Dodge Charger
Out on the road, be it open highway or in slow commuter traffic, the 2015 Charger is a well-mannered beast. It loves getting up and going after it when you press down, but will otherwise idle around contentedly as you maneuver through traffic or set a cruising speed on a beautiful country highway. We drove through city traffic, in sluggish commuter traffic, and through town (including urban environs) and loved the confidence the Charger exudes.
Acceleration with the V6 feels good, but won’t break any records. For that, you’ll have to move up into the bigger engine options. For daily driving and respectable economy, though, the V6 can’t be beat. If you live where the weather is not always Southern Cal, the AWD option is also smart. Especially with its magnetic coupling (see above video).
Competition
The full-sized sports sedan market is slim, with most entering into the premium and luxury segments with only a few holdouts in a more affordable segment. Chevrolet has the SS and the Impala, which together mark both ends of the market that the Charger covers on its own with its myriad of model options. The Kia Cadenza might be considered competition as well, though only in size and price. For the most part, the Charger is its own thing.
Strong Points
- Big, comfortable sedan.
- Well-tuned suspension and chassis.
Weaknesses
- Some rivals have better fuel economy.
Conclusions
The 2015 Dodge Charger is a great offering in the full-sized sedan segment. It hits most of the needs of people buying in this segment ranging from the highway cruising, lower-priced V6 models up to the pavement-burning top-end muscle models. And all the points between. A very well done car, it’s big, comfortable, nimble, and well-tuned.
Test Period Length and Limitations
The 2015 Charger was a manufacturer’s press loan for about a week during which time 410 miles were put on the car. These were in mixed highway, freeway, urban, and commuter traffic in varying conditions and with varying passenger loads.
