2020 Dodge Charger

Pros: Brash muscle-car styling and attitude; lots of unique trim options; value for the dollar; sporty handling for the class; ludicrous performance of SRT Hellcat model

Cons: V8 fuel economy; acceleration with V6 might not satisfy some buyers attracted by Charger’s muscular looks

CG Says: The 2020 Dodge Charger adds Widebody versions of the Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat models. Widebody includes Bilstein 3-mode electronically damped suspension and fender flares to accommodate wider tires. Dodge claims the SRT Hellcat Widebody can accelerate 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, cover the quarter mile in 10.96 seconds, and has a top speed of 196. Plus, there is a limited-production Daytona Fiftieth Anniversary Edition based on SRT Hellcat Widebody that adds 10 horsepower to the supercharged V8 for a total of 717. The “non-Widebody” SRT Hellcat has been dropped. Charger is a large, rear-wheel drive sedan with seating for five. The standard engine is a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 292 or 300 horsepower. Three V8s are available: a 370-hp 5.7-liter, a 485-hp 6.4liter, and supercharged 6.2-liter in the SRT Hellcat. All engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic. All-wheel is only available with the V6. Vast passenger room, available all-wheel drive, and solid construction make the Dodge Charger a reasonable choice for buyers who need the room of a large car but don’t want to give up power or performance in the process. Safety features include blind-spot alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Standard performance items for the Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat models include Launch Assist and Line Lock. Launch Assist uses wheel-speed sensors and modulates engine torque for optimal traction in high-speed launches, and Line Lock engages the front brakes but keeps the rear wheels free for “burnouts” at a drag strip. The standard V6 engine and smooth 8-speed automatic transmission are a fine team that we think will satisfy the majority of buyers both in terms of acceleration and, surprisingly, fuel economy. Those with the need for speed will find the R/T and Scat Pack models with 5.7-liter or 6.4-liter V8s quite invigorating, though they have a copious thirst for fuel. For high-performance fanatics, Dodge also offers the outrageous SRT Hellcat Widebody, a supercar version of the Charger boasting 707 hp (717 in Daytona Fiftieth Anniversary Edition) from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Hellcats have an even greater thirst.