This is a big year for Dodge passenger cars. New sheet metal, new engines, new excitement. As we build up to the arrival of the baddest of the bad, we spend time behind the wheel of the totally redesigned 2015 Dodge Charger sedan. Redesigned from nose to tail, the big car still carries the vision of the Dodge brothers.
The Dodge Charger is one of the last rear-wheel drive sedans in America and it is offered with a host of powertrains, all offered with the new eight-speed automatic transmission. Trim levels begin at SE and go all the way up to SRT Hellcat. This time around we take delivery of the SXT powered by one of the best new six-cylinder engines on the market, the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 that generates 292hp and 260 lb. ft. of torque sent to the rear wheels via that new TorqueFlite eight-speed gearbox.
Thankfully this new Charger features a non-electronic t-shifter that allows for smooth and accurate shifting (we’ve always struggled with the electronic t-shifter that has come on recent Fiat Chrysler models). For such a big car the new Charger delivers big numbers in the fuel economy segment with 19 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
The new styling is said to have taken design cues from the iconic 1969 Charger including the Coke-bottle styling and scalloped body sides. For 2015 there is also a totally new front and rear fascia that quickly sets it apart from past models.
The interior has been restyled as well for a more driver-focused environment and features new soft-touch materials and new touchscreen display monitor and customizable gauge cluster, along with the latest Uconnect infotainment and driver assistance technology.
Let’s face it, not everyone is going to be able to purchase or afford a Hellcat. The 2015 Charger, even in SXT trim with the V-6, does quite well at making up for that fact and is a very good consolation prize. I found the powertrain to be very responsive and even surprising for a chassis of this size. It rides very quiet, very stable, and offers an outstanding amount of interior space.
Pricing for the 2015 Dodge Charger SXT begins at $29,995 with our tester arriving with a final sticker of $33,975.
The 2015 Dodge Charger is offered in rear and all-wheel drive and comes with the latest safety technologies including rain brake support, ready alert braking, electronic stability control, all-speed traction control, and hill start assist. This tester arrived with the addition of the driver confidence group that includes ParkSense rear park assist and blind spot and cross path detection, amongst other things.
A stylish sport appearance group added 20-inch satin carbon aluminum wheels with all season performance tires, performance suspension, and rear body-color spoiler.
I really like what Dodge designers are doing with the big cars like Charger and Challenger and I love that the brand is dedicated to keep some of that musclecar spirit alive and kicking, especially with the likes of what is coming to us next. Finally we will take delivery of hell on wheels, all 707 supercharged ponies of the Challenger SRT Hellcat.