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2023 Dodge Charger Review: End Of A Legacy
by Michael Butler
Say 'Dodge Charger', and most will conjure up images of an all-black, old-school muscle car that can do wheel stands, but the Charger is more than that. The seventh-generation Dodge Charger is a family car, a rep mobile, and a modern muscle machine all wrapped up into one retro package, and despite having a career that spans over a decade, it's still a huge favorite in the USA. The Charger comes in a wide variety of flavors, with the SRT Hellcat (reviewed separately) sitting at the top. The non-Hellcat family is topped by a bang-for-buck hero: the Scat Pack, which features a 485-horsepower Hemi V8 engine. The Charger can be a comfortable daily cruiser or a hotrod, and despite its aging looks and interior, it still puts up a good fight against far more boring Japanese sedans such as the Nissan Maxima. It shares its old-school approach with another car that's been on sale in the US since forever, the Chrysler 300, now also on its last legs.
Read in this review:
- Exterior Design 9 /10
- Performance 8 /10
- Fuel Economy 6 /10
- Interior & Cargo 8 /10
- Infotainment & Features 9 /10
- Reliability 9 /10
- Safety 7 /10
- Value For Money 9 /10
8.1
What is BuzzScore?
2023 Dodge Charger Changes: What’s The Difference vs The 2022 Charger?
It's no secret that the Charger as we know it is coming to an end, and as a send-off, every new 2023 Dodge Charger sedan wears a "Last Call" plaque under the hood. Dodge also introduces old-school Heritage colors such as Sublime Green, B5 Blue, Destroyer Grey, and Plum Crazy. R/T models now feature a "345" fender badge to pay tribute to the Hemi V8 engine that lives under its hood. Several limited-edition heritage-inspired buzz models will be made available throughout the 2023 model year.
Pros and Cons
- Glory to the V8
- A true family car with a big cabin and trunk
- Good value
- Infotainment easy to use
- Lots of trims and options allow extensive personalization
- Dull interior with average build quality
- High fuel consumption
- Poor safety kit and scores
- Outdated and old-fashioned
What's the Price of the 2023 Dodge Charger?
The latest model year's pricing hasn't yet been revealed, but we can assume that 2023 pricing will be a little higher than before. The entry-level SXT RWD had an MSRP of $31,350 for 2022, with $3,600 added on if you want the SXT with AWD. The RWD GT started at $33,625, with only $3,000 needed to add AWD from this trim upwards. Then, it's a hefty price jump to the R/T V8, which retailed for $39,350. The Scat Pack started at $43,675, with another big leap to get to the Scat Pack Widebody at $49,670. These prices exclude Dodge's destination charge of $1,595, and other licensing and registration fees.
Best Deals on 2023 Dodge Charger
2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack
$59,214
16 miles
2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack
$61,204
16 miles
2023 Dodge Charger R/T
$42,199
16 miles
2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack
$61,204
13 miles
See All Charger For Sale
2023 Dodge Charger Trims
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SXT | 3.6L V6 Gas | 8-Speed Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive All-Wheel Drive | $34,730 |
| GT | 3.6L V6 Gas | 8-Speed Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive All-Wheel Drive | $37,430 |
| Pursuit Police Car | 3.6L V6 Gas 5.7L V8 Gas | 8-Speed Automatic | All-Wheel Drive Rear-Wheel Drive | $42,635 |
| R/T | 5.7L V8 Gas | 8-Speed Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | $44,470 |
| Scat Pack | 6.4L V8 Gas | 8-Speed Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | $51,330 |
See All 2023 Dodge Charger Trims and Specs
2023 Dodge Charger Handling And Driving Impressions
Simply put, V6 models feel uninspiring to drive. They make for comfortable daily drivers and are confident on the highway, but they're slower than the fleet-footed front-wheel-drive competitors from Japan, sprinting to 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds. Still, that's fast enough for most people and it's the only engine available with AWD. You'll need to get a V8 model if you want any real driving pleasure. Every review of the Dodge Charger in V8 guise that you'll come across remarks how it is a pleasure to drive slow or fast, and we especially like it as a city cruiser; there's always torque on tap, and the noise adds to the overall driving experience. The ride quality is also pleasingly pliant most of the time, even in the fast V8s. In terms of handling ability, the Charger is eager but not the most capable thing on four wheels. Grip is good until it isn't, and V8 models love a bit of oversteer if one gets too happy with the throttle. The R/T is fun to throw around, but one is constantly reminded that this is a hefty four-door sedan and it never feels genuinely agile. The steering is also rather slow and quite heavily weighted, so it detracts somewhat from the pleasure of piloting the car.
Verdict: Is The 2023 Dodge Charger A Good Car?
It has been around in its current form for over a decade, and while the Dodge Charger's competitors have rolled out newer and sharper models, the Charger has stubbornly carried on. This is both a blessing and a curse. The Dodge Charger is undeniably characterful and brings some much-needed spice to a class where crossovers have slowly taken over. The simple fact is that this class is boring, and if it weren't for the Charger, things would be even bleaker. The Charger in V8 guise is a celebration of all things American, and its demise and rise of the EV Charger will be a sad day for many. The 2023 Charger is comfortable, spacious, and offers excellent value, but it has aged, has a dreary interior, and the V8 models gulp down fuel. This car is honest about what it is and what it isn't, and we sure will miss it.
What Dodge Charger Model Should I Buy?
All models are essentially the same car, with only minor feature differences between them. All of them will transport a family of five in comfort. The real choice here is in engine specs. Every drivetrain has its merits, apart from the 5.7-liter V8, which is just old and out of place compared to the larger V8. The V6s are underwhelming, but thanks to the optional AWD, they're the safest vehicle from this lineup if you live in a cold-weather state.
Since this is a muscle car, we'd have the Scat Pack. It has 475 hp on tap and a soundtrack that will make your ears bleed. Dodge also ensures the engine doesn't overpower the rest of the car and adds more powerful brakes and a sportier suspension. It also has the right kit for smokey burnouts. If you want something even more aggressive, you can add the Widebody kit and even larger brakes, and adaptive suspension. These trims also benefit from a few additional luxuries such as heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
Check out other Dodge Charger Styles
Charger SRT Hellcat Compare
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