2008 Dodge Charger Review
The Dodge Charger is a full-size, four-door sedan
that makes a bold design statement and backs it up with serious
horsepower. A wide range of models is available, but all are
comfortable cruisers, offering drivers a friendly haven from traffic
and bumpy freeways.
The model line ranges from the sporty and entertaining
2.7-liter Charger SE to the 425-hp SRT8. Between them are 3.5-liter V6 and
5.7-liter V8 models. The 3.5-liter V6 delivers entirely adequate performance for
the mid-grade SXT model, while the V8s generate thrilling acceleration
performance and make all the right noises.
All-wheel drive is available for all-weather capability.
The Charger illustrates just how
multi-talented and accomplished today's high-performance cars are compared to
the uni-dimensional hot rods of yesteryear. The Charger has all the
pavement-ripping, gut-thumping power of the old muscle cars, but it's packaged
with modern creature comforts and tempered by handling competency. Put another
way, it rides, turns and stops as well as it goes.
The Charger is fun to drive and enjoyable for just cruising
along. It's perfectly in its element when making time on a freeway. It is a big,
heavy, full-size sedan measuring more than 16 feet in length and tipping the
scales near two tons, but it's responsive and entertaining.
For 2008, the Charger gets minor interior design changes and
two new entertainment options. Newly available are Sirius Backseat TV for the
rear entertainment system, and Dodge's MyGig, a 20 gigabyte hard drive that
holds songs, pictures, and navigation system map information. The interior
changes include a new instrument panel and center console, as well as upgraded
soft-touch surfaces on the arm rests, center console and door trim. Dodge's
UConnect hands-free cell-phone link is also upgraded with integrated iPod
interface.
The Dodge Charger was launched as a 2006 model in the spring
of 2005.
The base Dodge Charger SE has a 178-hp 2.7-liter V6 and a
four-speed automatic transmission. SXT comes with a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6 and a
five-speed automatic transmission with Dodge's AutoStick manual shift gate. R/T
models have a 340-hp 5.7-liter V8 and the five-speed AutoStick automatic. The
R/T can be upgraded to 350 horsepower by ordering the Road/Track or Daytona
packages. SRT8 models have a 425-hp 6.1-liter V8 and the AutoStick.
The SE ($21,675) comes with cloth upholstery, air
conditioning, cruise control, tilt/telescope steering wheel, driver and
passenger lumbar adjustment, remote keyless entry, and AM/FM/CD stereo with
auxiliary input jack. Steel wheels with bolt-on covers wear all-season
P215/65R17 tires, and all Chargers have a Touring suspension. Available options
include an engine block heater ($40), a Smoker's Group ($30) that adds a lighter
and ashtray, and the SE Convenience Group 1 that adds an eight-way power
driver's seat and adjustable pedals ($505).
The SXT ($25,685) upgrades with an eight-way adjustable power
driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 60/40 split
folding rear seat with fold-down center armrest, Boston Acoustics stereo with
six speakers and 276-watt amplifier, interior air filter, power-adjustable
pedals, Sirius satellite radio with one year subscription, fog lamps and cast
aluminum wheels. The SXT is available with all-wheel drive ($28,035). Options
include leather-trimmed seats ($640), sunroof ($950), and Dodge's UConnect
hands-free cell phone link now with iPod interface. Also available are 18-inch
aluminum wheels with P225/60R all-season tires coupled with a rear spoiler. In
addition to the Protection Group and Smokers Group, there's a Comfort Seating
Group with heated front seats, leather-trimmed bucket seats, power adjustable
pedals and an eight-way power front passenger seat ($1395).
Many options are available. For example, you can get a
V8-powered, high-performance model also with all-wheel drive for around $33,880.
You can even add folding heated mirrors, 160-mph speedometer, upgraded brakes,
polished aluminum 18-inch wheels, larger fuel tank, dual exhaust, automatic
headlamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and power
eight-way front passenger seat. Among one of the options are a seven-speaker
Boston Acoustic stereo with a 368-watt amplifier and subwoofer ($535) and remote
starting. The Electronics Convenience Group ($630) adds a security alarm,
programmable universal garage door opener, trip computer, selectable vehicle
information display, compass and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
The SRT8 ($36,155) comes with a 6.1-liter
V8 generating 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, a performance-tuned
suspension, a reprogrammed electronic stability control, Brembo brakes, Goodyear
Supercar F1 tires on 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, and a 180-mph speedometer.
The Super Bee package for the SRT8 comes in Surf Blue for
2008 with black graphics on the hood, trunk and flanks, along with the
V8/bumblebee logo.
For 2008, two new entertainment options
are available for all but SE models: Sirius Backseat TV and Chrysler's MyGig
entertainment system. The rear-seat DVD entertainment system is now offered with
Sirius Backseat TV with three channels. MyGig is available in two versions. The
MyGig Entertainment System has 6.5-inch touchscreen and a 20-gigabyte hard drive
to hold music and pictures. The MyGig Multimedia Infotainment System adds a
navigation system with voice control and real-time traffic, and part of the hard
drive space is taken up by navigation map information.
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, head-protecting side curtain airbags for both
seating rows, and torso-protecting front side airbags are standard on all but
SE, where they are optional. All-wheel drive is available for SXT and R/T
models.