2016 Dodge Charger SXT Review
BY Mike Mavilia
Overview:
Since the rebirth of the Charger in 2006, Dodge has continually injected new life into this American Classic.This eye catching 4 door sedan has a sporty interior, ample seating, 4 powerful engine options ranging from the 292 horsepower V6 to the 707 horsepower supercharged V8. It’s not the only sedan on the market with Performance and Style, but when you look at the domestic alternatives it sure does stand out. Other domestic considerations may be the Ford Fusion, Chevy Impala or the Buick LaCrosse, none with the the attitude of the Charger.
Road Test:
Listed as the base engine, the 3.6 liter, 292 horsepower V6 has enough power to maneuver the highways while still allowing for satisfying fuel economy. The V6 does not have the unique “purr” of the V8 but acceleration between the two is only slightly noticeable. The smooth shifting of the 8 speed automatic transmission sure is nice when commuting in heavy traffic. When needed, the well tuned transmission still has sporty low gears to and transitions to a very quiet cruiser at high gears.
The most important features of a vehicle with power is the ability to handle the turns and stop when needed. No matter which model Charger you choose the driving experience is definitely enhanced with its tight suspension and responsive braking.
Convenience and Comfort:
The interior options are plentiful and allows you to tailor your ride with a sporty yet comfortable driving experience. A good mix of 12 volt and USB power outlets throughout the car makes it simple to power several devices at one time.
The redesigned center console shifter gives Charger a distinctive level of sophistication. The electronic shifter with AutoStick mimics the operation of a traditional linkage shifter, while allowing for smoother and more efficient shifting.
Those in need of super tech, the feature rich touch screen display with Navigation, Bluetooth and additional apps to enhance your daily drive are a must. The size of the display is just the right size for all the features and apps right at your fingertips. With the ability to add premium paid services through the UConnect system allows you to remote start the car, turn on the heat or AC as well as warm up your seats directly from a mobile device. .
Seating is very comfortable and spacious enough for 5 full sized adults.The front bucket seats are well formed and keep you in place when taking corners..
Good News:
Spacious interior with plenty of leg room for up to 5 passengers. Feature rich and touch screen head unit. Smooth ride with enough horsepower to accelerate with ease.
Bad News:
The only thing that i wish Dodge had done differently with the Charger was the direction in which the shifter is moved to change it from automatic to manual shifting. Rather than pulling the shifter towards you leaves you accidently changing from auto to manual when turning. My natural instinct is to hold the shifter when in manual mode to allow for quick shifting on a curvy road, which is difficult to remember not to use it as a
Another note is the direction to downshift. Most people would tell you that when in manual mode, you would pull the shifter down to downshift and push up to upshift. Not the case here, and it takes a little while to get used to. .
Standard Equipment:
Engine: The Gas 6.0L V8 truly is the right engine for this truck.
Transmission: The 8-speed automatic transmission makes city or highway driving smooth sailing!
MPG: 19 city / 31 highway is adequate for a daily driver.
Curb weight: At near 4,000 lbs. Accelerating and braking are never an issue
Horsepower: 325 hp
Fuel tank capacity: 18.5 gal
Tire size: P235/55R19
Wheel size: 17″ diameter, 7″ width
Pricing:
MSRP as tested is $29,995