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2016 Dodge Charger Rt Road and Track Review

The Automobile Connection Good Review

Kirk Bell Senior Editor

June 20, 2016

Buying tip

Performance is offered throughout the Charger lineup, just the V-6 delivers 31 highway mpg with decent power.

features & specs

4-Door Sedan R/T RWD

iv-Door Sedan R/T Scat Pack RWD

iv-Door Sedan Road/Track RWD

With rear-wheel drive and available V-eight ability, the 2016 Dodge Charger is a family unit sedan with a muscle-car heartbeat.

The 2016 Dodge Charger combines elements of old muscle machine styling with a modern aesthetic. The Coke-canteen shape is right out of the '60s, but the automobile too has the short front and rear overhangs and large wheels of a modern performance sedan. The grille and other details are closely aligned with other Dodge models, including the Durango R/T and the sportiest versions of the Dart. It looks like a automobile that will slip powerfully through the air rather than batter it bated through brute force.

Afterwards a major refresh concluding year, the 2016 Charger offers the Super Track Pack for V-6 models, a new Plum Crazy "heritage" color, a new Blacktop Appearance bundle, additional equipment on the SRT 392 model, and new tech features. Those tech features include a drag-and-drop menu bar on the viii.4-inch touchscreen control interface, Siri Optics Gratis voice control, a "Do Not Disturb" characteristic, and a digital version of the possessor's manual.

From the 2016 Contrivance Charger SE and SXT V-6 models, up to the outrageous, exotic-level Charger SRT Hellcat, this is a lineup that delivers even more functioning than you'd await given the level of comfort and twenty-four hour period-to-day usability of these four-door sedans.

The king of the lineup is the Charger SRT Hellcat. It has the same 707-horsepower supercharged 6.two-liter 5-viii equally the Challenger SRT Hellcat, simply it accelerates even quicker than the Challenger Hellcat (0 to lx mph in merely iii.7 seconds, officially). And its pinnacle speed is a holy-rolling 204 mph.

Below that resides the R/T Scat Pack and SRT 392, which take a 485-hp 6.4-liter V-8 that can vault the Charger from 0 to 60 mph in the mid four-second range. With the Scat Pack, that performance is available at an entry price of effectually $40,000.

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One step down from there is the R/T, with its v.7-liter HEMI 5-eight, rated at 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque.

Those who don't need so much ability will be happy with the base engine in the SE model. It'southward the Pentastar 3.6-liter Five-6 producing 292-hp and 260 lb-ft of torque (up to 300 hp and 264 hp with the Rallye Appearance Group in the SXT). Either V-6 model comes standard with rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive is optional.

Nosotros've found the Five-6 models to be very responsive with the Charger's standard viii-speed automatic manual. In fact, the V-half-dozen is really all that you'd need for keeping ahead of traffic, provided y'all're not going to miss having a V-8 under the hood. With any V-eight, the eight-speed also allows for relaxed mid-throttle passing without having the engine belt out its full song to constabulary enforcement.

Across the lineup—all except for the Hellcat—the Charger has electric ability steering. Thankfully, that's cipher to fear, as the steering tracks with a reassuring on-centre feel and feels well weighted off-center.

Ride quality is on the firm side, but quite comfy, even in V-eight models. The combination of ride quality and handling is impressive on the more than performance-oriented models.

Large doors in front make getting in and out piece of cake. And an elongated roofline makes getting into the back-seat positions easy, even for 6-footers, with plenty of caput room all effectually. The front seats are broad and well bolstered, while rear-seat leg room is a piddling tight for long-legged people. Overall, interior materials and trims are excellent, with plenty of soft-impact materials upward high and impressive switchgear.

The Charger earned the highest five-star overall score in NHTSA safety testing. The IIHS gives information technology top "Skillful" ratings in all categories except the small front overlap crash exam, which ways it tin can't earn Meridian Safety Pick honors. Buyers can increase the prophylactic of their Chargers with such features every bit blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane deviation warnings with lane-keep assist, frontward collision warnings, and adaptive cruise control.

Even the base Charger SE trim level includes ability windows, locks, and mirrors; keyless ignition; a power driver'southward seat; and an AM/FM/CD sound arrangement with touchscreen command. Uconnect services are included as well. These comprise ix-1-1 and assist call, roadside assistance calling options, theft alert, voice texting, and a wi-fi hotspot. Content increases every bit you move up the model lineup, and all other models come standard with the Uconnect 8.4-inch center touchscreen. Dodge also offers a set of "heritage" color options, including B5 Blue, TorRed, and new for 2016, Plum Crazy.

V-half dozen Chargers are EPA-rated at 19 mpg city, 31 highway, 23 overall with rear-wheel drive and xviii/27/21 with all-wheel drive. Opt for any of the V-8 models and you'll spend much more at the pump. The HEMI V-8-powered R/T models come with cylinder deactivation to save fuel in low load situations, just they withal return mediocre 16/25/xix mpg.

The 2016 Contrivance Charger combines the archetype Coke-bottle shape with the tidy lines of a modern performance sedan.

The Charger combines elements of old muscle auto styling with a modern aesthetic. The Coke-canteen shape is correct out of the '60s, only the machine also has the short front end and rear overhangs and large wheels of a modern performance sedan. The grille and other details are closely aligned with other Dodge models, including the Durango R/T and the sportiest versions of the Sprint.

Last year'southward exterior redesign touched every body panel except the roof and the rear doors. The design team "took a chainsaw to all four corners of the car" to reduce the visual bulk of its square-cut front end and rear. While the result is the same length as earlier, information technology looks more compact, more than like a mid-size car with significant presence than the full-size sedan it actually is.

The side profile—if you lot ignore the dramatically more than blunt front end and rear ends—is much the same as the pre-2015 Charger, including the Coke-canteen rear fender nifty, a high belt line, and hard-edged roof pillars. Yet the rear flanks are a little smoother and less angular, with more wraparound to the rear lights.

Up front the nose is depression, with an almost BMW-like bevel at the forepart edge of the hood, and the slim blacked-out Dodge crosshair grille is bracketed by projector headlights outlined with distinctive C-shaped LED daytime running lights. Divide LED calorie-free units are built into the front bumper, and the center of the bumper bar is blacked out on R/T models, just equally it is on higher-operation models of the smaller Contrivance Dart.

The "LED racetrack" rear lights are a signature of the Charger. Dodge uses light pipes to give a continuous red outline to the tail panel. The rear bumper has a smooth design, and the frazzle inlets are integrated into the lower console. On the torso lid, Dodge provides a pocket-size lip spoiler that provides plenty of downforce with a clean, integrated look.

Within, as ever, you pay for this model's rather high window line with outward visibility that's more than limited than in most other sedans. The upright packaging brings plenty of head room all effectually, and broad, strongly bolstered front seats offer a wait and feel that's definitely operation-inspired. Otherwise the pattern is harmonious with the rest of the models in the Dodge and Jeep lineups, with subtle surfacing, contrasting matte metallic framing accents, and plenty of soft-touch materials. In that location's a 7.0-inch brandish screen in the instrument cluster, while the center stack includes an eight.4-inch touchscreen, used for 3-D navigation and downloadable apps.

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Performance is satisfying with the V-6, but you lot tin can't beat the character and impressive firepower of the V-8s.

From the 2016 Dodge Charger SE and SXT V-half dozen models, upward to the outrageous, exotic-level Charger SRT Hellcat, this is a lineup that delivers fifty-fifty more performance than you'd wait given the level of comfort and day-to-day usability of these four-door sedans.

Across the lineup, except for the Hellcat, the Charger has electric power steering. Thankfully, that'due south nothing to fear every bit the organisation tracks with a reassuring on-center experience and it is well weighted off-center.

The base engine for the SE model is a 292-horsepower Pentastar 3.6-liter V-vi producing 260 pound-anxiety of torque, and information technology's the fuel economic system champ. The SXT model with the Rallye Appearance Group (made up of a cold-air intake, engine-control software tweaks, and a different exhaust system) boosts those numbers to 300 hp and 264 lb-ft.

With the 8-speed automatic that was added last year, we've found the V-half dozen models to exist very responsive. Information technology'due south really all that you'd demand for keeping ahead of traffic, provided you're not going to miss having a V-8 under the hood.

All-cycle drive remains optional only on the V-6 models, and it includes an agile transfer instance with front axle disconnect, a feature that should assist improve fuel economy during most types of driving. In the by we've noted that the steering doesn't air current and unwind with the aforementioned neatness as in rear-wheel-drive models, giving the car a bulkier feel. Nosotros'll update this as presently every bit we can get into a revised AWD version.

The V-8, of grade, is what's unsaid when most people run into a Charger. And for that, you have plenty of options and performance levels.

To get-go, in that location's the R/T with its 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 rated at 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. The R/T has lots of low-rpm torque, which is typical of an American Five-eight. The 8-speed automated transmission performs flawlessly with this engine, and while you sure don't demand eight ratios for an engine with this kind of torque plateau, it does mean that the R/T is always on top of its game. It has plenty of intermediate ratios to choose from when you desire to ease into a pass without going full-throttle (and turning the heads of law enforcement, because it's still a very vocal engine).

To a higher place that, the R/T Scat Pack and SRT 392 models have a 485-hp, 6.four-liter V-8. The Scat Pack makes the half dozen.4 bachelor at an entry toll of effectually $40,000. The 6.4-liter 5-8 is much stronger than the 5.7, delivering a 0 to 60 mph time in the mid four-second range. Any operation buyer who drives it will want to pass on the 5.7 for the half dozen.four.

The king of the lineup is the Charger SRT Hellcat. It has the same 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 as the Challenger SRT Hellcat, only it accelerates even quicker than the Challenger Hellcat (0 to 60 mph in only three.7 seconds, officially). And its peak speed is a holy-rolling 204 mph.

The SRT 392 and Hellcat upgrade to huge Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers in forepart, as well as a multi-fashion adaptive damping organization that allows you to accept more control at the track without the ride becoming too punishing on the street. In about of the V-eight models there's also a Drive Mode system, and all Charger models with electric power steering, except for the base SE, have multiple settings for that.

All of these models handle surprisingly well for a big, heavy sedan, with much more of a nimble nature than a Ford Taurus or Chevrolet Impala. In that location's a bit of lean and body gyre in all models, but it's better controlled in the SRT 392 and Hellcat thanks to their selectable intermission. Dodge retuned the suspension last yr, making information technology a flake more business firm, yet somehow we retrieve the ride is more agreeable.

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The muscle-car stance and rear-cycle bulldoze layout rob some interior infinite, but otherwise form follows function quite well within the Charger.

The Charger'due south interior materials and trims are high in quality, with plenty of soft-touch materials up high and impressive switchgear. Nosotros like how you tin can go cloth heated seats (the R/T comes with that), though we find that the upholstery itself attracts lint and hair.

We like the Uconnect control interface with its large 8.4-inch touchscreen. The icons on this screen are large enough to be like shooting fish in a barrel to hit with a finger, and strong processing ability means quick reactions. The pattern is as like shooting fish in a barrel to empathize equally annihilation on the market, making this 1 of our favorite in-automobile control systems. For 2016, it adds a drag-and-drop menu bar, Siri Eyes Gratuitous vocalisation recognition, a "Do Not Disturb" characteristic, and a digital version of the owner's manual.

In general, the cabin of the Charger is sophisticated and tranquility, and during a moisture week we noted that at that place's very little road racket entering the cabin. What you do hear in the 5-eight versions (and less so in Five-6 versions) is the constant thrum (more than of a throaty rumble, really) of the engine. Nosotros have a feeling virtually Charger buyers will find that charming.

With a large footprint, the Charger offers skillful comfort and plenty of space. Large doors in front make getting in and out piece of cake, and an elongated roofline makes getting into the back-seat positions easy, even for 6-footers, with enough of head room all around. The front seats are broad and well bolstered. The rear seat leg room is a piddling tight for long-legged tall people, but complainers can be silenced by reminding them that it meets law-car standards. With 16.v cubic feet, the torso is large, only simply boilerplate for the class.

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The 2016 Dodge Charger's confident, secure feel is augmented by many of the latest safe features.

The 2016 Dodge Charger is a relatively safe pick for family unit use, provided you don't determine to examination the limits of the Hellcat's power.

The 2016 Charger has received a 5-star overall rating by federal officials, including five stars for rollover safety and five stars for side-impact protection. The IIHS has given the Charger top "Good" ratings for all tests but the small front overlap examination where information technology received a "Marginal" rating. That score prevents the Charger from earning Top Safety Pick honors.

Standard safety features include full-length side-curtain airbags, a driver's side articulatio genus bag, and front end-seat active caput restraints. Rear park assist and a rearview camera are standard on the R/T Scat Pack model and above. Rear cross-traffic warning is standard on the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat, and blind-spot monitors are standard on the Hellcat. These items are offered in several choice packages for other models.

To get many of the advanced safety features yous'll need to jump for the Technology Grouping, which includes lane-divergence warning with lane-proceed assist, forward standoff alert, and adaptive cruise control.

The Charger's connectivity and entertainment features are refreshingly simple, and Dodge offers a wide assortment of models and options.

With seven different models, the 2016 Dodge Charger offers something for anybody. The model lineup consists of: SE, SXT, R/T, R/T Road & Track, R/T Scat Pack, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat. Rear-wheel bulldoze is standard, and the V-vi-powered SE and SXT are offered with all-bike drive.

The base Charger SE comes standard with power windows, locks, and mirrors; keyless ignition; a power commuter's seat; and an AM/FM/CD audio system with touchscreen control. The SE likewise comes with Uconnect services, which incorporate emergency calls, roadside help calling options, theft alert, vox texting and a wi-fi hotspot.

The Charger also opens upwards USB ports for plug-in dongles to offering in-auto wi-fi, and offers a media hub, in all models, that includes multiple USB ports, an aux-in port, and an SD card slot.

The SXT adds heated mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, Alpine premium audio, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Information technology also gets the Uconnect 8.iv-inch system, with a touchscreen display, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Uconnect Admission. The Super Rails Pak package is newly available for 5-vi models. It lowers the break past 0.five inch and adds Bilstein daze absorbers, firmer break tuning, a three.07 rear beam ratio, and Dodge'south Performance Pages digital readouts.

The R/T gets die-cast zinc paddle-shifters and a sport suspension, while the R/T Road & Rail comes with 20-inch chrome-clad wheels with performance tires, a functioning powertrain controller, a rear differential with a 3.06 axle, heated-and-ventilated sport seats, and ability adjustable pedals and steering column.

The R/T Scat Pack is the "heritage" model of the lineup. It has performance pedals, a high-performance intermission, and black-and-satin wheels, as well equally Brembo iv-piston brakes and Bilstein dampers.

The SRT 392 gets a power passenger seat and heated rear seats, plus a Brembo half-dozen-piston ultra-high operation brake package. For 2016, it also adds premium Laguna leather upholstery, navigation, Hard disk drive radio, and five years of SiriusXM TravelLink and SiriusXM Traffic.

In addition to its very significant engine upgrade, the Charger SRT Hellcat gets a Drive Modes feature, assuasive Sport, Rails, Default, and Eco settings that together impact transmission shift points, paddle-shifter behavior, traction controls, and suspension. They can also limit power; the Charger Hellcat includes a crimson and a black keyfob, with the blackness one offer reduced engine output downwardly to a mere 500 horsepower. There'due south also a Valet Mode. A 900-watt, xviii-speaker Harmon Kardon premium audio system is standard for the Hellcat (optional on the SRT 392), equally are a flat-bottom heated steering cycle, heated-and-cooled front seats, and heated rear seats. The seats are also upgraded, with more cushioning and bolstering, and this model gets a special T-handle shifter.

Exclusive to the SRT 392 and Hellcat model is a three-way adaptive damping system with Auto, Sport, and Track modes. Both the SRT 392 and the Hellcat ride on Z-rated Pirelli P Zero performance tires. The R/T Scat Pack, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat all come with an active exhaust arrangement, and a Functioning Pages system with launch control and diverse performance timers and meters (including yard-force readouts).

Throughout the lineup there are six 20-inch alloy bicycle designs, also as a host of "heritage" color options, including B5 Blue, TorRed, and, new for 2016, Plum Crazy.

You can easily add together many thousands of dollars to the bottom-line price of a Charger if yous get carried away with options, and many of them are placed together in large packages. For instance, Plus and Premium Group packages can add Nappa leather sport seats and things similar a heated steering wheel to the SXT or R/T models.

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The V-6 models are responsible consumers, merely the Five-8s are thirsty, even with cylinder deactivation.

In terms of engines and functioning, the 2016 Contrivance Charger spans a wide range. At that place's no costless dejeuner here. For every step upwardly in performance, yous lose some miles per gallon. And the stride up in thirst from V-vi to V-viii models is specially large.

V-6 Chargers are EPA-rated at 19 mpg city, 31 highway, 23 overall with rear-wheel bulldoze and xviii/27/21 mpg with all-bike drive. Every bit we've witnessed, if you fix the prowl command, you can wait fifty-fifty the rear-drive Charger to achieve its highway figure.

Opt for whatever of the V-8 models and you'll spend much more at the pump. The Hemi V-8-powered R/T models come up with cylinder deactivation to save fuel in low load situations, simply they yet render mediocre 16/25/nineteen mpg ratings. We averaged 16 mpg in a recent drive of an R/T.

SRT models figure in at 15/25/xviii mpg. At the top of the lineup, the 707-hp SRT Hellcat is no miser, but at thirteen/22/xvi mpg, it might not exist as bad as you lot'd expect.

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The Car Connection Consumer Review

v star

iv star

3 star

2 star

100%

one star

February 21, 2016

2016 Contrivance Charger 4-Door Sedan SXT AWD

Infuriating Garbage

  • Overall Rating
  • Styling
  • Performance
  • Comfort & Quality
  • Safety
  • Features
  • Fuel Economic system
  • Reliability

Where to start? So I bought this car based on expert reviews. Do not trust them. This car is the prime number example of what is incorrect with the American auto manufacture. Great ideas that are poorly executed. The... Where to starting time? So I bought this car based on practiced reviews. Practise not trust them. This auto is the prime instance of what is wrong with the American auto industry. Great ideas that are poorly executed. The styling is kinda slow. The interior is a plastic sea of bland styling and afterthought peices. Poor quality plastic at that. It's every bit if they couldn't recollect of anything to make full in the blandness so they only tried to rely on the gizmos to impress yous.

Speaking of gizmos, let's get-go with the musical instrument cluster. It is a great looking instrument cluster. Very impressive actually. Reminds me of offerings from the German brands. It is also like shooting fish in a barrel to navigate. In that location is inappreciably any reason for your hands to leave the steering wheel. It is clear they want your attention on driving. Information technology probably also helps to keep your eyes out of the cockpit so you don't find how bad the interior really is. The seats are very comfortable and take many adjustments. You cannot change the color of the interior lighting like y'all can on the Ford system.

The infotainment arrangement is okay. Much better than the Ford Sync system. It is responsive and easy to navigate. I have also had to reset it nearly every time I drive it. The Uconnect system is honestly not worth the hassle. Trying to become my Samsung S5 and this organisation to cooperate is a pain. The app is straight up garbage. Wifi in the car is a joke. They besides charge $40 per calendar month for this "feature". It just stops working afterward using it for any amount of fourth dimension. The voice commands especially for the navigation is abysmal. Information technology was bad in the Ford only so much worse in the Dodge. Don't fifty-fifty bother to use the vox feature with the navigation. The navigation itself is okay. Seems to piece of work as advertised. It is a superior organisation to Fords in this regard. The voice system is half baked at best. Seriously the worst arrangement in the cars I have owned. Even Hyundai has a meliorate system. It'due south a consummate waste.

Now, let'south chat nearly the nuts and bolts. Ability is supremely defective for a supposed 300 hp V6. I live in Colorado and have 650 miles on the motorcar and can tell you it is admittedly terrible on the ability. My buddies 2008 Toyota Camry has amend power. As a matter of fact the Audi A4 has a better feel to the ability with an lxxx hp deficit. I should have bought the Audi. Lessons learned.

The AWD is infuriating. You wouldn't call up it would be as nigh cars with AWD just kinda leave it on. This car is rediculous. The AWD stays off and leaves the car in RWD normally. If the temperature is 40° or lower the AWD comes on. If you run the wipers for an amount of fourth dimension the AWD activates (that's true). If you activate sports manner the AWD activates and then now you can burn more than gas with no real benefits at all. You don't get more ability. You don't get improve handling it just revs longer before shifting. Seriously, that's it. If y'all plough off the traction control the AWD activates. If yous use the paddle shifters the AWD activates. In manual mode the AWD activates. It is so stupid to leave the commuter no command over the organisation. For example, if I desire to downshift going downwards a hill the car will throw on the AWD and then I can burn more gas for no reason. Or if information technology's cold and dry I am killing my MPG with the AWD for literally no reason at all because information technology is 39° outside. This car allows no fun at all because of the one-half baked idea with the traction control and "sport" mode. What is incorrect with the ding dongs at Dodge? This system makes no sense. Don't even try to bulldoze it agressively, it will kill your fun quick.

It handles like a grandad boat. That'due south all I can say nearly that.

Oh and when I tried to take this terrible car dorsum I had discovered it depriciated $10,000.00!!!! All within 250 miles of driving it. I expected $5000 or even $8000 and bluntly would have paid it only to be rid of this awful car. Simply $10,000? Seriously!?!

Best I can practise is warn others to stay abroad. Please learn from my stupidity. Practice not even consider this car. It is the worst possible determination to buy this auto and I regret it immensely.

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