2009 Dodge Charger Review Summary & Specs
SE Sedan
Modern muscle car.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The Dodge Charger delivers pony car excitement and style and recalls a bygone era, all while providing the roomy accommodations of a full-size car. The availability of all-wheel drive is a bonus for customers in the north, and the range of engines and suspension setups allows buyers to choose between fast and comfortable models. The design is a little long in the tooth, as challengers from Pontiac and Ford are pushing into the Charger's once-exclusive territory.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard filed this report from North Carolina and southern Virginia; with Mitch McCullough reporting from Michigan, and correspondent Kirk Bell reporting from Chicago.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Fullsize Cars |
| Editor |
New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup |
Dodge Charger SE ($23,895); Charger SXT ($25,510); Charger SXT AWD ($28,850); Charger R/T ($31,860); Charger R/T AWD ($33,960); Charger SRT8 ($38,670) |
| Engines (standard) |
3.5-liter V6 |
| Engines (optional) |
2.7-liter dohc 24-valve V6; 3.5-liter sohc 24-valve V6; 5.7-liter 16v V8; 6.1-liter 16v V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
5-speed automatic with AutoStick |
| Transmissions (optional) |
4-speed automatic; 5-speed automatic with AutoStick |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
multi-stage front airbags; tire-pressure monitor; child safety seat anchors (LATCH) |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
head-protecting front- and rear-passenger side-curtain airbags; torso-protecting front side-impact airbags; self-sealing tires; antilock brakes with brake assist; electronic stability program; traction control |
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
| Manufacturer Phone |
800-423-6343 |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.dodge.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$23,895 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Dodge Charger SXT ($25,510) |
| Standard Equipment |
cloth upholstery; air conditioning; interior air filter; cruise control; power windows, locks and heated outside mirrors; remote keyless entry; AM/FM/CD, 6-speaker, 276-watt Boston Acoustics stereo; auxiliary input jack; 8-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar on driver and front passenger seat; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; tilt/telescoping steering wheel; 60/40 split folding rear seat with fold-down center armrest; power-adjustable pedals; cargo net; carpeted floor mats; fog lamps; aluminum wheels |
| Destination Charge |
700 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
Popular Equipment group 26H ($2405) with dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, leather upholstery, heated front seats, power passenger seat, 276-watt Boston Acoustics sound system, automatic headlights, bodyside moldings, touring suspension and P225/60R18 tires; Supplemental side airbags ($590) includes front and rear side-curtain air bags |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Layout |
rear-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested |
$29,205 |
| Horse Power |
250 @ 6400 |
| Torque |
250 @ 3800 |
| Fuel Economy |
17/24 |
| Wheelbase |
120 |
| Length/Width/Height |
200.1/74.5/58.2 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
38.9 |
| Seating Capacity |
5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
38.7/56.2/41.8 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
36.2/55.5/40.2 |
| Trunk Volume |
16.2 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
2000 |
| Front Suspension |
independent, coil springs over gas pressure shocks, stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension |
multi-link independent, coil springs, gas pressure shocks |
| Ground Clearance |
5.2 |
| Curb Weight |
3783 |
| Stock Tires |
disc/disc with ABS and Brake Assist |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/disc with ABS and Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity |
18.0 |