Jul 2, 2019, 10:50 AM by Mike Blake

The Dodge Charger is the top-selling American sedan on the market. America’s only four-door muscle car has been a U.S. muscle car icon since 1965, when it was launched as an option package for the Dart GT, charging out 230 horsepower – some of today’s versions more than triple that output. With more muscle than the original, Charger remains of top-seller in the 11th year of its current run and sixth year in the current generation, with a full redesign, expected for 2020 or 2021.

For 2019, Charger revamps the Charger lineup and upgrades the muscle machine inside and out. New for 2019, Dodge is repositioning the Charger lineup into six distinct, attitude-infused models that offer a range of performance and powertrain options for every modern muscle-car customer. The lineup ranges from the 707-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat – arguably the quickest, fastest and most powerful sedan in the world – to the efficient V-6 power of the new Charger GT RWD performance model and the all-wheel-drive capability of the new SXT AWD model. Charger GT and R/T models receive a full complement of race-bred chassis upgrades and features along with new performance looks, such as a performance hood with air induction, styled fascia, sculpted side sills, decklid spoiler and seats. Also new for 2019, Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and Scat Pack trims feature standard performance upgrades, including Launch Assist and Line Lock; a new performance grille with dual air inlets; new Launch Control switch on Scat Pack; and Torque Reserve, After-Run Chiller on SRT Hellcat.

Charger is a full-size sedan assembled Brampton, Ontario, Canada, with a unitized steel body and aluminum hood. Playing well on its heritage, Charger draws on design cues from its historic 1969 model, Charger turns heads with its muscularity, while its wide body hugs the pavement from highway to track. My Charger R/T test ride was 200.8 inches long, 75.0 inches wide and 58.5 inches high on a 120.2-inch wheelbase with a curb weight of about 4270 lbs., and ground clearance of a scant 4.9 inches.

Charger’s rep has been earned with its looks and its muscle performance. The 2019 version puts the original 1965’s 230 horses back to the stable with powerful engine choices. The standard Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine impresses with 292hp and 260 lbs-ft of torque for an EPA rating of 18/city and 27/hwy for AWD. The optional Super TrackPack upgrade bumps the power to 300hp and 264 lbs-ft. The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 that powered my R/T trim Charger thunders out 370 horses and 395 lbs-ft. The HEMI system was rated at 16mpg/city and 25mpg/highway and my mixed-use and heavy-acceleration tests averaged 23.1mpg. The Street & Racing Technology (SRT) Scat Pack and Daytona 392 trims employ a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 that muscles out 485 hp and 475 lbs-ft of torque for a rating of 15/city and 25/hwy and street-legal/track-worthy speed. The SRT Hellcat versions supercharge their 6.2-liter HEMI for a jet-thrusting 707hp and 650 lbs-ft of torque for racing and performance capabilities at an EPA rating of 13/city and 22/hwy.

I am a stick-and-clutch guy, and prefer manual transmissions in my muscle cars, but my 5.7 HEMI was coupled to an attentive TorqueFlite 8-Speed Automatic Transmission. The push-button start begins with a purring exhaust note, and when called upon, the system provides instant, tire-spinning power. Passing at speed is effortless, and track tests showed a 5.9-second zero-to-60mph dash during a 14.3-second quarter-mile.

Charger hugs the pavement in all maneuvers. Its independent SLA front suspension with high upper “A” arm, coil spring over gas-charged monotube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar works with the rear’s one piece lower-control arms on the AWD models for precise handling, and the rack and pinion steering with electric power assist is responsive and predictable.

The driver-oriented interior is skillfully conceived with premium, soft-touch materials, a full-color driver information display gauge cluster, and an instrument panel center stack with the newest Uconnect system. The interior offers comfort for drivers and passengers under 6-feet tall, at 38.6 inches of front headroom and 36.6 in the rear seats. Legroom is good for even taller inhabitants, at 41.8 inches in row one with 40.1 in row two, and wide-body shoulder room of 59.5 inches in front and 57.9 in the rear.

With six trims and multiple variations basing from $29,990 for the 300-hp Charger GT and $33,320 for the 292-hp SXT, to $67,245 for the 707hp SRT Hellcat. My370hp test 2019 Charger R/T was third on the trim list, base priced at $35,995.

In B5 Blue exterior paint (for an extra $69), with Black cloth seats, my test ride included such options as: the Harman Kardon® Audio Group for $1595, with 19 Harman Kardon® Green Edge® speakers, subwoofer and amp; The Driver Confidence Group for $1245, with Blind Spot power heated mirrors, Blind Spot and Cross-Path Detection, Auto-Dimming Mirror and more; The $995 Navigation and Travel Group with SiriusXM® Traffic Plus and Uconnect® 4CNAV with 8.4-Inch Display; and a Power sunroof added $1295. I would have liked some R/T-specific cosmetics and competition stripes, but that could have added more than $2000. Adding Destination charges of $1495 put the sticker-as-tested at $42,689, but regional incentives cut my price to $40,189, so check your local dealer for available discounts.

You can see 50 years of the Dodge Charger Daytona and 500 on display at the largest Mopar event in the world featuring over 2,700 vehicles from all eras of the Chrysler brand, at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds, July 12-14. Fifty years is the key this year as Carlisle will pay homage to: 50 ½ years of the A12 Roadrunner and Super Bee; and 50 Years of Summer ’69. And you can also take a free thrill ride in a 700-hp Hellcat. Classic cars, muscle cars, trucks, and high-performance new models are all showcased at this Mopar-lover's paradise. Cars, parts, tools, memorabilia, collectibles and more will be for sale in the Mopar Automotive Flea Market, as well as the latest and greatest products within the Manufacturers Midway.



<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>