The Dodge Charger was originally introduced in 1966, as a Chrysler (Dodge’s parent company) alternative to the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. But the car may have never gained the name recognition it enjoys today if not for a hit television show: The Dukes of Hazzard’s lead character, a bright orange 1969 Charger known as The General Lee, hooked millions of viewers and future car nuts with wild jumps, the thrill of speed, and the intoxicating sound of a Mopar V8 engine.

Like its competitors from Ford, Chevy, Pontiac and others, the Charger ushered in the muscle-car era with a two-door coupe, and subsequently lived on through several iterations, including a rather forgettable front-wheel-drive (FWD), four-cylinder model in the 1980s (the turbocharged Shelby variant being a notable exception). After about 20 years, the Charger nameplate had run its course and was dropped by Dodge.

Fast forward to 1998. A struggling Chrysler merged with Daimler-Benz, resulting in the DaimlerChrysler company. That partnership would prove to be short-lived, but among the byproducts was an all-new Dodge Charger, based in part on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Offered as a five-passenger, four-door sedan with coupe-like styling meant to pay homage to earlier examples, the 2006 Charger placed Dodge once again in the full-size, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) car segment. And, in what has come to be Charger tradition, that 2006 model was available with a potent V8 under the hood. In the years since, the Charger lineup has added several high-performance versions, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and a variety of engines.

CarGurus has tested various versions of Charger in recent years and recognized them with these commendable overall scores: 7.7 (2013); 8.3 (2014); 7.8 (2015); 8.2 (2016); 7.3 (2017); 7.3 (2018).

Pros: Muscle-car style, Insanely powerful engines, available AWD, expansive interior and trunk space
Cons: Not very efficient, lacking the latest safety tech, platform is beyond aging

Generations: Seven

Dodge Charger 6th Generation
Dodge Charger 7th Generation

Dodge Charger: The Future

Dodge has confirmed that the current Charger will be discontinued after the 2023 model year. What the automaker has not made clear is what, exactly, will replace it. At the 2022 Dodge Speed Week event, Dodge showed the Charger Daytona SRT Concept. The all-electric muscle car sports a two-door shape with classic Charger lines, all-wheel drive, and a unique front-end spoiler. It also features a multi-speed transmission. Most electric vehicles (EVs) get a single-speed transmission, but Dodge’s concept could be closer to the eight-speed automatic transmissions found in the newest models. The car would also come with a funky exhaust system that can pump out sounds rivaling the exhaust notes of the latest Hellcat-powered creations. Though only a concept, the Charger Daytona SRT looked shockingly production-ready, with a real interior, leather seats, and real rear seats. Dodge hasn’t made any commitments to its future on dealerships’ lots, but an electrified Charger is a fairly safe bet.

2011-Present Dodge Charger: 7th Generation

A redesign of the Dodge Charger is expected for 2021, which will mark 10 years since the debut of the seventh-generation model. For 2011, the Charger received what the casual observer likely perceived to be a mild refresh but what was, in fact, a thorough redesign. Behind the scenes was an all-new chassis with revised suspension tuning and more responsive steering, while the exterior was made even more aggressive thanks to scowling headlights and an LED taillight panel that spanned the width of the car. Interior materials were upgraded and, for the base engine, engineers opted for a 292-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. That powertrain, found in the Charger SE, earned an EPA highway rating of 27 mpg. Less efficient was the 370-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that powered the 2011 Dodge Charger R/T, offered in both RWD and AWD configurations. Other enhancements for the new generation included safety features such as a blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision warning, an 8.4-inch touch-screen UConnect infotainment system standard on the R/T, and a variety of option packages with names like Rallye and R/T Max.

Dodge’s infotainment system is a major benefit for its cars, and SRT models get an exclusive Performance Pages app that delivers real-time vehicle information. In addition to a responsive, intuitive interface, the system offers satellite radio, advanced climate controls, and more. Controls for functions such as the heated steering wheel or ventilated front seats can be easily accessed from the touchscreen.

For 2012, the Dodge Charger was updated with a new SXT trim level slotted in between the SE and R/T, and an available eight-speed automatic transmission that bumped highway fuel economy up to 30 mpg. Also notable was the return of the Charger SRT8 model, now sporting a 470-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8, a throaty active exhaust system, adaptive damping suspension, and a 900-watt sound system. A wallflower, the SRT8 was not.

Dodge added a few performance-oriented option packages in 2013 and 2014 that increased the V6’s output from 292 to 300 horsepower, and then treated the 2015 Dodge Charger to a comprehensive restyling including some all-new body panels. Once again, the chassis was retuned and fitted with more lightweight components, and the efficient eight-speed automatic transmission became standard across the board. The AWD option was limited to SE and SXT models. Engines were carried over for the Charger SE, SXT, and R/T variants, but new R/T Scat Pack and SRT 392 versions of the Charger featured the 6.4-liter Hemi that was now good for 485 horsepower. At the top of the lineup was the 2015 Charger SRT Hellcat, noteworthy for its supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 and whopping 707 horsepower.

Following all of 2015’s updates, the 2016 Charger was largely unchanged, except for added standard features for the SRT and a Super Track Pack option for V6 models. In 2017, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were integrated with the UConnect infotainment system, and a pair of Daytona trim levels joined the lineup. The Charger SE was discontinued for 2018, leaving the SXT as the entry-level model. Positioned above the SXT was a new AWD Dodge Charger GT powered by the 3.6-liter V6. More revisions were made to the Charger trim levels in 2019.

Entering its ninth year, the latest generation of the car arrived with new SRT Hellcat Wide Body and Dodge Charger Scat Pack Wide Body models. These 2020 Chargers featured fender flares and wide tires that increased overall width by 3.5 inches.

The 2022 model year brought a new variant called Jailbreak, building on the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye. The car’s supercharged Hemi V8 got another ten ponies for 807 horsepower, and Dodge offers expansive choice for interior colors, materials, and upgrades. With the unique traction control system, drivers can lock the car in place and perform massive burnouts, and the eight-speed transmission is surprisingly responsive to use of the paddle shifters.

2006-2010 Dodge Charger: 6th Generation

After a long absence, the Charger rejoined the Dodge family in 2006 as a four-door, five-passenger, RWD sedan available in SE, SXT, R/T, or SRT8 guise. Dodge Charger SE and SXT models featured a 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, whereas the R/T was equipped with a 340-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and the Charger SRT8 used a 425-horsepower 6.1-liter Hemi V8. All engines were paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The car also shared a platform with the Chrysler 300.

Based on EPA estimates, drivers of the SE or SXT could expect up to 24 mpg on the highway. All 2006 Dodge Chargers performed well in government crash tests and were well-equipped, though buyers could opt for desirable options such as a rear DVD entertainment system or UConnect touch-screen infotainment system.

Just one year after its introduction, the full-size sedan’s lineup was expanded with the addition of AWD Dodge Charger SXT and R/T variants, as well as a new 190-horsepower 2.7-liter Pentastar V6 engine that was optional on the base SE. The 2008 Charger followed with only minor changes, but more noteworthy updates were in store. For 2009, Dodge’s large sedan received restyled taillights and interior trim, standard aluminum wheels on all models, efficient cylinder deactivation technology and more power specs for the 5.7-liter V8, and several extra features for the Charger SRT8. Standard side-curtain airbags were added for the 2010 model year.