2015 Dodge Charger Road Test and Review

by Benjamin Hunting

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May 1, 2015

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7 min. Reading Time

2015 Dodge Charger front 3/4 ・ Photo by Benjamin Hunting

The 2015 Dodge Charger is proof positive that image sells cars. When Chrysler announced that there would be a 707 horsepower edition of its full-size family car called the Hellcat, it admitted publicly that there was no real 'business case' for this type of vehicle. Turns out that they were wrong, as SRT badges are flying off the shelves so quickly that Dodge can't build enough Hellcats to keep up with demand.

Chrysler was 'wrong' about the business case for the Hellcat for another reason, too. Having a halo car at the top of the line-up drives interest not just in high performance editions of Dodge's family car, but in fact all of the models down the line from SRT 392 to Scat Pack to R/T to SXT to SE. This is especially true of the redesigned Charger, which steps outside the standard sedan playbook to offer aggressive styling and attitude not often found in a large car with a sub-$30k starting point.

The 2015 Dodge Charger offers seven different trim levels from which to sample its refreshed charms. The base Charger SE (MSRP $27,995) offers a V-6 engine, keyless ignition and entry, dual climate control, 17-inch rims, the Uconnect 5.0 infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power driver's seat. The Charger SXT (MSRP $29,995) adds LED foglights, a larger 8.4-inch touchscreen (Uconnect 8.4), 18-inch wheels, additional power adjustments for the driver's seat along with front seat heaters, dual automatic climate control, a remote starter, and satellite radio, while the Charger R/T (MSRP $32,995) installs a V-8 engine, larger brakes, a free-flowing exhaust system, a rear spoiler, a stiffer suspension system, and 20-inch wheels. If you want more punch with your R/T then the R/T Road & Track model (MSRP $35,995) goes big with performance gear, including a launch control system, a limited-slip rear differential, still-bigger brakes, quicker steering, multiple electronic stability control modes, the Dodge Performance Pages suite of apps, Super Track Pack suspension, and comfort equipment like heated side mirrors, parking assistance, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats.

That's a decent list of features for a $36k sedan, but wait, there's more. The Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack (MSRP $39,995) gives you most of the above (minus some of the luxuries like ventilated front seats) plus a larger V-8 engine, Brembo brakes, a hood scoop, a sporty body kit, unique 20-inch wheels, cloth sport seats, a rearview camera, and special suspension tuning. The SRT 392 (MSRP $47,385) model continues to turn up the wick on the Charger by providing six-piston Brembo brakes up front, an adaptive suspension system, high grip tires, HID headlights, leather upholstery, a flat-bottom steering wheel, the SRT Performance Pages suite of apps, a one-day driving school experience, and a louder stereo system. Finally, there's the ultimate: the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat (MSRP $63,995), which adds in the gonzo 707 horsepower engine, a host of Hellcat-specific styling changes, and almost every feature available with the sedan as standard equipment.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Design

What's New:

The 2015 Dodge Charger has been redesigned for the current model year.

The 2015 Dodge Charger sees its muscular sheet metal massaged in an effort to smooth out its menace without losing any of the bad attitude that sets the car apart from other large sedans. The effort has been a successful one, as the new Charger feels less bulky than in years past, an effect that is highlighted by the curve of its crosshair grille and the decision to include LED headlight surrounds and a new tail lamp treatment borrowed from the 1969 Charger (made famous in the recent Fast and Furious series of films). While the six-cylinder editions of the Charger offer a respectable amount of visual growl, moving up to the Scat Pack and above trims - with the standard hood scoop, big brakes, and 20-inch wheels - really make the most of the Dodge's long platform, especially when considering their lower ride height.

For the most part Dodge has also been able to substantially improve on the Charger's previously-lackluster interior trappings. Available two-tone leather upholstery works to brighten the sedan's cabin, and the gauge cluster looks sufficiently 21st century with its available customizable LCD screen. I wish that the dashboard wasn't quite as rounded, especially surrounding the center stack's main screen and climate features, as it doesn't quite seem to fit with the rest of the car. In comparison to last year's Charger, however, it's impossible to view the 2015 model's passenger compartment as anything other than an improvement.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Comfort and Cargo

What’s New:

The 2015 Dodge Charger has been redesigned for the current model year.

First and foremost, a large car like the 2015 Dodge Charger must justify its generous dimensions by offering a corresponding amount of passenger room. Families will not be disappointed with the Charger in this respect, as the rear seat - although not class-leading - is still big enough to tote around even three teenagers sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with little complaint. The availability of heated and ventilated seats up front and heated outboard seats in the rear is also a boon to riders regardless of climate, and the quality of the leather in the car is quite good considering its modest starting price. Trunk space stands at 16.5 cubic feet, which is decent, but not overwhelming for a full-size sedan.

Even models without an adaptive suspension system fare well on bumpy roads, as Dodge has gone to great lengths to create a balance between daily comfort and handling in its flagship sedan. Overall cabin noise is low, too, unless of course you driving the Hellcat, in which case you'll be enjoying the whine of the supercharger as it boosts horsepower to an unfathomable level.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Features and Controls

The 2015 Dodge Charger adds Uconnect 8.4.
A LCD display is offered in the gauge cluster.
An improved shifter designer has been paired with the automatic transmission.

I can't praise the 2015 Dodge Charger's Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system enough for its logical on-screen menus, big, easy-to-push icons, and rapid operation. Even the smaller Uconnect 5.0 is pretty good on the entry-level Charger, making me wish the automaker would consider licensing out a bit of its LCD touchscreen magic to less-gifted brands still in the teething phase of their in-car interface development. Uconnect 8.4 also offers access to the Performance Pages suite of apps that can keep track of lap and acceleration times as well as offer vehicle data readouts and control over some of the more esoteric drive systems found in the Scat Pack, SRT 392, and Hellcat models.

Another nice addition to the Dodge Charger's display systems is the available LCD screen situated between the tachometer and the speedometer. Offering a range of readouts, including engine data, vehicle speed, navigation commands, and entertainment menus, the screen really adds a premium feel to the Charger's feature set.

Finally, I want to salute Dodge's design team for abandoning the terrible electronic gear lever found in previous automatic-equipped versions of the Charger. The handle was difficult to use and often resulted in me selecting a completely inappropriate gear for the situation at hand. The new level looks identical to the one it replaces but it makes use of a mechanical linkage that is much easier to manipulate.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Safety and Ratings

The 2015 Dodge Charger adds a number of active safety features to the options list.

One of the most impressive aspects of the 2015 Dodge Charger is its democratization of advanced safety equipment. In addition to its standard airbags (including a driver knee airbag) and electronic traction control and stability control, it's possible to add a forward collision warning and braking system, a blind spot warning system, a lane departure warning system, and a lane-keeping assist feature. This is a lot of gear for a non-luxury automobile, and Dodge is to be commended for allowing wide access to features that are still sometimes missing from even six-figure sedans.

2015 Dodge Charger Crash-Test Ratings: The Dodge Charger has been rated 'Good' by the IIHS in each important crash safety category, and it also features a five star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Engines and Fuel Economy

The 2015 Dodge Charger introduces new 6.4-liter and 6.2-liter V-8 engine options.
An eight-speed automatic is now standard across the board.
All-wheel drive can no longer be combined with V-8 engines.

The 2015 Dodge Charger starts out with a 3.6-liter V-6 that's good for up to 300 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque, which features the option of all-wheel drive. You can then opt for either a 5.7-liter V-8 (R/T, 370 horsepower, 395 lb-ft of torque), a 6.4-liter V-8 (Scat Pack, SRT 392, 485 horsepower, 475 lb-ft of torque), or a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 (SRT Hellcat, 707 horsepower, 650 lb-ft of torque). Fuel mileage for the Charger is understandably best when found in V-6 trim, where it returns 19-mpg city and 31-mpg highway. All versions of the sedan feature an eight-speed automatic transmission, replacing last year's five-speed for eight-cylinder cars, and it's a worthy addition to the Charger's spec sheet that significantly boosts smoothness and shift feel out on the road.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Driving Impressions

Surprisingly, the Dodge sedan is remarkably adept at playing each of these roles. On a daily basis, each and every version of the Charger is eminently drivable whether dealing with bumper-to-bumper traffic or tooling down a two-lane road, with even the Hellcat offering a surprisingly civilized character for those with a light foot. I was surprised by how sufficient the V-6 model's acceleration felt given its not-inconsiderable weight, and despite the presence of optional all-wheel drive the plain Jane Charger platform is willing to cut corners with more enthusiasm than I would have predicted.

The R/T's additional power is noticeable, but it's not until you get to the R/T Scat Pack's 6.4-liter Hemi that you start to realize the full performance potential of the car. In fact, I preferred the Scat Pack's boisterous soundtrack and acceptable (for its size) handling to the much pricier SRT 392's trick chassis. Were it my money, I'd even take the Scat Pack over the SRT Hellcat, for though the 707 furious horses barely contained under the latter's hood offer the closest thing to an automotive nuclear deterrent, I'm simply not convinced that many people will be ordering the Hellcat as a track car. Cruisers looking to rumble on over to the local ice cream shop will be just as happy with the real world grunt of the 6.4-liter mill.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Final Thoughts

The 2015 Dodge Charger is a unique piece of Americana, a comfortable full-size sedan that looks the business and offers a frightening amount of performance at a shockingly affordable price point. More to the point, as impressive as the Hellcat is, the Charger that most people will be buying - the V-6 SXT - is also worthy of consideration alongside a short list of rivals that includes the Ford Taurus, the Toyota Avalon, the Hyundai Azera, and the Chevrolet Impala. As one of the few rear-wheel drive family cars on the market, the Charger offers driving dynamics that are hard to find elsewhere, and its attitude-laced styling and strong list of available safety and technology features give it an advantage over a number of its would-be competitors.