You’re hard-pressed to find a V8 sedan under $40,000, which makes the 2022 Dodge
Charger an attractive option. Though it's not as refined as the Chrysler
300, the Charger offers exceptional value and bold sophistication. But is a low score in one section enough to deter buyers from this high-performance muscle car?
Where the 2022 Dodge Charger excels
Because it's one of the best bangs for your buck, Consumer Reports
is a big fan of the 2022 Dodge Charger. According to the organization, “Under a luxury brand name, a sedan delivering that much content and performance would cost another $20,000 or more.” The 2022 model passed the Consumer Reports performance test with flying colors. It ranked 5 out of 5 on acceleration, transmission, and braking. And the auto can ramp up to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds.
Watch out family sedans, this old-school vehicle is powered by 370 hp and a 5.7-liter Vb Hemi engine. But if a noisy V8 isn’t your style, you can opt for the standard 3.6-liter V6 (also available in AWD). “No matter which engine you choose, the eight-speed automatic shifts almost imperceptibly and is always in the right ratio,” according to Consumer Reports.
For committed enthusiasts, the 485-hp Scat Pack and 797-hp Hellcat Redeye are also an option. But they do come at a price. Though you’ll pay about $5,000 more, the Scat Pack can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds!
The 2022 Dodge Charger mutes impact effectively and absorbs bumps well. On the highway, reviewers said the vehicle felt solid, steady, and controlled. Car and Driver
begged to differ stating that the “questionable interior quality and overly firm ride…gets worse on the optional 20-inch wheels.” Wide and heavy, the charger’s cabin is quiet and the V8 engine is only noticeable under hard throttle. There are actually quite a few engines offered, depending on what trim you choose.
According to Consumer Reports, “6-powered Chargers are pleasant but unexciting, while the V8-powered R/T strikes a good balance of sport and luxury. The on-steroids SRT has more muscle-bound growl, while the Hellcat adds a distinctive supercharger whine.” While some would be annoyed, others may be enthralled.
There are plenty of options to customize the color of the interior, but black is recommended if you’re going for a bold, sleek vibe. The driver has ample room to stretch out behind the wheel and despite side bolstering on the seats, the feel is pretty relaxed. Performance seats with bigger bolsters come with the V8 engine models.
Where the macho sedan could improve
The back seat technically fits three people, but whoever ends up in the middle won’t have much room for their feet. At least there’s plenty of space in the trunk for your stuff.
As far as access, reviewers were not a fan of the old-school flap-style outside door handles. “Not only do they have less leverage than the more-modern pull-handle design found on almost every other car, but it is hard to get a good finger grip on the latch's shallow profile,” according to Consumer Reports.
The exit and entry to the Dodge Charger is also more difficult than other sedans. Because of the low-slung styling, you’re going to have to duck to get in, especially if you’re sitting in the back.
Reviewers wished the “seat heaters had a dedicated button, rather than being controlled via the screen, but the system immediately displays those buttons on start-up when you'd want them most,” notes Consumer Reports.
UConnect is Chrysler’s infotainment system, but the best system is the Uconnect 8.4 –only available on higher-end trims. The advanced program is impeccably designed and very user-friendly.
The 2022 Dodge Charger received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA
. Car and Driver was impressed with their host of driver assistance technologies like automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. However, these systems don’t come standard on base models. Drivers will also have to pay extra for lane departure warning with assistance, and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning.
The 2022 Dodge Charger missed the mark on fuel economy
The new Charger’s fuel economy was rated 2 out of 5 by testers at Consumer Reports. The car gets an overall mileage of 20 mpg, with only 13 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. And as far as emissions, the car received a 4 out of 10 for greenhouse gas and a mere 3 out of 10 for its smog rating.
So maybe you should take your friend’s Prius on your wine country road trip, instead of this gas guzzler. But if you are leaning toward purchasing this four-door sedan, make sure your car insurance is the best fit for your new ride.
Switching car insurance can be intimidating, but with the Jerry
app, users save an average of $887 dollars a year. Jerry does all the hard work for you and they even help cancel your old policy once you’ve made your pick. 
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