The Dodge Charger: A Modern Muscle Car with Classic Power
I’ve lost count of how many times a Dodge Charger cold start has rattled my coffee mug. The 2023 model is the last of its line, the final V8 saloon that can wake a sleepy cul-de-sac and make your spine grin. I spent a long weekend with a Scat Pack Widebody, then swapped into a Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak for a night run. Two very different moods, one big theme: the Charger still does muscle-car theater better than just about anything, yet it’s a four-door you can actually live with. Well, mostly—more on that in a minute.
Engines, noise, speed: where the Dodge Charger still hits hardest
What struck me on rough back roads was how the Charger never stops feeling mechanical—in a good, old-school way. You’ve got genuine heft in the steering, a thick-rim wheel, and that long-hood swagger. Choose your flavor:
- SXT/GT (3.6L V6): 292–300 hp and 260–264 lb-ft, with available AWD on V6 models. Quiet enough to hear your kids arguing in the back. Most days that’s a feature, not a bug.
- R/T (5.7L HEMI V8): 370 hp, 395 lb-ft. The gateway V8 with the right rumble for school runs and stoplight shenanigans.
- Scat Pack (6.4L HEMI V8): 485 hp, 475 lb-ft. The sweet spot. 0–60 in the low fours, brakes and chassis that actually keep up, and that deep-chested soundtrack you can feel through the seat.
- Hellcat Redeye (6.2L supercharged HEMI V8): 797 hp and 707 lb-ft—up to 807 hp with the Jailbreak setup. It’s bonkers. Think sub-3.6-second 0–60s and “nearly 200 mph” top speeds depending on spec. It’ll light the traction control like a Christmas tree if you’re greedy with your right foot.
Higher-performance Chargers use adaptive Bilstein dampers that smartly button down body motions without turning the ride into penance. Not air suspension—just well-tuned, old-fashioned hardware doing excellent work. On a patchy freeway, the Widebody Scat Pack I drove felt planted but not punishing, like wearing steel-toe slippers.
Living with the Dodge Charger: the practical muscle car
Four full doors. A big trunk. Real rear legroom. I’ve done airport runs, Ikea runs, and one slightly chaotic car-seat install in these things over the years. No drama. The cabin still runs Uconnect on an easy, crisp 8.4-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—quick to respond, intuitive, and mercifully free of gimmicks. Safety tech like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, and forward-collision warning is available and unobtrusive.
Fuel economy? If you care, the V6 can push about 30 mpg highway in the real world with a light foot. The 6.4L Scat Pack will do mid-20s highway if you behave (you won’t), while Hellcat life is more “smiles per gallon” than anything you’d submit to an accountant.
Dodge Charger pricing and trims: what to budget
Figure a base SXT at around the mid-$30Ks, with well-equipped GT AWDs hovering a bit higher. R/Ts push into the low-to-mid $40Ks, Scat Packs land in the $50Ks, and Hellcats can crest $70K (and beyond) depending on options and those delicious Jailbreak choices. The 2023 cars, being the final model year of this generation, will likely hold value better than you’d expect for a big American sedan—especially limited “Last Call” variants.
Feature highlights that stood out
- Classic long-hood, short-deck proportions—still looks menacing in a rear-view mirror
- Available AWD on V6 trims for snowy climates
- Adaptive dampers on performance models keep it composed on real roads
- Uconnect infotainment remains one of the easiest to live with
- Roomy back seat and proper trunk—hello, road trips
Want to tidy up the interior? Personalized, premium mats from AutoWin are a quick upgrade that make the cabin feel more special without messing with the Charger’s brawler vibe.
Dodge Charger vs. the usual suspects
I lined the Charger up in my head with the typical cross-shop crew. Some are two-door coupes, sure, but buyers compare them anyway. Here’s the quick sketch:
| Model | Body style | Power range | 0–60 mph (approx.) | What it’s best at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger (2023) | Full-size 4-door sedan | 292–807 hp | ~6.5s (V6) to ~3.5s (Hellcat) | Space, theater, usable daily muscle |
| Ford Mustang | 2-door coupe/convertible | 315–760 hp | ~5.5s to ~3.5s | Track composure, modern cabin tech |
| Chevrolet Camaro | 2-door coupe/convertible | 335–650 hp | ~5.2s to ~3.5s | Chassis balance, driver feel |
| Kia Stinger (discontinued) | 4-door liftback | 300–368 hp | ~5.0s | Value, refinement, cargo versatility |
Quirks, flaws, and the stuff I’d tell a friend
- The driving position is on the high side. I’d like the seat to drop another half inch for a more hunkered feel.
- Widebody on narrow streets? You’ll learn to scan for curbs like a hawk guarding a steak.
- Interior materials are durable but not luxe. This is muscle, not marble.
- V8s love fuel. Every Hellcat pull comes with a receipt.
Final word: why the Dodge Charger still matters
The 2023 Dodge Charger is the last great American four-door muscle car as we know it—loud, charismatic, and gloriously excessive when you want it to be, with enough comfort and space to make school runs and weekend escapes feel easy. I wasn’t sure the character would still charm me after all these years, but the minute that supercharged whine spooled up on a late-night on-ramp, I remembered: this car makes every drive feel like an event. If you’ve ever wanted one, now’s the time.
FAQ: Dodge Charger (2023)
How much is a Dodge Charger?
Expect a base SXT in the mid-$30Ks, Scat Packs in the $50Ks, and Hellcats starting in the $70Ks and climbing with options.
Which Dodge Charger trim is the best daily driver?
The GT AWD is a winter hero, while the Scat Pack is the enthusiast’s sweet spot—big power, real brakes, and a chassis that can handle it.
Does the Dodge Charger offer AWD?
Yes, on V6 models (SXT/GT). All V8 Chargers are rear-wheel drive.
What’s the horsepower on a Dodge Charger?
Anywhere from 292–300 hp (V6) to 370 hp (R/T), 485 hp (Scat Pack), and 797–807 hp (Hellcat Redeye/Jailbreak).
Is the 2023 Dodge Charger the last one?
It’s the final model year for this generation and the last V8-powered Charger sedan—hence the “Last Call” send-off models.
