The first thing I noted about the 2009 Dodge Charger was the comfort. Usually I get behind the wheel of a Chrysler product, and I’m instantly in an awkward position. The steering wheel, the seat, the gearshift are all in places that just aren’t optimal.
Yet, when I slid behind the wheel of the Charger, I experienced instant comfort. And I was surprised.
From the seats to the steering wheel position, it all just worked. A lot of that has to do with the tilt/telescoping steering wheel, which is standard at the SE level, and the adjustable pedals, which are standard starting at the SXT level.
From the seats to the steering wheel position, it all just worked. A lot of that has to do with the tilt/telescoping steering wheel, which is standard at the SE level, and the adjustable pedals, which are standard starting at the SXT level.
Base price for the rear-wheel drive Charger SE starts at $25,585 and includes a 2.7-liter, 178-horsepower V-6 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. At this level you also get standard features such as a four-speaker sound system, 17-inch aluminum wheels, tilt/telescoping steering wheel and tire pressure monitoring system.
The SXT is the next Charger trim level and upgrades the engine to 3.5-liter, 250-horsepower V-6 and adds all-speed traction control and electronic stability program and has a base price of $27,200. This level brings additional standards such as uconnect, one year of Sirius satellite radio, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, antilock brakes, heated power side mirrors and power adjustable pedals.
The R/T model starts at $32,910, and adds a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine and five-speed automatic transmission. Other notable upgrades include steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, six Boston Accoustics speakers, leather seats, heated front seats, 18-inch aluminum wheels, dual rear exhaust and dual-zone temperature control.
The top-of-the-line SRT 8 model has the 6.1-liter Hemi engine that delivers 425 horsepower and adds premium features such as a 276-watt amplifier, 20-inch aluminum SRT design wheels, automatic headlights, performance-tuned steering, rear spoiler, high-performance suspension and remote start.
The test vehicle was a Charger SXT with all-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic transmission, which has a base price of $30,540. However, the tester added the up-level H package, which among other things adds leather seats. It also takes the price up to $33,015.
The 3.5-liter engine in the Charger SXT test vehicle was actually really nice. It delivered 250 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. This was just the right amount of power for the 3,800-pound vehicle. It had really nice pick up from a stop and had just the right amount of oomph for passing maneuvers.
+ 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic Press Release
+ 2010 Dodge Ram 3500/4500/5500 Heavy-Duty Pickup Truck Debut
+ 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty Pickup Truck for Chicago Debut
+ 2010 Ford Taurus SHO Official Debut at Chicago 2009
+ 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Tough Truck of Chicago 2009
+ 2009 Chicago Auto Show: Scion tC Release Series 5.0
+ 2009 Detroit Live: Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
The Charger is actually a pretty handsome vehicle. The forward slanting grille and strong masculine lines give an aggressive appearance. And, as a large sedan, the Charger works really well. There’s plenty of room in the trunk and plenty of space in the back seat. Yet it’s still relatively light on its feet. The turning radius is good, and it has a decent ability to fit in tight spaces. All pluses in the city of Chicago.
The ride and handling for such a large vehicle was also surprising. It was nimble on city streets and parking lots and aggressive on the highway.
Of course, with a name like Charger, a large sedan isn’t quite what you’d expect. This modern interpretation is a far cry from the “The General Lee,” a 1969 Charger, featured on the “Dukes of Hazzard” in the early 1980s. Though I wasn’t really around when the original Charger existed, I got an earful from those who were. They hated that the esteemed name was on a family (cough) sedan. Those of us in the younger generation just like how it looks and that it drives really well.
The one downer to the test vehicle was the interior quality. I was pretty late in the game to get behind the wheel of this particular test vehicle, but still. The car had less than 10,000 miles on it, and it looked like it had already been run through the ringer. The leather seats looked like they had seen better days, displaying a series of scuff marks. And the control panel on the center stack was just a bit shabby. If this is what you get after less than a year, I hate to see the long-term effects.
As it stands, the Charger is a nice, large sedan. I’d probably skip the base SE level and go straight for the SXT trim because that extra 72 horsepower is well worth the $2,000 added to the price tag. I like the all-wheel drive option, and might head there as well for the $30,000 price tag. However, I’d stop there. The leather seats didn’t seem terribly durable (though I’m a huge fan of the heated front seats), and the extra horsepower of the Hemi engines seems like it would be lost on a family sedan. If I were going for Hemi chic, I’d be looking at the hot new Dodge Challenger, not the Charger.
Gallery: 2009 Dodge Charger SXT
No comments:
Post a Comment