2018 Dodge Charger Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
What's New for 2018?
New for the 2018 Dodge Charger is a standard rearview camera and parking sensors on every trim level. Also, Dodge has renamed some of the trims. The AWD models are now known as GT, and the base trim is now called the SXT. This model now features a massive 7-inch touchscreen display. A new wheel, brake caliper finishes, and grille design were all added to the SRT Hellcat models.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Dodge Charger – The Pros
1. Plenty of Powerful Engine Options
Regardless of which trim you opt for, you will be getting a powerful engine. The base trim comes with a 3.6-L V6 engine capable of generating 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This can be bumped to 300 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque with the Super Track Pak on the SXT Plus. The next engine up is the R/T's 5.7-L V8 engine, which generates 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. The R/T Scat Pak includes a 6.4-L V8 engine capable of getting 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. If that's not enough power, you can get the line-topping SRT Hellcat, which has a V8 supercharged engine capable of getting a whopping 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.
2. A Great Touchscreen Interface
The base touchscreen interface is a generous 7-inch screen, which isn't always found on base trims. Upper trim levels feature an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Whichever screen you get, it works extremely well and is not overly-sensitive.
3. A Lot of Room For Customization
The 2018 Dodge Charger has a huge list of customization options. It is easy to get lost in the myriad of personalization options, but you will be able to craft the car that is just right for your diverse needs.
4. Speedy Acceleration
The 2018 Dodge Charger is known for its speed. The 6.4-L V8 engine gets from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, while the Hellcat makes it from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. Those who feel the need for speed won't mind the Hellcat's hefty price tag.
5. Superb Braking
Braking feels solid and secure no matter which trim you are driving on. In fact, the Charger has an incredible emergency stop distance of 111 feet when going from 60 to 0 mph. Overall, the brakes are very engaging and inspire driver confidence.
6. User-Friendly
This vehicle is surprisingly user-friendly. For placing so much emphasis on power, Dodge gives drivers the peace of mind they need when settling into a brand-new car. All controls and knobs are well-labeled and placed in easy-to-reach locations for the driver.
7. Plenty of Legroom
Although headroom is hindered in the rear by the sloping roofline, there is plenty of legroom to be found throughout the vehicle. Longer-legged passengers won't have to scrunch themselves into uncomfortable positions anywhere in the vehicle.
8. A Good Amount of Cargo Space
While the 2018 Dodge Charger doesn't have as much cargo space as some of its competitors, it can be maximized by folding the 60/40 rear split seats down. They go down easily and give more than enough leeway for storing bulky items.
9. The BeatsAudio System
The 10-speaker BeatsAudio system sits in the middle of the speaker systems available on the Charger. It is the best buy for the price and provides crisp sound throughout the vehicle.
10. Plenty of Driver Aids
The 2018 Dodge Charger comes with a wide array of driver aids, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The SRT 392 and Hellcat come with blind spot monitoring and a rear cross-traffic alert system.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Dodge Charger – The Cons
1. Lacks Interior Space
Due to its downward-sloping roofline, passengers in the rear do not have much head and shoulder space. While this isn't a huge deal-breaker, there are competitors out there that offer more interior space.
2. Lacking Visibility
A bigger drawback than interior space is the fact that the 2018 Dodge Charger has massive roof pillars that obscure visibility to a significant degree. Fortunately, the standard rearview camera and optional blind spot monitoring are there to assist with visuals.
3. A Gas-Guzzling V8 Engine
The V8 engine will break you at the fuel pump, as it guzzles gas more than quite a few of the Charger's competitors. This boosts the overall cost of owning a Charger, which might turn away some drivers.
4. A Less-Refined Interior
Dodge makes no pretensions about the Charger's interior being super-snazzy. Unfortunately, this comes at the expensive of the interior looking kind of cheap. There is also a ton of road and engine noise, and the overall ride quality is lacking.
How it stacks up to the competition:
2018 Dodge Charger vs. 2018 Ford Taurus
The 2018 Ford Taurus is competitively priced and offers a ton of interior comfort. The trunk is massive, and AWD is available. However, you don't get the high-powered engine options you get with the Charger, and the Taurus is sluggish around turns. Also, the interior lacks a spacious feel to it.
2018 Dodge Charger vs. 2018 Chrysler 300
Another top contender for this model year is the 2018 Chrysler 300. This vehicle runs a bit pricey and only has a V8 engine on two trims. It does, however, have a nice and quiet cabin, and the V8 puts out a strong performance. The touchscreen infotainment system is incredibly easy-to-use.
Conclusion
Overall, the 2018 Dodge Charger offers the maximum amount of sporty power that you will find in a modestly-priced sedan. While these cars are gas-guzzlers and tend to have issues with rear visibility, they can be extremely fun to drive and have a massive list of standard and optional features that keeps attracting buyers year after year. This all-American rough-and-tumble sedan is every speed demon's dream, and it has a lot of personality that makes it fun to take out on the highway and get up to speed.
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