2019 Dodge Charger Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

During the 1960s, the Dodge Charger was one of the most popular muscle cars on the street. Although the Charger has morphed into a full-size sedan, it still has the ability to deliver a heart-stopping performance. Let’s take a closer look at what the 2019 Dodge Charger brings to the table.

What’s New for 2019?

For the 2019 model year, the supercharged Hellcat model benefits from some extra performance goodies. Some versions of the 2019 Dodge Charger also come equipped with a new grille that features twin air inlets. A few new paint colors arrive as well.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Dodge Charger – The Pros

1. Efficient V6 Engine

For good reason, a lot of drivers will stick with the Charger’s standard Pentastar V6 engine. Although it doesn’t deliver the excitement of a V8 engine, it still has enough kick for most people. Dodge tuned it to develop a healthy 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. You’ll have no problems overtaking slow-moving vehicles on the highway. In regard to fuel economy, expect the V6-powered Charger to return up to 30 mpg on the highway.

2. Exciting V-8 Engines

If you desire more excitement on your daily commute, step up to one of the Charger’s Hemi V8 engines. The 5.7-liter version pushes out 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, an optional Scat Pack swaps out the 5.7-liter engine for a larger 6.4-liter variant. It develops a thrilling 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission helps you to get up to speed quickly. Models equipped with the Scat Pack can hit 60 mph in around 4.3 seconds.

3. Beastly Hellcat Model

The 2019 Dodge Charger Hellcat is designed to deliver constant thrills. Its supercharged Hemi engine churns out an intoxicating 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. A tested 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds puts the Charger Hellcat among the quickest four-door cars in the world. To ensure the best possible handling, Dodge equips the Hellcat model with an adaptive dampening suspension. Drivers can also take advantage of the Hellcat’s new After-Run Chiller, which helps cool the supercharger.

4. Available All-Wheel Drive

Unlike other full-size sedans like the Chevrolet Impala and the Toyota Avalon, the 2019 Dodge Charger offers all-wheel drive. This is a huge benefit for the folks who need to travel on snow-packed roads. It provides far better traction than the standard RWD system. Fortunately, the added weight of the AWD system does not drastically reduce fuel economy. When driving in dry weather, an axle-disconnect feature cuts power to the front wheels to save gas.

5. Great for Families

The full-size 2019 Dodge Charger is a great car for families. Everyone will have enough space to stretch their legs. When you decide to take an out-of-town road trip, your crew can relax throughout the day. You’ll be able to experience the performance of a muscle car without sacrificing any comfort. While passengers sitting in the front can enjoy heated and ventilated seats, folks riding in the back can experience the warmth of heated seats.

6. Distinctive Styling

Over the years, the Charger has become one of the most recognizable cars on the road. While the base Charger is stylish, expect the higher trim levels to attract more attention from onlookers. Featuring a performance hood with heat extractors and special graphics, the Daytona model has a sinister look. Meanwhile, available Brass Monkey wheels enable the Charger to stand further out from the crowd. Some of the head-turning paint colors include IndiGo Blue, Plum Crazy, and Go Mango.

7. A Safe Car

You can trust the 2019 Dodge Charger to provide great crash protection. Last year, it received a NHTSA five-star overall safety rating. This means you’ll be able to haul your family around with an extra peace of mind. You can also take advantage of the Charger’s optional driver-assist technologies. While forward collision warning helps you to brake for obstacles, blind-spot monitoring makes the task of changing lanes less frightening. Adaptive cruise control is offered as well.

8. Loaded Base Model

If you don’t want to spend any extra money, the base Charger SXT should keep you happy. It comes loaded with a number of highly desired features. Featuring a 7.0-inch touch screen with smartphone integration, Dodge’s Uconnect infotainment system is noted for its easy-to-use design. Meanwhile, twin USB ports enable you to keep your phone and other electronic devices fully charged. A backup camera, satellite radio, and key-less entry also come standard.

9. Great Sounding Audio Systems

Most people agree that the standard six-speaker audio system offers decent sound quality. However, true music fanatics should consider stepping up to one of the Charger’s premium audio systems. If you love bass-heavy music, the 10-speaker BeatsAudio system will make your day a lot more entertaining. However, you can experience enhanced sound quality by upgrading to the Harman Kardon system. It’s designed with a total of 19 high-clarity speakers.

10. 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot

Like so many of today’s other drivers, you probably spend a lot of time on the web. Available as an option on the base model, the Charger’s Wi-Fi hot spot will give you around-the-clock access to the Internet. Whether you need to update your Facebook or respond to an important email, this feature will enable you to do so without wasting your phone’s valuable data. Most importantly, your entire family can use the hot spot.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Dodge Charger – The Cons

1. A Manual Transmission Is Not Offered

There’s no denying the fact that the 2019 Dodge Charger is a fun car. However, some driving enthusiasts will miss the excitement of a traditional manual gearbox. Although the Charger’s automatic gearbox is smooth and responsive, it can’t match the sensational of shifting your own gears. Drivers who desire a manual transmission should check out smaller sedans such as the Kia Stinger and the BMW 3 Series.

2. Rather Low Predicted Reliability Rating

The 2019 Dodge Charger offers mediocre reliability. Don’t expect it to match the dependability of a Lexus sedan. This could be a factor for the drivers who’re looking to keep their car on a long-term basis. After the Charger’s original warranty expires, you’ll need to cover the cost of any repairs. While sedans like the 2019 Genesis G90 are protected by a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the Charger’s powertrain warranty only provides 60,000 miles of coverage.

3. Heavy Sedan

For its size, the 2019 Dodge Charger handles very well. Nevertheless, it does weigh more than 4,000 pounds. Because of the Charger’s extra pounds, don’t look for it to handle as well as a smaller sedan. When you are hustling around curves at high speeds, you will feel the Charger’s additional heft. It doesn’t have the athleticism of a genuine sports car.

4. Some V8 Models Guzzle Fuel in the City

On the highway, the V8-powered Charger can return a decent 25 mpg. However, driving in the city lowers the sedan’s fuel economy to only 15 mpg. Gas mileage for the mighty Charger Hellcat is even worse. Furthermore, some models require the extra expense of premium fuel.

5. Limited Outward Visibility

The Charger’s stylish design does sacrifice some visibility. Thick roof pillars and a small rear window can impede the driver’s field of vision. To counter this issue, it’s a good idea to opt for the Charger’s blind-spot monitoring system.

How Does It Stack Up to the Competition?

The 2019 Chevrolet Impala is a direct competitor to the 2019 Dodge Charger. While the Impala is spacious and comfortable, it doesn’t deliver as much driving fun. Some car shoppers will also be considering the 2019 Toyota Avalon, which has a reputation for being extremely reliable. A close match for the Charger is the all-new Kia Stinger. Its sleek styling and sporty performance will intrigue a lot of drivers.

Conclusion

While the 2019 Dodge Charger may not excel in every category, it remains a safe and comfy family vehicle. A powerful engine lineup sweetens the deal. There are several Charger models that deliver an above-average level of performance. This four-door muscle car’s styling is also a big attraction.