Dodge's Hard Charger

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With the Charger as prime example, rough and tough also seems to be the banner motif at Dodge these days. The brand's model-naming convention exhibits such a surplus of machismo, with the Charger, Caliber, Magnum, Nitro, Challenger, and Ram, you'd think the marketing team at Dodge was headed by a mixed group of WWF wrestlers and ex-Marines.

Behind The Wheel Still, backing up the body and marketing bravado is a good deal of heft under the hood. The 5.7 liter HEMI V8 was named one of Ward's 10 Best Engines this year, and for good reason. The 350-horsepower modern incarnation of the classic engines, which featured hemispherical combustion chambers, is like the Charger itself—more of a throwback to the past than an outright emulation.

The Charger is a platform sibling to the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum (see BusinessWeek.com, 12/28/05, "2005 Dodge Magnum SXT"). All three vehicles share DNA with the last generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a first hint at the refined road manners and first-class handling lurking beneath the exterior's roughneck demeanor.

An exceptionally smooth, quiet ride is a virtue you wouldn't necessarily expect from so fierce-looking a car equipped with so robust a powertrain. But there it is, legitimizing the Charger as an everyday, family driver. Though the sedan is heavy, it handles well. Powering over hills, through turns, and into passing maneuvers was a cinch given all the power.

The copious options list does much to make the cabin an enjoyable place to be, but that doesn't help brighten up the Charger's rather dour interior. Even with a generous helping of low-quality plastics, other cars in the segment manage to liven up their interiors and avoid "Tupperware syndrome." The glow of the black-on-white dials is pleasant, but low-key. Overall, everything feels sturdy; nothing offends, but nothing much excites either.

The GPS navigation system works well, though other manufacturers offer easier-to-use touch-screen models for a similar price. The satellite-equipped radio does an excellent job. Wheel-mounted stereo controls and a secondary information display by the dials all feel well-thought-out for the price point. I was also surprised to find the excellent and sprightly Mercedes-Benz cruise-control arm, reproduced exactly as it is in cars costing twice as much.

Buy It or Bag It? In the end, while the Charger's muscle styling may attract boomer buyers, the car has to be judged on its merits as a mainstream sedan. Luckily, Dodge has managed to take the best of the muscle mystique—power, attitude, and style—and apply them to a comfortable, easy-to-drive sedan.

Despite the voluminous engine, the Charger still manages to get between 17 and 25 mpg. In mixed highway and city driving, I found my test mule tipping toward the higher end of that range. Crash test ratings are all impressive, as well, but only with the side-impact air bags, so expect to pay up the extra $440.

If you must have a true-blue pony car, I don't suggest buying the Charger. Look instead to the wonderful Ford Mustang or wait for the upcoming Dodge Challenger. If, however, you want a fast sedan that trades in brown-wrapper-politically-correct styling for a lot of power, look no further. Whether you remember the original days of muscle or not, you're unlikely to regret it.

To find out more about the Dodge Charger, click here for the slide show

Matt Vella is a reporter for BusinessWeek.com in New York.