New Car Review of the 2006 Dodge Charger Mid-Size Sedan

Base MSRP Range: $22,320 - $35,320

Base Invoice Range: $20,758 - $32,893

MSRP As Tested: Not available.

Versions: SE, R/T, SRT8

Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Sedan

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive.

Standard Engine: 3.5-liter, Single Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6, 250 -horsepower at 6400 rpm and 250 lb-ft torque at 3800 rpm.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 19/27.

Optional Engine: 5.7-liter, Overhead Valve, 32-valves, V-8, 340 - horsepower at 5000 rpm and 390 lb-ft torque at 4000 rpm.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 17/25.

Optional Engine: 6.1-liter, Overhead Valve, 32-valves, V-8, 425 - horsepower at 6000 rpm and 420 lb-ft torque at 4800 rpm.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 14/20.

Transmission: Four-speed automatic, Five-speed automatic.

Standard Safety Features: Dual front airbags, ">Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, Brake assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), All-speed Traction Control System (TCS) Tire-pressure monitor, Emergency inside trunk release.

Competition: Buick LaCrosse, Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, Ford Five Hundred, Honda Accord, Mercury Montego, Nissan Altima, Toyota Avalon.

The 2006 Dodge Charger - here is Daimler Chrysler's chance to put a new spin on a piece of American history, and they practically steal the back window off of Ford's redesigned Mustang. We don't want to use the term "copy-cat," but - don't get us wrong - other than the Pony-like back half, the 2006 Dodge Charger is exactly what it sounds like: a hard-charging, speed-loving, fuel-eating hedonistic blast from the past. Dodge's infamous Dukes of Hazzard staple has definitely grown up, yet still maintains what Dodge calls a "sinister sneer" in the front end. It's like a bulldog on steroids, ready to rip the tailpipe off inferior vehicles that have the nerve to call themselves automobiles.

The Charger is American muscle at its finest. Let's just say the Dukes would pull more than a few hair-brained schemes to get their hands on one of these beauties. We're betting they'd go for the SRT8, the 425-horsepower V-8 beast that's so thirsty it requires a $2,100 gas-guzzler tax. Across California, hippies heave a collective shudder. In the grand tradition of Dodge, the new Charger is rear-wheel-drive, unlike its station wagon sibling, the Magnum (which has an all-wheel-drive option).

SAFETY

Safety features abound on this vehicle, almost all of which are standard on every model (with the exception of optional side-curtain airbags for all outboard occupants). The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), four-wheel disc brakes and Brake Assist work together to sense panic braking and help apply the maximum force to the brakes to shorten stopping distances without locking up the wheels. The anti-skid system assists here, too, and all of this is a part of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), designed to help the driver stay the course in any type of weather.

Inside the car, you'll find a helpful tire pressure monitor that lets the driver know when low tire pressure is robbing you of good gas mileage. A Safety Belt reminder light is also standard, as are safety belt pretensioners and Constant Force Retractors (CFR). The CFR balances and distributes the load pressed upon the passenger in the event of a collision, and helps to reduce injuries related to safety belts by mechanically gauging the collision's severity and releasing the tension accordingly.

There are also front passenger and driver airbags, which are multi-staged. This means that the airbags will deploy at varied levels of power, depending on the severity of the accident. And the driver will be safer, too, with the energy-absorbing steering column. This two-part mechanism collapses on itself (not the driver) in the event of a collision.

All this works in conjunction with the Occupant Classification System (OCS), which gauges by weight whether or not there's someone in the front passenger seat and deploys airbags as appropriate. But if all else fails and you still get in a collision, you'll be comforted knowing Charger has Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS). EARS automatically turns on the interior lights and unlocks the doors after the airbags deploy, making it easier for you to get out and easier for paramedics to locate your vehicle.

Even if you're not in an emergency situation, you still want to know your kids are safe, just in case. Knowing this, Dodge installed a LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), which keeps child seats in place and prevents shifting that could cause serious injuries. And in case your kids think it's funny to lock their younger siblings in the trunk, there's a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release inside.

Oh, and thieves, beware: the Charger comes standard with a theft-deterrent system and a panic button on the keyless entry system.

PERFORMANCE

Safety meets performance in the Charger's wheelbase, which has been lengthened to improve stability, traction and handling. That makes for a more steady, balanced ride.

The 2006 Charger comes in three different models - the SE (base model), the R/T, and the beefy SRT8, which adds 200 horses over the SE.

The basic Charger -- which is hardly "basic" -- with a Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) 3.5-liter V-6 engine that boasts 250 horsepower (at 6,400 RPM) and 250 lb-ft of torque (at 3,800 RPM). Like the more expensive models, the SE's got a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capabilities, which comes from the AutoStick system. You'll get an average of 19 miles to the gallon in the city, and 27 on the highway, with the SE.

For about $7,000 more, the R/T model boosts you to a 5.7-liter V-8 engine, which gives you 340 ponies (at 5,000 RPM) and 390 ft-lb of torque at 4,000 RPM. You'll get significantly worse fuel economy, at 17 MPG in the city and 25 on the highway.

Now comes the big daddy, the SRT8. With a retail of around $36,000, it's not the cheapest thing out there, but when you push the throttle, you feel like you're sitting behind the wheel of a much more expensive vehicle. The 420 ft-lb of torque throws your head back just like the Gravitron at the county fair, and the 425 horsepower 6.1-liter V8 HEMI engine will make the rest of the cars on the road seem like a flock of Ford Festivas. Of course, those same Festivas are going to get about three times better fuel efficiency than the SRT8, which gets just 14 MPG in the city and 20 on the highway. And that's being generous.

The coolest thing about the V-8 engine is that it turns off four of its eight cylinders when cruising. How does this work? Simple - when you're on the freeway going, say, 65 miles an hour, you've got momentum and therefore need less energy from the engine to keep the car moving. This feature is a great money saver (less cylinders means less gas). This is especially true in the SRT8, which, again, is a gas guzzler.

We drove the SE (upgraded to the SXT package), and found the only thing it lacked was a sunroof (and perhaps a little more head room for those over 6 feet tall, though we're well under that). We would prefer the 18-inch wheels, but it's not a necessity.

RIDE/ HANDLING

The best thing about the Charger is its similarity to the Chrysler 300 in ride and handling. The performance characteristics of Charger and the near-luxury sedan are very much alike, but the Charger is much cheaper and, if you ask this writer, much sexier.

You'll ride lower in this new Charger than in previous models, which helps contribute to a smoother ride. However, despite the fact that it feels stable at highway speeds, you can hear the wind rush and can feel that yucky floating sensation over bumps. Add the Daytona package and that extra 10 horsepower doesn't do much more than make the car louder - a possible irritation on longer trips, unless you're a young adult male. But then, the Daytona version was designed for performance, not long-distance travel (hence the name of the package).

The "touring" suspension - Short-and Long-Arm (SLA) multilink in the front and five-link independent in the rear - comes with 17-inch wheels and is a bit tighter than similar vehicles. All HEMI models will have a stiffer suspension and 18-inch wheels. The SRT8 goes to the extreme, with suspension and Nivomat self-leveling shock absorbers so stiff that it might bother the everyday driver.

The All-Speed Traction Control System (TCS) enhances mobility and prevents wheel slip when the driver is accelerating on slippery surfaces such as icy roads or rain puddles. This is a great feature - it works when it's needed and doesn't hinder your performance when it isn't needed.

When looking at this aspect of the car, remember the target audience, and recall that this is supposed to be a performance car. If you're looking for something quieter (or more luxurious), go for that Chrysler 300.

INTERIOR

This Charger takes the typical Dodge interior a step further, refining the clean lines and adding lots of goodies without making things look cluttered. A few of the controls are a little too far down, making them difficult to access if you're driving. The instrument panel, with dials rimmed in silver accent, is adequate, but the steering wheel does partially obstruct your view of it.

Air conditioning, power steering, power windows, mirrors and locks all come standard, as does the AM/FM/CD player. A digital clock and temperature display are convenient, and the cruise control, map lights and rear defogger are must-haves that are easy to operate.

The seats are light or dark grey cloth (leather seating and leather-wrapped shift knob are standard in the R/T and SRT8) and are comfortable. However, unless you get the sport bucket seats, you and your passengers will slide around in the seat quite a bit. The R/T model upgrades the SE's four-speaker sound system to a Boston Acoustics.

EXTERIOR

Available in seven color choices, the Charger's exterior gives you the ability to personalize all that brawn. Door handles and optional spoiler are painted the same color as the body for a streamline look. The grille is delightfully mean-looking, as if the hood is an upper lip curled back to reveal a mouthful of deadly bling. Its sizeable haunches scream "dare you to race me." Again, that back window is far too much like the new Mustang for this writer, but it's orrected (as much as it could be) by the much-needed optional rear spoiler. Without that spoiler, the back half risks looking a little too much like the sedan that the Charger really is.

CONCLUSION

All in all, this is one fantastic bit of muscular dèjá vu. Watch out for "the good ol' boys" to come tearing through town as this car rapidly becomes as popular as the Mustang - if not more so.

Dodge haters, beware: you might just find yourself checking this thing out like the untouchable hottie down at the local bar. You're not supposed to want it, but man oh man, what you wouldn't give to drive that thing home.

Pros: A real muscle car. Fantastic engines.

Cons: V-E-R-Y thirsty. It's ugly and will look outdated in a flash.

Ratings (1-10)

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More Data

Where Built: Canada

Major Options: Daytona R/T Package, Road/Track Performance Group, Package. SRT Option Group I, SRT Option Group II, SRT8 w/Option Group III SRT Option Group III, Protection Group, Comfort Seating Group, Convenience Group I, Convenience Group II, Electronics Convenience Group, Sound Group II, Cold Weather Group. Curtain side airbags, Navigation system, Power sunroof, Leather upholstery, Power-adjustable pedals, Rear-seat DVD entertainment system, Satellite radio.

Seating: 5

Number of Rows: 2

Length in Inches: 200.1

Warranties: 3 years/36,000 miles Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles Extended powertrain, 5 years/100,000 miles Corrosion protection, 3 years/36,000 miles Free roadside assistance.

Weight in Pounds: 3820 lbs.

Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.

Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.

Towing Capacity in Pounds: 2000 lbs.

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 18.0

Destination Charge: $675