TheCarConnection.com has read a wide range of reviews that evaluate the 2010 Dodge Charger, then handpicked highlights for this conclusive full review. TheCarConnection.com’s editors have also driven several versions of the Dodge Charger, including the HEMI-powered Dodge Charger SRT8, to provide you with a definitive Bottom Line opinion of this reinvented muscle car.
Likes
Decent handling
Throaty V-8
Muscle-car panache
Intuitive layout for the controls
Dislikes
Poor fuel economy
Vague steering feel
Firm ride
Lack of manual transmission across range
The latest incarnation of the Charger is entering its fourth year of production, though lack of sales is not something Dodge is worried about. This can be attributed to its unique styling, which still looks fresh after all these years. The 2010 Dodge Charger has hardly changed, maintaining its sleek profile, which blends modern sedan styling accents with a traditional muscle-car appearance.
The Dodge Charger is offered with a wide range of engines and trim levels, and it appeals to a very wide audience. The base engine in this four-door sedan is a 2.7-liter, 178-horsepower V-6 that moves the SE model, while a 3.5-liter, 250-horsepower V-6 is optional for the SE and standard on the SXT. For those who are a little more performance minded, the Dodge Charger R/T comes with a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 that pumps out 368 horsepower and can rocket the car from 0-60 mph in just six seconds. Last year saw the introduction of variable valve timing and a revised optional all-wheel-drive system for the Charger R/T that helps boost fuel economy. As the ultimate edition of the Dodge Charger, the SRT8 is offered with a pavement-pounding 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 that produces 425 horsepower. Engineered by Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) group, the STR8 gets to 60 mph in about five seconds, while still being complacent enough to be used as a daily driver. Last year, Dodge boosted the fuel economy of the model.
Against the decades-old heritage of American muscle cars, the Dodge Charger is surprisingly good at going around corners—just one of the many points it has to boast about. It sits on top of a chassis that was developed when Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz were still together, which serves the Charger well, offering good handling and acceleration. The Dodge Charger SRT8, for example, has a sub-14-second quarter-mile time and a top speed in excess of 150 mph. Performance is adequate with even the base V-6 engine, though it’s really not that much more fuel-efficient than the bigger V-8s.
Anti-lock disc brakes and stability control are standard on all Chargers except for the base SE, which has them as options. Side curtain airbags have been made standard for 2010, but front-seat side airbags are no longer available for 2010. The Charger has a mix of good and bad crash-test ratings; it’s been rated “good” for frontal impact but only “moderate” for side impact from the IIHS. However, the federal government gives it five stars in all frontal and side tests.
The 2010 Dodge Charger is equipped decently but not lavishly. Standard features include air conditioning, a tilt/telescoping steering column, and a sound system with CD player and auxiliary iPod jack. The Dodge Charger SE also gets standard aluminum wheels and upgraded interior accents. Standard LED lighting for the cup holders provide extra illumination inside the cabin, while the SXT gets optional LED illuminated door map pockets (these pockets are standard on the Charger R/T).
Among the available features offered by the Dodge Charger lineup are heated seats, the MyGIG hard-drive entertainment package, and the superb Sirius Backseat TV system that brings live satellite television into the Charger.
The Bottom Line: The 2010 Dodge Charger is starting to show its age against many of its rivals, but its muscle-car appeal and low pricing will never get old.
Other Choices
If you’re interested in the 2010 Dodge Charger, also consider:
- Ford Taurus
- Hyundai Genesis
- Nissan Maxima
- Chevrolet Impala
Reason Why:
The 2010 Dodge Charger doesn’t have any direct competition from its fellow domestic brands, but it’s hard to look past some foreign rivals like the Hyundai Genesis. If rear-wheel drive is not a must, the Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Impala are both worthy rivals, though their performance is a little blander than the muscle-car-inspired Charger. The Taurus SHO is a completely different beast thanks to its powerful EcoBoost V-6 engine and all-wheel-drive layout, but it’s rather expensive when compared to the Charger. The Hyundai Genesis is probably the closest in terms of overall performance, especially in V-8 guise, but its luxury overtones and slightly higher price put it into another league. The Nissan Maxima offers decent performance for a V-6 sedan, and its styling, inside and out, is eye-catching and sporty.
Buying Tip:
The Charger is one of Dodge’s most popular models, so discounts are hard to come by. However, demand for thirsty V-8s has dropped due to high fuel prices, so look for some bargains on HEMI-powered models.
This 2010 Dodge Charger Review originally appeared at TheCarConnection.com where you can see more photos and news on the Dodge Charger
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