2007 Dodge Charger Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Fans of “The Dukes of Hazzard” and “Bullitt” have fond memories of the Dodge Chargers of the late 1960s. But those long, low, and lean coupes had two doors, not the four found on the 2007 Dodge Charger.
One year after Dodge reintroduced the legendary Charger nameplate on a family-sized four-door sedan, the instantly popular new car continues to line Chrysler’s coffers. Four trim levels are available: the Dodge Charger SE, SXT, R/T, and SRT8. And if you need more cargo space than the 459-litre trunk can provide, be sure to check out the Dodge Magnum, which is the same car with a wagon body style and different front styling.
For the 2007 model year, a lower-priced version of the Charger SE equipped with a smaller 2.7-litre V6 engine joins the lineup. All-wheel drive (AWD) is a new option for all but the high-performance SRT8 version, offered exclusively with rear-wheel-drive (RWD).
Angry, beady headlights flank a bold crosshair grille to give the blunt-faced 2007 Charger an appropriately menacing look. Choose the Charger SRT8, and the car gets a hood scoop and chunky five-spoke wheels. Sharply kinked rear windows and a fast roofline do their best to make this sedan look more like the coupe from which its name is derived. Around back… well, Dodge’s imagination clearly had run its course.
An oversized four-spoke steering wheel and an imposing dashboard greet the driver and front passenger. Aside from four recessed gauges, the Charger’s cabin is plainly outfitted. There’s plenty of hard plastic, too, which helps to make the car more affordable but also gives it an inexpensive look and feel.
For 2007, a new 190-horsepower 2.7-litre V6 engine debuts. This does best on fuel economy, but you should avoid this power plant. The 250-hp 3.5-litre V6 is far more satisfying, delivering a good blend of acceleration and efficiency. Of course, nothing beats the rumble of a Hemi V8, and the Charger’s 340-hp 5.7-litre is exceptionally good. For maximum acceleration and volume, though, get the SRT8 for its 6.1-litre V8 making power specs of 425 hp.
All but the base 2.7-litre V6 have a five-speed AutoStick automatic transmission. The cheaper engine also gets a cheaper four-speed automatic as part of its powertrain. A rear-wheel drive (RWD) drivetrain is standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) an option on every Charger except for the SRT8.
Based on a platform derived from the previous-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210), the Charger is remarkably sophisticated in terms of its ride and handling. It feels like a solid, responsive, classic German sedan, and with either of the V8 engines, it sounds like a classic American muscle car. Comfortable for all-day blasts down the highway, nimble enough to handle heavy traffic in urban areas, and the epitome of cool in the school drop-off lane, the 2007 Dodge Charger is one of the most compelling cars in its class.
A full-size sedan with a long wheelbase, the Dodge Charger carries four adults in comfort, or five by putting three people in the rear seats when necessary. The front seats are especially roomy with plenty of headroom, and you sit up tall in the saddle looking over the long hood.
To make the car accessible to the broadest possible audience, the Charger SE is pretty basic with the base engine and steel wheels, though you can option one up if you have the extra money in the budget. A power driver’s seat and a split rear seat with a folding armrest are among the options available.
Most people will want the Charger SXT. It installs alloy wheels, the bigger V6 engine with the five-speed automatic, a premium sound system, and more. Additional upgrades for the SXT include a leather steering wheel, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation, and a power sunroof.
The Dodge Charger R/T adds leather seats and the all-important Hemi V8 engine as standard equipment. Similar equipment upgrades are offered for the R/T, along with sport-tuned steering, suspension, and exhaust; a set of 20-inch wheels; and a cool Daytona Package with special trim, colours, and exterior decals.
Performance is the point of the Dodge Charger SRT8. In addition to its 6.1-litre V8, it’s got 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, a performance suspension, upgraded brakes, and more. Inside, suede-trimmed performance seats are standard. A Super Bee Package equips the Charger SRT8 with a retro yellow-and-black colour scheme.
Air conditioning and power windows are standard equipment. Other optional features include power-adjustable pedals.
While the Charger is appealing as a family hauler, it falls short when it comes to safety. Sure, antilock brakes, brake assist, traction control, and stability control are aboard to help keep the car under control, but otherwise you’re on your own unless you opt for the side-impact airbags and tire pressure monitor—and this is a car that tempts you to drive it like you stole it.
Should a crash occur, the Charger doesn’t do a good job of protecting its occupants. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says it gets a Good rating for moderate-overlap frontal-impact protection, but side protection without the airbags is Poor. Even with the side airbags, the rating rises only to Marginal, matching the rating for the seats and head restraints.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is more forgiving. In NHTSA testing, the Charger does a good job, earning four-star and five-star ratings in all assessments.
Given its size and the sophistication of its Mercedes-derived underpinnings, the Charger isn’t cheap. Pricing in Canada—which is where the Charger is built, by the way, at Brampton Assembly in Brampton, Ontario—starts at $28,570, while a model equipped with the V8 engine runs nearly 40 grand. Outfit the Charger SRT8 with all of the extras, and you’re looking at a $50,000 car.
At the same time, nothing else in the family sedan segment—not from Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, or anyone else—offers this kind of attitude, bravado, and outright performance.
Note: Images show a US model.
