What’s New?
Dodge adds all-wheel drive to its Charger “muscle car” sedan for the 2007 model year. While most Chargers are powered only by their rear wheels, the all-wheel-drive system sends 38 percent of the engine’s torque to drive the front wheels, providing enhanced traction in all weather conditions. Other changes include the availability of a navigation system, satellite radio, power-adjustable pedals, and new wheel designs.

Overview
The Charger is Dodge’s largest sedan and is built on the same platform as the Chrysler 300 sedan and the Dodge Magnum wagon. Like the Magnum, it has a much sportier design than the more formal Chrysler version, and the Charger name recalls the heralded muscle-car era of the 1960s. And yes, as Dodge is eager to note, it’s available with a Hemi engine.

For 2007, the Dodge Charger is available in SE, SXT, R/T, and SRT8 versions. All-wheel drive is available on the SXT and R/T. Standard in the SE and SXT is a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that pumps out 250 hp. The R/T comes with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 (named for the hemispherical shape of its combustion chambers) that generates 340 hp. The SRT8 gets an even higher-performance version of the Hemi, a 6.1-liter unit that provides 425 hp, enough to give sports car-like performance to the full-size sedan, including acceleration from a standing start to 60 mph in less than 5.5 seconds. And, this acceleration comes without the driver having to shift gears; all Chargers come with 5-speed automatic transmissions.

Regardless of engine, the Charger provides 5-passenger seating and a roomy trunk. Although it has a sleeker coupe-style roofline, it is a 4-door sedan that provides easy access to the rear seat. Standard equipment includes anti-lock brakes, and the options list includes side curtain air bags. Also available are such features as a Boston Acoustics audio system, navigation technology, and a rear-seat DVD-based entertainment system with a 7-inch roof-mounted screen.

The Dodge Charger offers two new option packages for the 2007 model year. The Convenience Group III packages automatic headlamps, one-touch express front window controls, and dual-zone automatic temperature controls for the SXT. The enhanced Road/Track Performance Group includes 20-inch chrome wheels, all-season performance tires, and special exterior trim and colors on the R/T.

The Competition
The Dodge Charger competes in the Large Conventional segment, which consists of 14 models. Buyers in this segment look for performance, comfort, and exterior styling, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider Study^SM and the Escaped Shopper Study.^SM

The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM were the Chevrolet Impala (289,868 units sold), Chrysler 300 (143,647), and Dodge Charger (114,201). The Dodge Charger’s 114,201 sales in 2006 represent an increase of 154.9 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Large Conventional segment include the Pontiac Grand Prix, Buick Lucerne, Toyota Avalon, Ford Five Hundred, and Nissan Maxima.