Introduction
For the 2015 model year, the
Dodge Charger full-size sedan receives a significant makeover to ensure its competitiveness against models such as the
Chevrolet Impala,
Ford Taurus,
Kia Cadenza, and
Toyota Avalon. At the 2014 New York Auto Show, where
Dodge introduced the revamped 2015 Charger, the company announced SE, SXT, R/T, and R/T Road & Track trim levels.
Exterior Features
The majority of the 2015 Dodge Charger's exterior is restyled, the automaker claiming the classic 1969 Charger influenced the new look. Dodge says the goal was to make the new Charger look lighter and more athletic, and new paint colors as well as 10 different new wheel designs ranging in size from 17 in. to 20 in. are available for the updated sport sedan. New HID headlights, new LED running lights, and new LED fog lights are optional.
Interior Features
Those familiar with the current Charger will likely feel right at home inside the new 2015 model, as it retains a familiar look and feel. Dodge does, however, make several changes to the car's cabin. The company says the interior materials are better than on previous models, and reconfigurable instrumentation similar to what's available in the smaller
Dodge Dart comes standard on the Charger, along with a new
steering wheel that can be upgraded with die-cast zinc paddle shifters. Eight new interior color combinations also serve to freshen the car's appearance.
Optional Features
Depending on the trim level, the 2015 Charger can be optioned with leather seats, a navigation system, premium Beats Audio system, and a power sunroof. Power front seats with 12-way adjustment are also available, as well as heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, LED cabin lighting, and more. Buyers can even select a unique black-painted roof for the 2015 Charger.
Under the Hood
Choose the Charger SE or SXT and a 292-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 engine is standard equipment. An optional Rallye Appearance Group provides a slight bump in engine output, raising the horsepower figure to an even 300. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment, delivering the power to the Charger's rear wheels, and on some versions it includes a Sport driving mode and paddle shifters. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is optional with this engine, and features a front-axle-disconnect system designed to conserve fuel when the AWD system is inactive.
For a traditional "Hemi" V-8 engine, select the Charger R/T or R/T Road & Track. For 2015, this 370-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8 is paired with the same 8-speed automatic transmission that comes with the V-6 engine, but is no longer available with AWD. Fuel Saver Technology continues, though, shutting off half the V-8's cylinders under certain driving conditions in order to conserve fuel. When installed in the Charger R/T Road & Track, the "Hemi" V-8 is fortified by a recalibrated powertrain with a high-speed engine controller, performance axle ratio, and a launch control system.
The new 2015 Charger is also equipped wit
h a new electric steering system that allows the driver to choose between Normal, Comfort, and Sport modes.
Safety
For 2015, the Dodge Charger adds several new safety-related technologies. The highlights include automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist system, Adaptive Cruise Control Plus with the ability to bring the Charger to a complete stop, and a Forward Collision Warning Plus system that can autonomously brake the car if the driver fails to take corrective action in order to avoid a collision. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, a reversing camera, and rear park-assist sensors carry over from the previous model.
New Uconnect Access technology supplies 911 Call/Assist service, which activates if the Charger's air bags deploy in order to speed rescue personnel to the scene of the accident.
Technology
With the 2015 Charger, Dodge upgrades the car's Uconnect infotainment and connectivity system. The new Uconnect Access technology includes the 911 Call/Assist service mentioned above, and also serves as the basis for voice-to-text capability and for a mobile Wi-Fi hot spot connection to the Internet. Through a new Uconnect Via Mobile app, Charger owners can stream thousands of global Internet radio stations through the audio system.
