2006 Dodge Charger SXT Road Test

A Unique Alternative to a Camry or Accord

The summer of 2005 is turning out to be the summer of the Dodge Charger. DaimlerChryslers timing is nothing but perfect: not only are modern muscle and reincarnated retro design themes in full swing, but the original Charger is back on the silver screen in this years blockbuster hit, the Dukes of Hazzard.

The third of the highly successful LX-chassis rear-wheel drive large cars, Charger is the latest legendary name to be brought back from the past, acting not as a range-topping coupe, as it originally was, but in four-door guise as a full step up from the midsize U.S.-only Stratus sedan. And as Dodge has so eagerly pointed out, the new Charger is family friendly American muscle; a car for the person whose heart wants a Mustang, but whose mind needs comfortable room for five and a decent sized trunk.

What initially attracts most people to the new Charger is its looks, but theres little heritage

What initially attracts most people to the new Charger is its looks. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

to be found here, seeing that Dodge tossed out the history book when it came to styling. Whether management had originally considered a two-door model, or whether a four-door was always the plan with its official name left to be decided upon later, is not known, but nevertheless a four-door is what management, backed with the usual market-research statistics that argue full-size two-doors wont sell as well, ended up signing off on.

And it doesnt take a million plus salary per year to figure this one out. Ford canned the previous-generation T-Bird, keeping it off the product portfolio for the better half of three years

DCX officials call it a four-door coupe, but so long as its got four full-sized doors, a car will never be a coupe in the eyes of the public. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

(not that full-size blue oval roadsters sell all that much better), and when was the last time the Monte Carlo topped any sales charts? Yet, the latest Charger doesnt do disservice to the historical nameplate, at least in my books. Dodges design team penned a design whose narrow windows and swooping roofline were so convincing that DCX officials call it a four-door coupe. But so long as its got four full-sized doors, a car will never be a coupe in the eyes of the public. Brand-mate Mercedes-Benz tried with the CLS, but however beautiful, or in the Chargers case, however muscular it is, it will still be seen as a sedan. But as far

The new Charger doesnt look a whole lot like the original 60s model. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

as four-door sedans go, the new Charger is a downright sinister looking machine, with a snarling nose and taut rear haunches. It is by far the most aggressive looking LX, with its chrome-plated, crosshair grille, and angled dual-beam headlamps. Only would the addition of a push-bar and roof-top sirens from the police-ready Enforcer package make highway traffic part faster.

As was mentioned earlier, the new Charger doesnt look a whole lot like the original 60s model. Absent is the legendary black-out grille with retractable headlamps, as are the pillarless door frames. In fact, the only styling queues that could pay remote homage are the rear windows that cant slightly inwards and the quad round tail lamps, but even then square red lenses mask them. Nevertheless

Visually, the SXT is a twin of the V8-powered HEMI R/T, other than the black-plastic side mirrors, single chrome exhaust tip and 3.5L High-Output badges on each front fender. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

this monster conveys an impressive presence, like nothing else on the market. Ford Five Hundred? Chevy Impala SS? Nothing comes close. The only cars that come across anywhere near as intimidating as the Charger are its next of kin Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum sport wagon, spawned at the same Brampton, Ontario assembly plant.

My Midnight Blue tester, in SXT-trim, was middle field in the Charger range, blending thrust with a decent standard specification. Its expected to make up the majority of fleet and private sales. Visually, it is also a twin of the V8-powered HEMI R/T, made in part by larger optional 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and fog lamps. Only narrow 3.5L High Output fender badges, black-plastic side mirrors and a single chrome exhaust tip reveal its

The V6 is good enough to slingshot this full-size sedan to 60 mph in a respectable 7.4 seconds. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

true six-cylinder identity.

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