You can watch the review of the HEMI CHARGER R/T here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWj6VNf4OEU
There is also a video of the Charger SE (base) on my Youtube. 



With the 2011 Chrysler 300’s front end having been emasculated and toned down in aggressiveness for the new model year, many MOPAR fans have expressed more interest in the reskinned DodgeCharger.
 
This incoming Charger is far more flamboyant than the one it replaces. Even if you’re  2 blocks away, it’s not hard to make out the ridiculously bright tail L.E.D lamps.  From the sides, this car demands attention with aggressive fender flares, sculpted door scallops and massive wheels.  If you find yourself driving in front of one, you’re greeted by a snarling, angry, hog-like face that wears Dodge’s new corporate grill:  a crosshair with you as the target.  This car is  mean, menacing and has a violent bent to it.
 
If it could talk, it might yell:  “GET THE F*** OFF MY ROAD…NOW!!!” 

A “sleeper” it is not.
  
Dodge really wants you to open the doors and admire the revised interior.
 
It looks like Dodge took a few details from the Ford Taurus SHO and added rippled soft touch padding to the doors. They even added real aluminum bezels to the doors and center stack, disposing of the plasti-chrome crap of the previous model.   Soft touch materials abound. While not as luxurious as the 300, the materials here help elevate the Charger above Hertz’s parking lots. 
 
There are three choices of interior leather:  black on black, black on tan and a deep red. No matter which color you choose, you’ll love the outcome.  “First glance” cheapness you might remember from the last generation of Chargers is effectively gone. I’d be surprised to see one of these on any rental lot considering how upscale this new interior actually is.  Of course, there are thinly veiled signs of cost cutting. Example: storage bins with plastics that slam shut - no precision at all.  Notice the “storage areas” if you don’t get the large touchscreen.
 
In its defense: I'm happy the car comes with an auxiliary jack, 12V outlet, and USB port out of sight in the armrest. This way, you can charge your iPod while playing music from it without cables in sight.



V6 TRIM LEVELS

$25,170 Charger SE comes with Chrysler’s 3.6L Pentastar V6. The 3.6L offers 292HP and 260 pound-feet of torque. It replaces the old 3.5L EGJ which offered 250HP & 250lb-ft of torque, but, was the better choice than the old SE’s discontinued 2.7-Liter that only offered  178HP & 190lb-ft of torque.  The SE will be Dodge’s volume seller  - especially with gasoline over $3.30 a gallon for regular unleaded.  Therefore, it was important to get this car just right.
SE models come with cloth seats and the new, higher end interior design.  The standard wheels are 17” painted aluminum riding on P215/65/R17 all season tires - rather than the lame steel wheels of yesteryear.
 
Like the new Chrysler 300, even the base Charger comes with a version of the “UConnect touch system”. This system offers touchscreen access to the XM radio link, the regular AM/FM radio, and the MP3/CD player on the 4.3” LCD screen.  The Charger’s 4.3” radio is a bit of a downer.  Not only because it doesn’t have Navigation, but, because it’s a bit small and can be difficult to see while driving.  You’ll need to use it to adjust the temperature of your seats. I found myself squinting to see it. On the plus side, Bluetooth is standard and you can dial numbers on the screen.  Unfortunately, most buyers will probably want to get an aftermarket radio, but, have a problem finding one compatible with the car’s new harness and bezel. I also wasn’t happy with the new tiller’s volume buttons on the backside of the wheel.
 
Standard features abound. All Chargers get a proximity key with push button start/stop. You even get electronic stability with a computerized feature that automatically checks brakes for wetness and applies pressure to dry them.  Tire pressure monitoring  is included. There’s also a “capless” filler for your gas tank with a motorized, electronic locking mechanism.  (Look for the video on my Youtube page).
 
Once you ascend from the SE trim level, you’ll enter a plethora of options and trims which can become a maze depending upon how much you have to spend.  Navigation is available as an option on the “Rallye” trims, but, it raises the price by $650 because it includes a backup camera with center stop light package.  Nav is only standard on the HEMI V8 trims. For now - if you want all wheel drive - you’ll need to upgrade to the HEMI V8 trim.
 
Step in to the $27,420 “Rallye” package and you automatically get an upgraded 8.4” touchscreen radio with Bluetooth, A2DP streaming audio,  DVD player and SD card reader. You get upgraded 18” chrome- clad aluminum wheels, but, you can further upgrade to 20” chrome wheels with Firestone 245/45/R20 all season performance rubber.
 
There is a $1300 “Rallye Appearance Group” package that adds a performance suspension,  rear spoiler,  amplified speakers with a subwoofer in the trunk and a 506-Watt amplifier to run it all.
There is a “Driver confidence” package that adds auto adjust mirrors with auto dimming, heating and power folding; blind spot/cross path detection; HID headlamps; ultrasonic rear park assist;  auto dimming headlamps and automatic wipers that activate when they sense rain.


A $1700 “Rallye Plus” package tops the car off with a security alarm, higher end embroidery, and heated/cooled cup holders up front.
 
Most of your attention, will be on the massive 8.4” touchscreen - standard on all Charger’s but the “SE”.  View pics on your SD card with your girlfriend or put the car in park and watch a DVD. A loaded Rallye with Navigation and moonroof will cost you just south of $33,000 before taxes and dealer fees.   


ENTER THE HEMI

A Dodge Charger or a Chrysler 300 wouldn’t be as renowned they are today if they didn’t offer the HEMI V8 engine.  Unfortunately with gasoline prices north of $3.50 for middle-grade unleaded, which this car requires, the HEMI – despite its pleasure inducing grunt – is an inefficient and illogical choice this day in age. When I first drove the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger, years ago in 2006, gasoline was $3.25 for middle grade.  The difference was, back then, we weren’t in an economy with 10% unemployment or a credit crisis.
 
The $30,170 R/T rides on the aforementioned 18” wheels and includes the redesigned 5.7-Liter HEMI V8.  Adding AWD to this car will cost you an additional $2150 and will upgrade you to the 19” wheels.  Even though the R/T includes the 8.4” touchscreen standard, you’ll still need to add the Navigation package if you want Navigation.

Step up to the $35,170 R/T “Max” and you’ll get the  Navigation system, 20” wheels; higher end stitch embroidery on the seats and accents;  all of the equipment from the “Rallye appearance” and “Driver Confidence” and “Rallye Plus” package.   If you want the R/T Max AWD, however, you’ll be downgraded to  19” AWD wheels. Though the dealer sticker on a loaded R/T Max claimed $36,945, the dealer was willing to let it go for $35,700.  Either way, the car is priced to sell.
 

DRIVER’S EXPERIENCE

One of my testers, (which I made a short video for) was a White Charger SE with a sticker of $25,995.  My second tester was an optioned out “Red” R/T Charger Max which was fully loaded.  Every piece of equipment, including the $950 sunroof was checked. Sticker price was $37,950.
 
When I requested the space on Epinions for this review from the category lead, I actually had to ponder what type of car the Dodge Charger actually was:  a passenger, sports or luxury car?  The Charger fits 5 adults comfortably thanks to its massive interior space.  It comes with large wheels, low profile performance rubber and a corner-eating suspension like a sports car would.  With the HEMI V8 and the technological upgrades, it costs just south of $40,000 and requires premium unleaded – like a luxury car.  So, the simple answer is, the Dodge Charger can be considered all of the above.
 
First, let’s talk about the SE Charger.  I used to own the 2.7-Liter 300 which produced less than 190HP at peak RPM. Sure, I was getting about 20mpg, but, I always thirsted for more takeoff power and more passing thrust on the Highway. Back then, the next engine up was the 3.5 Liter with 250HP. It moved the Charger with more authority. The 250HP was all you really needed to make a Charger an all around  spirited driver.  The new 3.6-Liter Pentastar more than effectively replaces both engines. Pentastar V6 gives you more torque -early on - and an additional 42 horses at peak to propel the snarling beast to 60 in slightly less than 7 seconds.  Thanks to variable valve timing, a miserly throttle and electro hydraulic steering technology, even though power has increased, the new V6 offers slightly better fuel economy.  

The ousted 3.5L only offered 17city/23highway on the 5-speed tranny.  The 3.6 is up to 18city/27highway. Instant fuel economy ranged between 16mpg and 23 .
 
So with a gorgeous new interior, high tech optional equipment and decent fuel economy, why-o-why would anyone want to pick the premium fuel thirsty 5.7 HEMI?  Well…that’s where the luxury aspect comes in.
 
Besides the addictive, guttural growl of the HEMI and the ability to make onlookers stare in awe as you deactivate the traction control and smoke the tires, the suspension of this reworked LX platform gives the Charger just as much command of the road as the outgoing Charger SRT8 had.  The 2011 Charger corners flatter than before, hugs the road just a little closer and body roll is much better controlled as you enter and exit highway grades.

I'm not sure how some reviewers will feel about the steering. It's a lot lighter lock to lock, and the wrap feels lovely in the hands, but, some might argue that road sensitivity is lower than the outgoing model. With so many people using aftermarket wheels, I doubt steering sensitivity was ever a concern from most users.  

I’m happy that I was able to test these cars on ice and snow. This way, I was able to see how well the new LY platform cars handle in inclement weather. The simple answer is: acceptable.  AWD isn’t available on the V6 models yet, so for now, you’ll have to splurge on the HEMI  if you need it.  The base model has enough power to get out of deep snow as long as you temporarily deactivate the traction control.  The Hemi does it even easier.   I recommend AWD, but, lovers of RWD cars will probably be apprehensive about signing on the dotted line for the heavier feeling vehicle  - instead of opting for snow tires  (i.e. – Blizzaks).  Fortunately this is an intelligent AWD system. Power is only sent to the front wheels when the car needs them, thereby, giving you the illusion of RWD performance.   Once you pass 65mph, the car switches from AWD to RWD and notifies you via the E.V.I.C.
 
All Chargers, whether V6 or V8 are mated to the same W5A580 5-speed automatic transmission you may remember from the outgoing model.  This transmission, originally designed by Mercedes Benz during the Daimler-Chrysler merger, is probably the best mate the available engines could possibly have had. Thing is, it’s a bit long in the tooth nowadays.  Why wasn’t the 6-speed from the Challenger 392 offered? Even though the 5-speed knows what to do to squeeze the most power out of whatever engine you’ve got, you’ll be left wishing it was faster on shifts if you actually try to make the car perform.

Fortunately, the autostick gives you semi-manual control if you know what to do with it. Until the rumored 8-speed is released with the upcoming 2012 SRT8, the W5A580 is still a solid component you can trust.  It even comes with Chrysler’s 5-year 100,000 mile warranty.
Valve deactivation technology doesn’t change the fact the beastly HEMI is thirsty. Though the sticker claims 16city/25highway, I only observed 19.5 mpg mixed driving.   Estimated annual fuel cost is pegged at $2370.



OVERALL

The Charger offers a driver centric design which angles the gauges, dials and center stack towards the pilot.  Thanks to firm heated leather with 4-way power lumbar; power adjustable foot pedals; and a soft touch - leather wrapped - power adjusting wheel; the Charger is a grand touring vehicle you’ll enjoy driving for long stretches. Not only could you live in these seats, you can even watch a movie in them.

My job won’t be done till I have the new SRT8 in my hands.  For now, I can honestly say that Dodge has done a great job updating the Charger’s weakest elements and potential buyers will love it.  The only disappointment I have is that Navigation isn’t standard - despite the inclusion of touchscreen systems on the base models.  Otherwise, the new Charger is absolutely b!tchin’. 
If I wasn’t a 300C loyalist, I’d take one of these in a second.
Amount Paid (US$): 25,995
Model and Options: SE & R/T