The Dodge Charger has really come a long way. From the fastback '66 Charger to the ’72 Dodge Charger Rallye to the 5th generation chargers, the line has seen major design overhauls. Initially referred to as a muscle car, it has featured subcompact hatchbacks, luxury coupes, and full-size sedans.
Auto List notes that Dodge Chargers have changed between generations, and the current 7th generation of Chargers has two versions: the first debuted for the 2011 to 2014 models, and the most recent has been around since 2015, and it takes some cues from the 6th generation Charger platform and two-door challengers.
The 2021 Dodge Charger is the newest 7th generation iteration, and it boasts some incredible features, but which of them stands out the most? You probably guessed it, the engine.
However, before we unravel the sheer monstrosity it commands, let's check out some of the likable features of the 2021 Dodge Charger.
Evolution Of The Charger's Design
The Charger is awesome in many ways. The modern retro design, mean-looking headlights, and menacing front grille of this muscle sedan are standout features, and you can't miss the widebody fenders and 20" x 11" aluminum wheels. The aesthetics are not all there is to this beast, though.
The interior is the same as the 2020 Dodge Charger Hellcat Widebody. You're still getting the non-fingerprint-attracting carbon fiber finish around the instrument panel and performance shifter. And yes, the seats are just as great, that is if you believe they've aged well. The front seats are heated and ventilated to maximize comfort, with leather or Alcantara-wrapped (in the Hellcat and Hellcat Redeye) steering wheel rounding off the finish.
Basic Connectivity and Infotainment Features With Extra Tricks
The customizable 8.4" Uconnect touchscreen is present on the Charger and includes Roadside Assistance, Remote Vehicle Start, and more and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 4G LTE connectivity is available too.
The Charger has several cool tricks up its sleeves. With the Launch Control and Launch Assist, you can set the RPM to leap forward into first gear. There are four driver-selectable steering modes on the vehicle: Track, Sport, Auto, and Custom. An SRT Power Chiller helps to divert air-conditioning refrigerant to a chiller unit directed to the supercharger's heat exchangers.
There are also modes like Valet mode, which Dodge claims would protect your vehicle from unauthorized modifications when someone else takes to the wheel by restricting settings like drive modes, launch control, and more. Eco mode can alter the vehicle's engine and transmission settings to maximize fuel economy, albeit sacrificing acceleration and performance.
There are clearly many things to like about the 2021 Dodge Charger, but what makes the engine the most impressive?
The Charger's 797 Horsepower High-Output V8 engine
The large build of the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye is powered by a more than capable 6.2L HEMI High-Output V8 engine, which Dodge describes as a species of its own. It offers horsepower ratings that can only be described as monstrous. It's a shame that not every Charger boasts a HEMI V8 under the hood.
The Hellcat, Scat Pack, and R/T trims also feature V8 engines but at progressively lower horsepower levels, while both SXT models feature relatively subdued V6 engines.
The engines on the Chargers offer various levels of power. The least comes from the 3.6 L V6 engine of the base SXT with 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The SXT AWD improves on this and takes the horsepower to 300, and adds 4 pound-feet of torque. Then there's the 5.7 L V8 touting R/T with 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. The Scat Pack's 6.4 L V8 engine boasts 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque and clocked an impressive 3.8-second sprint to 60 mph, according to Car And Driver.
But here's where things get interesting. The 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat features a 6.2 L supercharged V8 with 717 horsepower, besting the 2020 Hellcat by 10 Hp, and 650 pound-feet of torque, but that wasn't enough, was it? Because beneath the hood of the Hellcat Redeye lies the 6.2 L supercharged V8 with 797 horsepower at 6300 rpm and 707 pound-feet of torque. Who thought it was a good idea to pack a four-door sedan with that much power? Because it was a damn good one.
But make no mistake, while the V8s are more authoritative in both performance and sound, the standard V6 is no slouch. It can hurl this large beast off the mark and is more than capable of providing enough power for highway driving.
That said, all models of the Charger boast an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive. Whichever you choose, you can't go wrong with the Charger engine.
The Drivetrain Of A Supercar In A Family Sedan
The 2021 Dodge Charger is a beast, packing more than capable V6 engines in the lower models and a V8 engine with almost 800 horsepower in the Redeye. Yet, the Supercar-like capabilities are housed in what you could call a four-door family sedan, making it even more ridiculous. The 2021 Charger certainly leaves its mark among muscle cars, and Dodge rightly calls it the fastest and most powerful mass-produced sedan in the world.