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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Dodge Charger

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Dodge Charger

Overview

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2011 Dodge Charger Review

By KBB.com Editors

Combining muscle car performance with family sedan functionality, the 2011 Dodge Charger is the perfect choice for the driving enthusiast who also requires four doors. Offering such performance attributes as rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, and an available Hemi V8 engine, the 2011 Dodge Charger is no run-of-the-mill family sedan. With the exception of the all-wheel-drive Ford Taurus SHO, it's hard to find a domestic or foreign competitor capable of offering the kind of power, handling and aggressive good looks offered by the 2011 Dodge Charger. With pricing starting at about $26,000, even the most basic 2011 Dodge Charger promises a potent driving experience for very little money.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you need room for family members or business clients, but can't stand the thought of driving a generic four-door sedan, the 2011 Dodge Charger may be your savior. With a 292-horsepower V6 and an available 370-horsepower Hemi V8, the Charger can easily satisfy your need for speed as well as provide a comfortable perch for four adults.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a sophisticated sedan that expresses equal measures of prestige and performance, the 2011 Dodge Charger's boy-racer exterior styling and somewhat firm ride probably won't cut it. You may be better off looking at the Charger's sister car, the Chrysler 300.

What's Significant About This Car?

The 2011 Dodge Charger receives a new interior and exterior, a new, vastly more powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine and a number of improvements to its suspension and chassis. The 2011 Dodge Charger is offered in three trims: SE, R/T and R/T all-wheel-drive. New available features include a heated rear seat, heated and cooled front seats, hill start assist and a Garmin-supplied navigation system.

Driving the Charger

Driving Impressions While the 370-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8 offers heart-pounding performance, the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will both amaze and delight those budget-conscious consumers who opt for the SE model. With 292...

horses on tap, it's 42 horsepower stronger than last year's V6 and offers acceleration once found only in exotic sports cars. The engine is silky smooth at idle and purrs seductively at full throttle. Gear selection is handled by a five-speed Auto Stick transmission, which does a good job of finding and holding the right gears when climbing hills or navigating stop-and-go traffic. We were not impressed by the Auto Stick's manual mode, however, finding gear selection to be somewhat sluggish. The Charger's steering response has always been among the best in its class, and improvements to the suspension and steering gear only serve to make a good system better. Still, the Charger is a big, heavy car and you'll feel it dip and sway when pushed hard into tight turns. We also felt the suspension might be a bit too firm for some.

Favorite Features

Garmin Navigation
The UConnect 8.4N radio features an enormous eight-inch touch screen with navigation supplied by Garmin. A simple and intuitive interface plus voice-activated controls for the phone, radio and Sirius Travel Link make this one of the best factory navigation systems we've tested.

Super Track Pac
This optional R/T package turns the Charger into a track-ready player, adding P245/45R20 Goodyear Eagle F1 summer tires, 20-inch wheels, high-performance monotube shock absorbers, larger front and rear stabilizer bars, performance brake linings, performance steering and three-mode electronic stability control (ESC).

2011 Dodge Charger Details

Interior

Where shades of gray and dull plastic finishes once defined the Charger, the 2011 model is all about color, quality and comfort. Soft touch panels can be found throughout the car and the front seats include noticeably larger side bolsters The new three-spoke steering wheel features a nice, thick rim and houses controls for the audio, cruise control, Bluetooth and the driver information center. The Charger's new instrument panel is wide and flat, paying homage to the '68 Charger, and is covered in an attractive one-piece aluminum bezel. The centerpiece of the dash is an available 8.4-inch touch screen that incorporates navigation by Garmin as well as controls for the UConnect infotainment system. The 2011 Dodge Charger's spacious back seat can comfortably fit two adults, although the sloping rear roofline somewhat limits headroom for taller passengers.

Exterior

The 2011 Dodge Charger mimics much of the dramatic exterior styling that first appeared on the original 1999 Charger concept car. Deep scallops grace the Charger's sides and hood, while a "Coke bottle" beltline runs the full length of the car. Around back, a single-piece tail lamp reminiscent of the classic 1968 Charger runs the width of the car and uses 164 illuminated LED lights to form a racetrack graphic. The SE V6 rides on 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, while the R/T trim has 18-inch chrome-clad wheels and the all-wheel-drive R/T comes with 19-inch wheels. Fitting with the car's performance nature, Dodge has lowered the Charger's ride height and lessened the once-obvious wheel arch gap on the all-wheel-drive models.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The base model 2011 Dodge Charger SE features a 292-horsepower V6 engine, five-speed Auto Stick transmission, cruise control, vehicle information center, keyless Enter-N-Go, remote start, six-speaker audio with 4.3-inch touch screen, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, USB with iPod control and auxiliary audio input jacks, six-way power driver's seat, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and 17-inch wheels. R/T trims add 18- or 19-inch wheels, a 370-horsepower Hemi V8, 12-way power front seats, dual-zone automatic temperature control, Alpine audio with 8.4-inch touch screen, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and fog lamps.

Optional Equipment

There are a number of option packages for the base SE, including the Enforcer Package. This features black 20-inch painted wheels, blackout grille, a performance tuned suspension and a nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine audio system. The Rallye Package adds UConnect audio with 8.4-inch touch screen, dual-zone automatic climate control, six-speaker Alpine audio, 12-way power front seats, heated front seats, heated side mirrors and 18-inch wheels. The R/T can be equipped with a number of upgrades including the Road and Track package that adds performance-oriented 3.06 axle ratio, supportive front seats with suede inserts and blackout honeycomb grille. Other popular options include a power sunroof, Adaptive cruise control, Garmin navigation, leather seating, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel and all-wheel drive.

Under the Hood

The 2011 Dodge Charger is powered by a choice of two engines. The entry-level SE features the new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6. Arguably the best V6 engine ever produced by Chrysler, this engine produces an amazing 292 horsepower and 260 pounds-feet of torque, yet still delivers 27 miles per gallon in the government's highway driving cycle. The Charger's 5.7-liter Hemi V8, has been tweaked this year to produce 370 horsepower and 395 pounds-feet of torque, more than enough to propel this big muscle car from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. The HEMI engine also features a fuel saving mechanism that deactivates four of the eight cylinders when cruising under a light load. Both engines are coupled to a five-speed Auto Stick automatic transmission with manual shift mode.

3.6-liter V6
292 horsepower @ 6350 rpm
260 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 (gasoline), 13/19 (E85)

5.7-liter Hemi V8
370 horsepower @ 5250 rpm
395 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/25 (FWD), 15/23 (AWD)

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2011 Dodge Charger Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.4

Out of 10

Based on 44 Ratings for the 2011 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

9.1/10

Quality

9.4/10
Reliability

9.6/10

Performance

9.4/10
Comfort

9.5/10

Styling

9.6/10

Love driving this car!

By Don (OK) on Saturday, June 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 33,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "great price, fun to drive, looks very appealing"

Cons: "se model has 5spd tranny"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I feel so nice driving this car, there are interior lights on the door handle, under the doors for courtesy lights, cupholders light up just doesnt seem like they skipped on quality anywhere, the dash is all soft-touch plastic not going to crack. This year they did a makeover of every side of the vehicle inside and out. I have the base SE and the suspension is still really smooth, something about rear wheel drive makes it feel like such a nice ride. the only thing i didnt like was that the se and sxt dont come with spoilers and the shifter and tranny on the se was different (old style/5spd instead of 8speed) it still shifts smooth and is overall a "good buy" but the money to the SXT is well spent."

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Beauty & Function

By Mandy (OR) on Friday, June 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 7,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Style, comfort, fuel economy, great price, FUN!!"

Cons: "Visibility is limited"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I cannot say how much I love this car!! It is beautiful, comfortable and great on gas! Plenty of room in the backseat for passengers, plenty of room for driver as well. Very affordable for all you get with this car. I definitely recommend this car for single people, travelers, families, just about anyone who wants comfort, style, great fuel economy, and value."

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Nice car but not what i expected!

By 2012 Charger R/T From Arizona (AZ) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 10,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 3/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 3/10
Performance: 2/10
Styling: 3/10
Comfort: 3/10

Cons: "Hemi Tick, Air bag recalls, Blind spots"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Bought it in June of 2012 and it has been at delaer for Air bag light on 4 times, Also The hemi is VERY loud engine. It has a Ticking noise noted as the "Hemi Tick" and dealer says it is Normal. I have owned the car 10000 miles and im trading it in. Too many issues and ticking noise annoying! Mind you i LOVE dodge product but not a fan of the charger R/T"

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Drives like a Dream

By Kokie (LA) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 37,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "fun to drive, very roomy, I always get compliments"

Cons: "no navigation or dvd"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have had this car for almost a year and I'm still in love with it! My Dodge Charger is a Toxic Orange color with 2 black stripes down the center! It's a true beauty and her name is "Fiona"!"

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Tons of research and test drives... never a doubt

By DW (MS) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 4,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun to drive, HUGE cabin, you'll love it"

Cons: "No self-cloning technology"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I started looking at Dodge Chargers in 2009 and drove a new 2010 RT fully loaded for the first time. It was enjoyable, but not amazing. 2011 rolled around before I test drove another right after the redesign.. man was I stoked.. that was the most enjoyable test drive of any vehicle I had ever had. I was driving a little 4-cylinder Hyundai Elantra at the time.. I drove both the V6 and the V8 Chargers and was elated with both. However in the end, the V8 won me over. I watched and researched every little thing I could for over 3 years before finally grabbing my Charger and I've been absolutely impressed, excited, and delighted with my choice! The heated/cooled cupholders were a very nice touch, as were the soft lighting additions behind the door handles on the inside. Everything about the cabin felt so very well thought out and was exquisitely done. A few notes about the two machines: V6 does not ride as smooth as the V8, I'm guessing the suspension and sheer weight difference are likely the causes. V6 gas mileage is a little better than the Hemi v8, but only a little on the highway, much more so in-town. I average a little better than what the window sticker suggested (17mpg city, 26 hwy sticker, 17mpg city, 28mpg hwy actual). A tip for other potential buyers: especially in the V8, Cruise is your friend.. use it alot if you want to keep your fuel costs lower. The automatic tranny will downshift for you when you kick on cruise, while if you don't have the paddleshifters, you're kind of stuck otherwise. While it feels big.. my Charger doesn't feel sluggish or unwieldy. It drives very nimbly and agile, especially for its' size. I can vouch for 0-60 in around 5.5-6 seconds ^.^. While I'm not a racer, I chose my V8 because it handles so impeccably well! I wanted a vehicle that was one of the best there is to keep me and my passengers out of wrecks, not survive them. The handling on the Charger leaves me no doubts that it is what I was looking for, it's incredibly responsive for its' size and weight. I drove 2010 or newer mustangs, I test drove new Camaros, and even a bmw and a Genesis. The bmw and genesis weren't really even in the same class performance-wise, and the camaro had a horrendously rough ride. The mustang just felt too refined, yet not nearly as comfortable. All of them felt very small and confined compared to the positively huge cabin space of the Charger. My Wife-to-be loves my car as much as I do... we may get another when it comes time to replace her Element. :D"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Best ride ever. Love the speed/suspension.

By Jeni (NY) on Monday, April 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 17,800

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Like driving a small sports car w/its suspension."

Cons: "The gas. Get a smaller engine if you're concerned"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"The car's suspension is fantastic and the handling is like driving a small sports car. With the Hemi you should already know that gas is expensive. Interior (I have the cloth) is so comfortable and the heated seats are the best. I have arthritis and I use it a lot. The trunk can handle a full luggage for 4 for the week. The back seat with the pull down beverage console. It has been my dream to own this vehicle. 17 mph city 24 highway."

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See all 44 reviews