2020 Dodge Charger Review
2020 Dodge Charger Review
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+364
Average
7.4
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
No other American sedan has the same combination of performance, comfort and muscle-car style as the Charger. Acceleration is quick and the brakes are reassuringly strong, but the vague steering feel and the suspension's sensitivity to midcorner bumps hamper overall handling. Scores for convenience and utility are also middling.
Used Charger for sale
Appraise This CarDodge Charger model years
Dodge Charger types
- Sedan
- SRT Hellcat Widebody
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2020 Dodge Charger Review
byMark Takahashi
Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
Pros
- Powerful V8 engines available, including the one for the 707-hp Hellcat
- Trim levels and graphics packages allow for plenty of personalization
- Infotainment is user-friendly and features a large touchscreen
Cons
- V8 engines can be thirsty when driven with enthusiasm
- Sloping roofline impedes visibility and rear-seat access
- In fit and finish, it lags some competitors
What's new
- New Widebody versions of the Hellcat and Scat Pack
- Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition debuts
- Other trims receive minor revisions
- Part of the seventh Charger generation introduced in 2011
Overview
Automakers have largely given up on making large sedans, especially ones that deliver high levels of performance. But Dodge continues to keep the flame lit with its 2020 Charger. Combining the visceral excitement of a muscle car with the convenience of four doors, the Charger is in a class by itself.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Dodge Charger SXT 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.13 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$163/mo for Charger SXT
Charger SXT
vs
$197/mo
Avg. Large Car
You can choose the V6-powered Charger in its base form or go all out with the 707-horsepower Hellcat and its supercharged V8, but there are plenty of happy middle-ground options as well. 2020 also brings some new Widebody variants that deliver greater visual swagger as well as improved cornering performance. This year also marks the Charger's 50th anniversary, which Dodge is celebrating with a 717-hp Daytona limited edition.
Combined with some more extensive underbody changes last year, the Dodge Charger remains relevant even though it's been almost a decade since it was reintroduced. Certainly, there are more sensible and fuel-efficient choices for a roomy sedan. Toyota's Avalon, in particular, has become surprisingly sporty in recent years. But if you have an appetite for performance but want some sedan-based practicality, the Charger is the only way to go.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Average
7.4
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
No other American sedan has the same combination of performance, comfort and muscle-car style as the Charger. Acceleration is quick and the brakes are reassuringly strong, but the vague steering feel and the suspension's sensitivity to midcorner bumps hamper overall handling. Scores for convenience and utility are also middling.
Rated for you by America's best test team.Comfort
7/10
How comfortable is the Charger? The Charger's front seats provide plenty of bolstering and lumbar support. They'll keep you comfortable on a long road trip and keep you in place when the road gets twisty. The rear seats are also well contoured with similarly supportive padding.
On the downside, we could feel just about every bump in the city and on the highway from our Scat Pack test car. Base Chargers will ride a little more softly. There's a fair amount of road and tire noise at highway speeds too. Everything is damped down by a lot of sound insulation, but the Charger is no hushed highway cruiser.
On the downside, we could feel just about every bump in the city and on the highway from our Scat Pack test car. Base Chargers will ride a little more softly. There's a fair amount of road and tire noise at highway speeds too. Everything is damped down by a lot of sound insulation, but the Charger is no hushed highway cruiser.
Interior
7/10
How’s the interior? The Charger is spacious on the inside, especially in the front. The back seat fits adults well too. There's enough head-, hiproom and shoulder room for at least two adults and one kid in the back. It's much roomier than a two-door muscle car.
The Charger's wide roof pillars impede your view. The small rear window and sloping windshield also affect visibility. You can see out of the car while moving forward relatively well, but it's nearly impossible to truly look through a corner on a curvy road. The sloping rear roofline means you'll have a hard time getting into and out of the back seat without grazing your head.
The Charger's wide roof pillars impede your view. The small rear window and sloping windshield also affect visibility. You can see out of the car while moving forward relatively well, but it's nearly impossible to truly look through a corner on a curvy road. The sloping rear roofline means you'll have a hard time getting into and out of the back seat without grazing your head.
Technology
8/10
How’s the tech? Dodge's Uconnect system is one of the best around. It responds quickly to inputs and catalogs music collections with lightning speed. An optional 19-speaker stereo drives up the price quite a bit (we'd skip that option), but voice controls and navigation are excellent.
A collection of driver safety aids, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assist, are part of the optional Technology Group. All work pretty well. The adaptive cruise control's following distance is relatively conservative.
A collection of driver safety aids, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assist, are part of the optional Technology Group. All work pretty well. The adaptive cruise control's following distance is relatively conservative.
Storage
6.5/10
How’s the storage? The trunk is decently sized, but there's a high liftover height and the space narrows significantly toward the back. Non-performance-oriented competitors in the midsize segment do much better. The door and center console pockets are relatively small, and they're paired with small can-sized cupholders. Rear seat storage is limited too.
Car seat anchors are hard to see in all three seating positions. The back seat is wide enough for bulkier child safety seats, and there's generally enough space to fit them behind the front seats, but the Charger's low roof makes it difficult to load a seat and attend to a child.
Car seat anchors are hard to see in all three seating positions. The back seat is wide enough for bulkier child safety seats, and there's generally enough space to fit them behind the front seats, but the Charger's low roof makes it difficult to load a seat and attend to a child.
Fuel Economy
5.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The Charger is definitely not the car you buy for fuel economy. The big 6.4-liter V8 is better than the supercharged Hellcat engine, but only marginally. The EPA estimates 18 mpg combined with the 6.4-liter engine. We averaged 19 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route.
Value
6.5/10
Is the Charger a good value? Most of Dodge's development budget went toward what's under the hood of this car. Build quality is good but not great. Nothing was rattling or squeaking in our test car. But lots of the plastic interior surfaces feel a bit cheap for the price point.
As far as the ownership experience goes, expect to spend a lot of money on gas if you've got a V8-powered Charger. Warranty and roadside assistance coverage is average compared to other sedans.
As far as the ownership experience goes, expect to spend a lot of money on gas if you've got a V8-powered Charger. Warranty and roadside assistance coverage is average compared to other sedans.
Wildcard
9/10
You'll find fewer brute-force muscle cars on the road these days, and pretty much none are equipped with a big non-turbocharged V8 and four doors. The Charger with its optional engines and many customization options really is in a class of its own.
If your idea of fun is blasting tunnels, chirping the tires, and setting off with eye-watering speed, then this car in this configuration will be right up your alley. It's no sports car, but it handles curvy roads well too. Everywhere you drive the Charger (except the gas pump), you'll be smiling.
If your idea of fun is blasting tunnels, chirping the tires, and setting off with eye-watering speed, then this car in this configuration will be right up your alley. It's no sports car, but it handles curvy roads well too. Everywhere you drive the Charger (except the gas pump), you'll be smiling.
Which Charger does Edmunds recommend?
For the full muscle-car experience, we suggest stepping up to a V8-powered Charger. The R/T is the entry-level for the eight-cylinder models and comes well appointed with more creature comforts than supporting trims. We'd also add the optional Driver Confidence and Technology packages.
2020 Dodge Charger models
The 2020 Dodge Charger is a five-passenger, four-door sedan available in five main trim levels: SXT, GT, R/T, Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on the SXT and GT trims.
The SXT starts with a 3.6-liter V6 engine (292 hp, 260 lb-ft of torque, or slightly more with all-wheel drive selected) matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. You get a decent number of standard features, including keyless entry and ignition, a power-adjustable driver's seat and Dodge's Uconnect infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Next up is the GT. It still has the V6 but comes with more features such as bigger wheels, a performance suspension, front sport seats and a 8.4-inch touchscreen. The R/T is equipped similarly to the GT, but it comes with a 5.7-liter V8 engine (370 hp, 395 lb-ft).
The Scat Pack adds to the R/T a bigger 6.4-liter V8 engine (485 hp, 475 lb-ft) and Brembo high-performance brakes and a limited-slip rear differential among other performance upgrades.
For the above trim levels, a variety of optional packages are available. Highlight features include xenon headlights, an upgraded suspension and tires, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats and a Harman Kardon sound system. For added safety, check out the Technology Group package.
Finally, the SRT Hellcat Widebody tops the Charger line with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 (707 hp, 650 lb-ft) and almost all of the above options. The Widebody upgrade (flared wheel arches, wider wheels and tires, and adaptive suspension dampers) is also offered on the Scat Pack as an option.
For 2020, a Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition is limited to 501 units and builds on the Hellcat Widebody's features. You get a slight power increase to 717 hp, premium leather upholstery, and numerous exterior and interior treatments.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#12 out of 13 among Fullsize Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Dodge Charger from 2008-2022.$592/yr
vs. $474/yr
for Average Fullsize Car
for Average Fullsize Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.07x/yr
vs. 0.97x/yr
for Average Fullsize Car
for Average Fullsize Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).16.1%
vs. 13.4%
for Average Fullsize Car
for Average Fullsize Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Dodge Charger.
5 star(72%)
4 star(21%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(7%)
1 star(0%)
47 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
I agree - most fun rental car I've ever driven...
CJS, 09/18/2019
2019 Dodge Charger R/T 4dr Sedan (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
I rented a Hertz Charger R/T (with the smaller V8 motor...) for an 800 mile road trip from Santa Barbara to Santa Fe. I was by myself, and would have been bored to death on such a long drive in just about any other rental car...but not the Charger. It was rock solid at 80 / 90 mph (thanks no doubt to the Mercedes chassis) and the sound of that Hemi never got old. Sure - fit and finish is … sketchy, the interior looks cheap (although I found the driving position and the seats perfectly comfortable), and Dodge reliability may not be the best - but for about $30K (for an R/T, with available discounts), this car and it's Challenger cousin have to be two of the best bargains around, at least for those of us who want to be able to enjoy our time behind the wheel. To be perfectly honest, I found the Charger more entertaining to drive than my 605hp Audi S8 Plus - I'm not kidding! "Cheap but cheerful" sums up this terrific automobile...
4 out of 5 stars
Momma's Back in Black
KYMomof4, 12/14/2018
2019 Dodge Charger SXT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
My van is in the shop having warranty work so I was given a Charger. I have enjoyed the styling of the Charger, also receiving many complements on the "muscle car" sitting in the elementary school parking lot. With its 300 horsepower and 264 lbs of torque, I have very easily left everyone at the light. The smoothness of acceleration combined with the ability to hug any curve transports … me back to my younger days. I could only imagine the power of the Hellcat or even a GT. The front seats are incredibly comfortable, even if they are cloth. My kids are struggling to get in and out of the back and complain with the lack of leg room they were accustomed to with our van. They frequently hit their heads getting in. My kids do enjoy the ride but would take their beloved entertainment center over this any day. Overall, the car is a very solid and is convincing enough for me to consider when I don't have as many kids to cart around. I feel like I can have my cake and eat it, too.
5 out of 5 stars
Scatpack Widebody is the perfect blend
Chris Gray, 06/22/2020
2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody 4dr Sedan (6.4L 8cyl 8A)
Picked up my black 2020 charger a few weeks ago and it is fantastic. Great horsepower and handling. Interior is actually much better than what I remember from my previous Dodge vehicles (2012 Charger, 2014 Challenger). Gas Mileage is ok 16-18 mpg, but mostly around town. Have had the whole family in the car for road trips. Got it without the sunroof for additional headroom.
Update, has … 8,800 miles now and still loving it
5 out of 5 stars
Best ever rental
Tony, 03/21/2019
2019 Dodge Charger R/T 4dr Sedan (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
Rented this '19 Charger R/T with a Hemi 5.7 for a business trip that took me a couple hours south of Kansas City. I nicknamed the car "rocketship". I'm a car-guy who restores 60's muscle cars on the side and I had more fun driving this Charger than anything but my 69 Firebird 400 Convertible. It's surprisingly quiet at speed and has all the punch you need at any speed. The … suspension ate up potholes and road imperfections while proving stable and always in smooth control. The brakes did their job when an 18 wheeler decided he liked my lane better than his and the handling was surprising flat on turns at speed with almost no body roll....quite a feat given the size and weight of this car. Overall, it was a great experience and if Dodge figures out a way to make the V8 versions all wheel drive, I'd have one in my garage.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Dodge Charger, so we've included reviews for other years of the Charger since its last redesign.
2020 Dodge Charger video
2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody Review ― Cost, Interior, Specs, 0-60, Burnouts & More
The Dodge Charger carries on the long and wonderfully American tradition of rear-wheel-drive V8-powered family sedans. In this video, Kurt Niebuhr reviews the 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody and explains why it remains one of the best of its kind.
2020 Charger Highlights
Sedan
SXT
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $29,995 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $163/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 16.5 cu.ft. |
rear wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Charger models:
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Illuminates a light on either of the Charger's side mirrors when a vehicle enters its blind spot.
- Forward Collision Warning
- Helps prevent collisions by sounding an alert when the Charger detects an imminent collision.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Sounds a warning if a vehicle is approaching the Charger from the side while it's traveling in reverse.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat4 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover5 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover10.1%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestMarginal
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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