2017 DODGE CHARGER

The 2017 Dodge Charger is making its rounds, and so far it’s getting a lot of looks. Ever since Dodge talked about the possibility of returning to NASCAR, a lot of fans have been eagerly awaiting its two newest model trims, the Charger Daytona and Daytona 392. With the addition of those models, new colors amongst other tweaks were added to the lineup, and the 2017 Dodge Charger lineup looks mighty powerful and stylish. It’s time to take a look at what makes the Dodge Charger so desirable.

PERFORMANCE

Engine Types

Eight trims, two drivetrains, and four engines make up the 2017 Dodge Charger lineup. As noted, the Daytona and Daytona 392 have been added, and the other six trims still remain. The standard drivetrain is rear-wheel drive, with the Charger SE and SXT available with all-wheel drive functionality.

The base engine on the lineup is the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with Variable Valve Time technology (VVT), found under the hood of the Dodge Charger SE and SXT. With VVT, the fuel/air intake/exhaust valves of an engine’s cylinders are optimized to perform better, which in turn increases a vehicle’s performance and fuel economy. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 generates 292-horsepower and has an average fuel economy of 30 mpg on the highway.

If you are looking for more power, the 370-hp 5.7-liter V8 HEMI MDS engine with VVT comes standard on the Charger R/T and Daytona. Built with a multi-displacement system (MDS), the engine has a decent fuel economy even with its increased power output due to the MDS shutting off half of its cylinders when traveling at steady speeds (V6 and V8 engines only). As it stands, this engine gets 25 mpg on the highway.
A step up is the 6.4-liter “392” HEMI V8 engine with MDS, found on the Charger R/T Scat Pack, Charger Daytona 392, and Charger SRT 392 trims. This engine produces 485-horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, and helps the Charger accelerate from 0-60 mph in the low four-second range.

Finally, there is the legendary Charger SRT Hellcat model, available on both the 2017 Dodge Challenger and 2017 Dodge Charger. Surprising to find an engine of such power on a vehicle classified as a sedan, but the Charger has never been an ordinary four-door. Generating up to 707 horsepower, 650 lb-ft of torque, and accelerating to 60 mph in less than four seconds, there’s only one trim drivers will find this engine in – the 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.

Driving and Handling

The Charger is still a sedan, and with that comes automatic transmission – a lineup standard. For those who favor manual transmission, you may have heard of AutoStick automatic transmission. If not, it’s an automatic transmission that allows for manual gear shifting with automatic as a back-up, and is the same automatic transmission found in the 2017 Dodge Charger.

STYLE

Exterior Features

A lot of great features come standard on the 2017 Dodge Charger. Some of these may sound like a bit of a luxury or simply enhanced style choices, but automatic headlamps, an acoustic windshield and acoustic front door windows, black headlamp bezels, dual rear exhaust tips, solar control glass, and remote keyless entry really make all models worthwhile. If looking for a little more bite, like blind spot power heated mirrors, GPS antenna input, and exterior mirrors that adjust automatically when backing up, you’ll find those in the high-end trims.

There’s a lot of style this time around with the Dodge Charger, more than before due to the Daytona and Daytona 392 additions. Not only do those trims come with side “DAYTONA” decals (option to delete), but many trims get badges such as the “Scat Pack” emblem or the”Hellcat” logo on their respective trims. Dodge also unleashed a few colors from the High-Impact Paint vault, giving drivers the option of thirteen colors to choose from when giving their Charger some personal style. All that leaves is the tires, ranging from 17-inch cast aluminum to 20-inch hyper black II forged aluminum, and outfitted with all-season performance tires.

Interior Features

The 2017 Dodge Charger still has the ability to seat five passengers, with seating trimmed with cloth, Alcantara Suede, or Nappa Leather depending on the model. Features such as heated and ventilated seating may also be found on all trims except for the Charger SE. For a little more luxury, select trims come with a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel and a leather-wrapped gear shift-knob.

Some convenient features drivers may find on select trims is automatic a/c dual zone temperature control (driver and passenger) and an auto-dimming mirror. If Bluetooth has been installed, a microphone will be integrated into the mirror for easy voice-command. For some open air, drivers may opt to install a power sunroof, optional on all trims but the Charger SE.

TECHNOLOGY

Entertainment

Uconnect is the brand used by many FCA brand vehicles, like the 2017 Dodge Charger. Available in various versions, Uconnect 5.0, 8.4, or 8.4 NAV, and Uconnect Access, all Dodge Charger trims are outfitted with one of the versions and a touchscreen respective to the Uconnect system i.e. Uconnect 5.0 comes with a 5.0-inch touchscreen. Included is music streaming capability via Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto.

The standard music system is a six-speaker system, with select trims having six “premium” speakers. If seeking a better sound system, check out the Beats Audio Group package for ten Beats Audio premium speakers and a subwoofer. The 2017 Dodge Charger is not without its convenient features though. For controlling the music, audio controls have been mounted onto the steering wheel. For keeping an eye on vehicle performance, Dodge Performance Pages have been installed into select trims.

Safety Features and Warranty

Many basic and advanced safety features can be found in the 2017 Dodge Charger. Basic standard features found on all trims consist of an advanced (SRT) multistage front airbag system, side-curtain front/side/rear airbags, traction and stability control systems, and a sentry key theft deterrent system. The more advanced systems, available on select trims, are blind spot and cross path detection, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, a ParkSense rear park assist system, and a ParkView rear back-up camera.

All Dodge vehicles are covered by the following warranties – a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, roadside assistance for five years or 100,000 miles, and rust-through coverage for five years or 100,000 miles.