- 2010
2008 Dodge Charger
- Used Dodge Charger
Dodge Charger - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Charger is a power performer, with commanding exterior styling and a roomy, comfortable interior. The use of some low-quality interior materials, limited visibility and a lackluster base engine put it near the bottom of its class.
The 2008 Dodge Charger creates buzz with its retro-muscle-car styling and the powerful engines offered at the top of its lineup. It offers Muscle car looks -- remember, The Dukes of Hazzard drove a Charger, not a Challenger -- with four doors and room for five adults. It backs up its aggressive look with engine options that top out with a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 putting out 425 horsepower. Automobile Magazine calls the Charger "bargain-priced power." The Charger also earns points for offering a range of trims and options, allowing buyers to get the car that's just right for them.
Through the first half of 2008, Dodge has struggled to move Chargers off dealer lots. The brand has positioned itself as the home of V8 power, and with skyrocketing gas prices, fewer Americans are buying big V8s. If you are interested in this car, it may be possible to find one at a significant discount.
The 2008 Dodge Charger is sold in four trims: the base SE, the SXT, the performance-oriented R/T, and high-performance SRT8. For 2008, Dodge has redesigned the Charger's interior, upgraded the wheels, and offered enhanced entertainment options. Dodge has introduced a limited lifetime powertrain warranty on all of its products for 2008. If you're considering the Charger, you might also want to test drive the Pontiac G8 -- another powerful four-door.
- + "For a relatively big car, the Charger holds curves well, and a tight turning radius gives it a pliant feel. It holds its power well, giving the driver a solid sense of control. Your mother, or grandmother, probably would never go shopping for this car. But she'd enjoy driving it-whenever she could talk the men in the family into handing over the keys." -- U.S. News
- "A long way from the stripped down muscle car of the mid-1960s. It's a muscle car for today, with big power and performance, but all the amenities that 21st century drivers demand." -- Motor Week
- "I have to admit my own skepticism. But after spending a long day on both the track and highway, most of my concerns have melted away." -- The Car Connection
- "Subtlety is clearly not this car's intention. Bargain-priced power is. And since the Charger matches the output of the SRT 300C and Magnum but sells for less, it is arguably the most compelling of all." -- Automobile Magazine
- "Those of us who aren't saddled with the baggage of nostalgia for the old two-door Chargers can appreciate the newest rendition of this famous Mopar nameplate for what it is - a very nice family sedan with extraordinary good looks." -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
- "Love it or hate it, the new car's styling does attract attention." -- Road and Track
Charger Performance - 8.0 (Very Good)
Dodge portrays the 2008 Charger as a high-performance option that can double as a family sedan. But the Charger is offered in four trim levels with four different engines, ranging from 178 horsepower all the way to 425. While the high-end models keep the performance promise, many reviews say the lower-end engines don't. The Orlando Sentinel says, "Certainly the 5.7-liter, 340-horsepower Hemi V-8 in the Charger R/T is entertaining, but the SRT8's extra 85 horsepower is icing. Expensive icing." Read More
Charger Exterior - 8.7 (Very Good)
The 2008 Charger's exterior is a throwback to the Chargers of the 1960's, with an aggressive, wide stance. U.S. News' Rick Newman calls the Charger "Hot. Bold and bossy. Dodge developed an original exterior that is fresh." Read More
Charger Interior - 7.5 (Good)
Dodge has upgraded the Charger's interior for 2008 to address reviewer complaints, and the new cabin is an improvement. Road and Track says "The Charger's cabin is tastefully designed and looks clean without appearing austere." Still, it doesn't offer the luxury of some of its competition. Read More
Charger Safety - 7.6 (Good)
The 2008 Dodge Charger performs well in federal government crash tests, and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety gives the car a rating of "good" for frontal offset test results. Its side impact scores are not as impressive, especially without optional side airbags. Read More
Charger Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)
The 2008 Dodge Charger reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Dodge covers the Charger with a three-year/36,000-mile basic limited warranty, and a new lifetime powertrain warranty. Read More
