2011 Dodge Charger SE V6
| The Good: – Aggressive styling – Cabin space and quality – Good ride and handling |
The Bad: – Weak low-end power – Some multimedia quirks – Bit limited rear visibility |
The Dodge Charger has always been a cool car. The original was cool. The reborn sedan was cool too. But the new-for-2011 one, a heavily-updated version of the outgoing model, is simply something else, moving beyond duking it out with other Americans and straight-up hitting the Europeans where it hurts.
The new Charger retains some of the previous model’s styling elements, mostly up front, but goes for a conservative side profile, while going flamboyant on the rear end, with its 164-LED tail lamps. Our tester is the V6-powered Charger SE, and it looks every bit as premium as the V8 models. This is a big car, so even the SE’s 18-inch alloys look a bit small.
While the flip-up door handles look cheap, they’re actually modern, with intelligent keyless entry offering access at a touch-and-pull. The cabin itself is thoroughly original, and while some may like the design and some may dislike it, the interior is undoubtedly trimmed in premium soft-touch materials more generously than in a pricier Audi A5 Sportback even, with a padded dash, upper door trim and even the centre console, going even further with real metal lining a big chunk of the dashboard. The doors and armrests were also lined with swaths of leatherette, although the seats themselves were cloth in our V6 tester. Build quality is very good, with only one or two panels looking like they’re out of line, well within Lexus standards.
The styling may be swoopy, but the Charger is still a large car, so there is no shortage of headroom or legroom, both front and back. The front seats are mildly bolstered, with only the driver’s one power-adjustable, and with a steering wheel that adjusts to an alarming degree, finding the best driving position is a piece of cake. The luggage boot is also sizeable, and the rear seatback folds down for more cargo-hauling capacity. And as if going overboard on practicality, there are four covered cup-holders, pockets and bottle-holders on all doors, power outlets for front as well as rear passengers, a cargo net, a cubby to hold your phone, hooks in the boot to hang small grocery bags on, and even separate holders different-sized coins.
On the tech front, the Charger is the first Chrysler product to benefit from their new multimedia system, housed within a big 8.4-inch touchscreen display. With big icons and colourful graphics, it is easier to use than Ford’s SYNC, although we didn’t play with any voice commands. The Bluetooth phone, strong CD/MP3 stereo and navigation all worked well, although we noticed some minor issues. The USB port occasionally didn’t read our fancy “slim” flash drive, and the nav screen sometimes takes time to redraw the maps as the car moves along. Other features include a sunroof, cruise control, auto HID headlights, front and side-curtain airbags, tyre-pressure monitor, keyless starter button, rear camera with parking sensors, capless fuel filler, and a strong dual-zone a/c with rear vents. Higher trim levels get a powered passenger seat, leather and heated/cooled cup-holders.
The Charger SE is powered by a 3.6-litre “Pentastar” V6, good for 292 hp at 6350 rpm and 353 Nm of torque at 4800 rpm. The numbers are decent, but having to move a 1796-kilo full-size sedan with only a 5-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, we managed a 0-100 kph time of 8.2 seconds during our May test. We lay the blame on the tall gearing, seemingly intentional to improve fuel economy, and the slightly-delayed manual gear-changing isn’t very satisfying. But drag-run numbers don’t mean much, because while the Charger takes off at a leisurely pace, there seems to be an uncanny burst of power beyond 3000 rpm, so the car actually feels like a V8 on the highway! There is power where it counts, so overtaking is an effortless affair, and the engine is never stressed. The fuel consumption is remarkable too, as we got 10.6 litres/100 km with a fair bit of highway driving. Maybe that tall gearing has its benefits after all.
Chrysler has nailed the ride and handling balance too. With meaty 235/55 tyres on 18-inchers, the ride quality is smooth with a tinge of firmness on certain jittery surfaces, and no floatiness over bumps and dips on the road. More surprising is the Lexus-rivalling levels of quietness at highway speeds. Of course, it takes some care slipping into a parking space due to relatively-limited rearward visibility, but it’s handled with the help of a rear camera.
Handling is very good too. Body roll is never prominent, and whatever roll shows up is quickly quelled as soon as the road becomes straight. The steering is slightly firm and fairly direct, but offers limited feel. The ABS-assisted disc brakes do their job pretty decently. All of it is about as much as you’d expect from a big Mercedes-Benz sedan, and from what we gather, Chrysler has reserved the real sporting balls for the R/T model.
By now, you may have noticed the amount of name-dropping we’ve done, mentioning Audi, Lexus and Mercedes in, of all things, a Dodge review. But that really is how good this car has become. Looking beyond performance figures, if all you need is an entertaining, entry-level luxury sedan, the Charger SE can give many luxury brands a run for their money.
| Price Range: Dh 105,000-125,000 Current Model Introduced in: Body Styles: Engines: Transmissions: Setup: Suspension: |
Brakes: Front: discs Rear: discs Curb Weight: Length: Wheelbase: Top Speed: Test Acceleration 0-100 kph: Observed Test Fuel Economy: |
Comments
Mahmoud
Hi, thanks for this review.
I recently bought the SE v6, similar to the one reviewed here and i wanted to update the 0-60 mph acceleration numbers. Mine does it in a 6 to 6.5 sec. I suppose the one tested here wasn’t broken in yet.
Shiv
@Mahmoud – It’s probably because you bought the V6 with the new ZF 8 speed gearbox. The tested version in this article has the old 5 speed. Huge difference. Congrats on your purchase!
Yogesh Sharma
Hi i’m just planning to buy a sedan but is bit confused with Dodge Charger, Nissan Maxima and Honda Accord – All 2012 models only., my budget is about 100,000/- 125,000/- .
please recommend me a good ride for the family and personal use.
With Regards
Yogesh Sharma
Toney George
If you prefer resale value and reliability, the honda accord is a good choice and has a good V6 engine.if you prefer beter engine power and value for money, the charger is unbeatable in its class.but dont expect it to be as reliable as a honda or nissan.
moaz
if still not bought dont go for maxima even though i did go for charger if resale is not an issue more car for same money and drive it for next 5 years without any issues quality is top notch for dodge now so no worry for that part
Ness
Planning to buy this car this Ramadan,confused whether to go with base SE or Rallye models.Any feedback from users?
Pruthviraj
Planning to buy Charger V6 SXT+ model for city as well as highway driving. Need to know frequent maintenance issues. Guys your feedback will help.
Kiyoshi Manabe
An example of 5-speed 2011 Charger V6 posts 0-60mph in 6.4sec according to an American media,I’ve heard of.
This result could be calculated to 14.6-15.0sec bracket for 0-400m times,it’s quite respectable yet mysterious figure for her old 5-speed AT gearbox,I think.
Sunil
Guys,
How reliable is Charger? American reliability is learnt always lower than Japanese! Please advise as I am really attracted towards owning a Charger.
Thanks,
Sunil
Theepan
Hi guys! I own a 2008 Dodge Charger done 75K and maintained by Trading Enterprises. It’s a V6 basic with SXT hood, double exhaust and fog lamps. Do I sell it before the warranty expires in Dec 2013? I love the car and want to keep it but I’m a bit apprehensive about maintenance costs without warranty. Also if selling, what is an ideal price for it?
Vishal
Hi all…
I was wondering how much the 3.6L V6 with full option would cost? I would appreciate it if anyone could clarify that.
Also, how about it’s reliability?
Kiyoshi Manabe
The 3.6-litres unit is fairly mighty,yet its fuel consumption seems bairly accetable to today’s standard.
Thus her hefty body weight(1797-1850kg) should be lighter by 100kg near future,I do expect.
S Mathew
Hi Mash.
Don’t you think the dealer here is ripping its customers when it comes to American cars? While checking the price of the base model of the Dodge charger 2013 online, it showed as 25,595/- USD, which is about AED 96,000/-. Last month I went to check out the price of the same at Trading Ent. and they informed me that the base model of the charger is AED 129000/-. This I believe is not fair as the price shown online, includes the dealer margin too!! There is a famous saying that ‘customers buy value’. I wonder what value is the dealer providing for that extra AED 33000/- because there is nothing special in their service levels too (I know that because my Jeep is being serviced here).
Of course unless you may know something more about the same ?.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
I believe the Dhs 129k model is loaded with more features than a real base model. What happens is the dealer tries to push their current stock at you, so if they ran out of the actual base model (which costs around Dhs 106k last I checked), they’ll say the 129k model is the most basic they have.
S Mathew
Hi Mash. I just found that 129k model was the same Dhs 106k. They had added the ‘so called’ free service and free insurance to make it look like a deal. The 106k did not have this.
Secondly I also paid a visit to the Ford showroom to enquire about the mustang. The V6 premuim 2013 was 132K a few months back. Now when I checked they say there is no stock of 2013 model and the 2014 model is 142K after a dscount of 8k. The ridiculous part is that in the US none of these prices have changed for the 2014 model. No one to challenge this due to the agency monopoly I guess :-).
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Aha! As for rising prices, as long as people keep paying, they’ll keep charging. Blame the buyers!
Vishal
Hi Mash,
Could you please post the updated prices of Dodge Charger ?
Afif
One of best cars to buy from the reviews I have read of the cars. I’m so motivated even more by the Ramadan offers trading enterprise is giving now!
Are there any newer changes coming for Charger in 2014? Don’t want to disappoint myself after buying…that’s why! Would you please update me Mash!
Thank you!
Ahmad
Top speed v6 charger : 249 kph not 210 kph
Ness
Have had my 2012 5.7HEMI RT Road and Track Charger for just an year now and absolutely love it.Totally agree with Mash that the dealer never informs the new customer about the full range of trims available and tries to push the maximally stocked model as the base one.My friend who went to the showroom after seeing the ads was offered the 129k model as the base one!And they told him that just 3 trims are available.The truth is there are 3 trims in RT itself.Another problem is getting the desired color for leather interior.The dealer always insists that just a particular color or wheel model goes with a particular trim and exterior color…
Omar
HI! I own a ford explorer and absolutely love it. I am in love vth this dodge charger for about 6 months now and want to buy it for my wife. I recently went to the RAK showroom, and was disappointed by the sales guy’s attitude.Didn’t like him one bit, he told me the base SE is 116k. I am planning to go for it but not sure about the service at trading enterprises.
S Mathew
The Dodge charger V6 was the one I had almost gone for. The Trading Ent service is very average based on my Jeep Grand Cherokee experience. But that said, I found the salesman at Trading Ent in the festival city to have very good knowledge compared to other brands. Mash you will be happy to know that the salesman even took your reviews from Drive Arabia directly in front of me (both the test drive and specifications) to prove his point!! ? But his strategy back-fired when I showed him the Hyundai Genesis specifications and compared it to the Dodge charger V6 specs ?. All he could justify with an expression of scorn was that “it is a Hyundai after all”
Finally went for the 2014 model Hyundai Genesis sedan few weeks back. Thoroughly impressed with the vehicle! My other vehicle is a Jeep Grand Cherokee (limited) and even in comparison to this vehicle in terms of the engine performance, warranty and built quality, I found the Genesis to be far more superior.
By the way thanks to you Mash as it was your review that prompted me test this vehicle and go for it. I think it is apt for my daily Dubai Abu Dhabi drive. They are even giving up to 100,000kms free service including parts (only tyres not included) and then the regular 5 years unlimited mileage warranty too applies. I bought it for AED 135K. Plus for Genesis customers, no service booking is required; only walk-in and I get a much faster service (fingers crossed though) compared to Trading Ent. Very hard to beat the Genesis in terms of performance unless you are going for a Charger V8; then it comes with a huge price tag too.
I guess the only way this car may bite you is if you have to suddenly sell the car i.e. may be due to an unplanned relocation. You might not get an optimum re-sale value
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Good to hear!
Andrew
I own a 2013 Charger R/t 5.7, so far i absolutely love the car. Didn’t have any problems with it. If you are going to buy a car dodge is where the real value is at. However the resale might bite back at you.