Positioning:
Full-size American sedan, appealing to a wide range of buyers seeking comfort, power, and rear-wheel-drive dynamics.
Key Competitors:
Chevrolet Impala, Ford Five Hundred/Taurus, Buick Lucerne, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima
Styling:
Distinctive, muscular styling reminiscent of classic Dodge Chargers.
Performance Options:
Choice of V6 and V8 HEMI engines offering strong performance.
Interior Space:
Spacious interior with comfortable seating for five.
Rear Wheel Drive:
Standard rear-wheel-drive platform, with available all-wheel-drive on certain trims.
Powertrain:
Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system basics
Drivetrain:
Transmission operation (automatic), drive shafts, differentials (overview)
Suspension Steering:
Basic operation, tire pressure checks, wheel alignment principles
Brakes:
Brake system warnings, ABS operation overview
Electrical Lighting:
Instrument cluster, warning lamps, exterior/interior lighting, battery care basics
Climate Control:
HVAC system operation, climate controls, recirculation
Infotainment Audio:
Radio operation, CD player, speaker system, Uconnect (if equipped)
Comfort Convenience:
Power windows, power locks, seats, mirrors, keyless entry, remote start (if equipped)
Safety Security:
Airbag system, seat belts, child restraint systems (LATCH), security system, alarm
Basic Operation:
Starting and operating the vehicle, parking, shifting gears
Instrumentation:
Understanding gauges, warning lights, and message center displays
Maintenance Checks:
Checking fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure checks, tire rotation recommendations
Do It Yourself:
Wiper blade replacement, bulb replacement (basic), cleaning and care
Towing:
Towing procedures, trailer wiring information, load capacity guidelines
Emergency:
Emergency procedures, jump starting, flat tire changes
Depth:
Owner-level, focusing on operation, basic maintenance, and understanding vehicle systems.
Diagnostic Focus:
Identification of warning lights and basic troubleshooting steps for common driver concerns.
Engine Type Base:
3.5L SOHC V6
Displacement Base:
3.5 Liters (215 cu in)
Horsepower Base:
250 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque Base:
250 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm
Engine Type Rt:
5.7L OHV V8 HEMI (with MDS)
Displacement Rt:
5.7 Liters (345 cu in)
Horsepower Rt:
340 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque Rt:
390 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Engine Type Srt8:
6.1L OHV V8 HEMI SRT
Displacement Srt8:
6.1 Liters (370 cu in)
Horsepower Srt8:
425 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque Srt8:
420 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Engine Management:
Electronic Ignition and Fuel Injection (MPI)
Emission Controls:
Catalytic converter, evaporative emission control system
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Approximately 18.0 gallons (68.1 L)
Standard Transmission:
5-speed automatic (W5A580 for 3.5L V6 and 5.7L V8)
Optional Transmission:
5-speed manual (available on some R/T models, rare)
AWD Option:
All-wheel drive available on 3.5L V6 models (e.g., Charger SXT AWD)
Automatic Features:
AutoStick manual shifting capability
Mds System:
Multi-Displacement System (MDS) on 5.7L HEMI, deactivates cylinders under light load
Length:
Approximately 200.1 inches (5083 mm)
Width:
Approximately 76.0 inches (1930 mm)
Height:
Approximately 57.4 inches (1458 mm)
Wheelbase:
Approximately 120.0 inches (3048 mm)
Passenger Volume:
Approximately 104.2 cu ft (2951 L)
Trunk Volume:
Approximately 16.2 cu ft (459 L)
Curb Weight Base:
Approximately 3,800 - 4,000 lbs (1724 - 1814 kg)
Curb Weight Rt:
Approximately 4,100 - 4,200 lbs (1860 - 1905 kg)
Curb Weight Srt8:
Approximately 4,265 lbs (1935 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:
Varies by model, typically around 5,000 - 5,300 lbs
NHTSA Front Impact Driver:
5 Stars (2007 Model Year)
NHTSA Front Impact Passenger:
5 Stars (2007 Model Year)
NHTSA Side Impact Front Seat:
5 Stars (2007 Model Year)
NHTSA Side Impact Rear Seat:
5 Stars (2007 Model Year)
IIHS Frontal Offset:
Good (2007 Model Year)
IIHS Side Impact:
Good (2007 Model Year)
Traction Control:
Traction Control System (TCS) standard on most models.
Electronic Stability:
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) often referred to as 'Electronic Stability Control' (ESC) available.
ABS:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard on all models.
Airbags:
Advanced multi-stage front airbags, front side-impact airbags, available full-length side curtain airbags.
Seat Belts:
Three-point active seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Child Restraints:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system for child seats.
Security:
Sentry Key immobilizer, optional alarm system, remote keyless entry.
Audio System:
Standard AM/FM stereo with CD player, optional Boston Acoustics premium audio system, Sirius Satellite Radio.
Navigation:
Optional GPS navigation system integrated into the infotainment unit.
Uconnect:
Available Uconnect system for hands-free communication and voice commands.
Parking Sensors:
Optional rear park assist system.
Keyless Entry Start:
Remote keyless entry, Keyless Enter 'n Go (push-button start) available on higher trims.
Auxiliary Input:
Auxiliary audio input jack for connecting external music players.
Bluetooth:
Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone calls via Uconnect.
Oil Change Interval:
Recommended every 3,000-5,000 miles (4,800-8,000 km) or as indicated by the oil change indicator system, depending on driving conditions.
Tire Rotation:
Recommended every 6,000-8,000 miles (9,600-12,800 km).
Engine Air Filter:
Inspect every 15,000 miles (24,000 km), replace as needed.
Cabin Air Filter:
Inspect annually or every 15,000 miles (24,000 km), replace as needed.
Coolant Flush:
Initial change at 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) or 3 years thereafter.
Engine Oil:
SAE 5W-20 (API SN or newer recommended for 3.5L V6 and 5.7L HEMI V8, check specific manual for SRT8).
Engine Coolant:
Mopar OAT (Organic Additive Technology) 5-Year/100,000 Mile Coolant (or equivalent HOAT).
Transmission Fluid:
ATF+4 (Mopar)
Power Steering Fluid:
Mopar Power Steering Fluid or ATF+4
Suspension Components:
Premature wear of front control arm bushings and ball joints on some early models.
Water Pump Leaks:
Occasional water pump leaks reported, especially on the 5.7L HEMI.
Throttle Body Issues:
Electronic throttle body issues can sometimes lead to rough idle or stalling.
Climate Control Actuators:
Failure of HVAC blend door actuators can lead to incorrect temperature distribution.
Dodge Legacy:
Dodge has a long history of performance-oriented vehicles and muscle cars, with the Charger nameplate having iconic status.
Lx Platform Introduction:
The 2006 model year marked the revival of the Charger nameplate on the rear-wheel-drive LX platform, shared with the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum.
2007 Updates:
The 2007 model year saw the introduction of the high-performance SRT8 version, offering significantly more power and track-focused tuning. Minor updates to feature availability and trim levels likely occurred.
Assembly Location:
Brampton Assembly Plant, Ontario, Canada
Production Years Lx Chassis:
2006-2010 (for the first generation LX platform Charger)
IIHS Top Safety Pick:
Earned an 'acceptable' rating in the IIHS frontal offset crash test, and 'good' in side impact. While not explicitly a 'Top Safety Pick' award in the modern sense, its 5-star NHTSA ratings were excellent for the time.
Consumer Reports Ratings:
Received mixed reviews from consumer publications regarding predicted reliability, but generally praised for performance and styling.
Emission Standards:
Meets EPA and California (CARB) emission standards for its model year.