The 2018 Dodge Charger muscle car is one of the oldest cars in this sedan lineup. It follows the traditional styling of muscle cars: a long hood, with a powerful V6/V8 underneath, a long body with plenty of interior space, and comes with a short tail. The Charger packs in powerful engine options, has excellent performance numbers, and also handles very well with great stability and control.
2018 DodgeCharger GT
The Charger's interiors are spacious, and there's good seating comfort as well. The 2018 Dodge Charger is priced at $28,995, and comes in around eleven trim levels. On the standard Charger, the engine gearbox combination is a 3.6L V6 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard as well.
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The 2018 Dodge Charger sees no changes for the year 2018. It only receives a few minor additions and revisions with respect to the interior features and a shuffling of trims. The Charger is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine that outputs 292 hp and has a torque output of 260 lb-ft. It is powered by an 8-speed automatic transmission and also comes with rear-wheel drive as standard. All-wheel drive is optional. The Charger is a strong handler and steers on point. In terms of interior, it is spacious and offers a long list of standard features, but other sedans have gone ahead leaving the Charger behind.
2018 Dodge Charger
The Charger, however, lacks behind the competition in terms of interior quality and also offers less space. The Charger also scores less in terms of crash ratings. At a price of $28,995, the 2018 Dodge Charger faces competition from the 2018 Nissan Maxima, the 2018 Ford Taurus, and the 2018 Chevrolet Impala. All these cars are better equipped in terms of interior, have a more refined engine, and also are more modern compared to the Charger.
Features
8.0/10
The 2018 Dodge Charger is offered in eleven trims: SXT, SXT Plus, GT, GT Plus, R/T, Daytona, R/T Scat Pack, Daytona 392, SRT 392, and the SRT Hellcat. The R/T, SRT Hellcat, and Daytona trims will be covered in other reviews, separately. Pricing for the trims from SXT to GT Plus ranges from $28,995 to $35,995. All trims come with RWD as standard. The SXT and GT trims get a V6 engine which has different power outputs on both the trims. These trims and their standard features are mentioned in the table below.
Trims
SXT
SXT Plus
GT
GT Plus
MSRP
$28,995
$30,495
$32,995
$35,995
Key Features
17-inch alloy wheels
Adds/replaces features on the SXT trim
Adds/replaces features on the SXT Plus trim
Adds/replaces features on the GT trim
Keyless entry and ignition
18-inch alloy wheels
Gets All-wheel-drive as standard
Xenon headlamps
Rearview camera
LED foglamps
All features same as the SXT Plus
Ventilated front sports seats
60/40 split-folding rear seat
Heated mirrors
Leather upholstery
Power-adjustable driver seat
Upgraded cloth upholstery
Heated rear seats
Dodge's Uconnect infotainment system
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
There are a few options packages as well. The SXT and SXT Plus get a Blacktop package which adds a few exterior elements. A Super Track Pak on the SXT Plus increases engine output to 300 hp and 364 lb-ft of torque. There are a few performance features borrowed from the higher trims as well. The Technology package available on the SXT trim adds a few advanced safety features.
We recommend
The 2018 Dodge Charger GT Plus trim is what we recommended. It gets a powerful V6 engine, which may not be as good as the higher trim's V8 but has enough juice to make fast drives joyful and engaging. The GT trim also comes equipped with a lot of creature comforts and interior features, which allows you to enjoy the most of the cabin. It also gets AWD which will aid in better handling and control. The Technology package is a must.
Engine and Performance
9.0/10
“Even shy of the unmatched Hellcat, the 2018 Dodge Charger's performance keeps it on our most-wanted list." - TheCarConnection
2018 Dodge Charger Engine and Transmission
The 2018 Dodge Charger is powered by a 3.6L V6 Pentastar engine which outputs 292 hp @ 6350 rpm and has a torque output of 260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm. The SXT Plus trim also gets a more pumped-up version of this engine, with an output of 300 hp and 264 lb-f of torque. The 3.6L V6 engine comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with an RWD configuration AWD is optional.
2018 Dodge Charger engine
The engine is quite powerful, with a strong punch off the line. It has a strong midrange but does not shine in terms of its top speed. The 8-speed transmission is very precise, with quick shifts up and down no matter whether you are cruising or going all-out. The only issue with the gearbox is the gear lever which does not have a seamless shift pattern.
Models
2018 Dodge Charger
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Ford Taurus
MSRP
$28,495
$33,420
$27,895
$27,690
Engine
3.6L V6
3.5L V6
2.5L I-4
3.5L V6
Transmission
8-speed automatic
CVT automatic
6-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
Drivetrain
RWD
FWD
FWD
FWD
Power
292 hp @ 6350 rpm
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
197 hp @ 6300 rpm
288 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque
260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
191 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
254 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
The Chevrolet Impala gets the smallest engine and also has the least power and torque output. The Maxima is the only car with a CVT transmission. It also has the most power and torque output at 300 hp and 261 lb-ft. The Charger gets the biggest engine at 3.6L V6. In terms of pricing, the Maxima is the most expensive car whereas the Taurus is the most affordable. Except for the Charger, peak torque kicks in early in all three sedans.
2018 Dodge Charger Acceleration
The 2018 Dodge Charger RWD with the 3.6L V6 runs from 0-60 mph in a time of 6.6 seconds with the quarter-mile coming up in 15.2 seconds. The Charger's top speed is rated at 157 mph. With the 300 hp 3.6L V6 the time improves by 0.2 seconds to 6.4 seconds, and the quarter-mile improves by 0.3 seconds to 14.9 seconds. Top speed remains the same.
Models
2018 Dodge Charger
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Ford Taurus
0-60 mph (sec)
6.6
6.2
8.2
6.5
Quarter-mile (sec)
14.8
14.6
16.1
15.1
Engine
3.6L V6
3.5L V6
2.5L I-4
3.5L V6
Top speed (mph)
157
145
140
152
The Maxima is the quickest of the lot with a 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds, thanks to the more power and torque combined with a very precise CVT. The Taurus is next, with a time of 6.5 seconds. The Impala is the slowest with a 0-60 mph time of 8.2 seconds. In the quarter-mile run, the Maxima again leads, followed by the Charger and the Taurus. The Impala takes the most time at 16.1 seconds.
2018 Dodge Charger Ride and Handling
The 2018 Dodge Charger even in the base trim is one of the most decent handlers in this segment. With a weight of nearly 4000 lbs, the handling is tidy on the straights, with controlled body roll in the turns. The ride is pretty flat even in high-speed corners, but a small bump or disorientation is enough to throw the rear out of its line causing control issues.
2018 Dodge Charger in motion
The steering on the Charger is accurate and turns where one wants to go exactly. Weight balancing gets full marks, and the solid hold on the steering feels good in the hands. However, this is just as good as it can get: the tires do not feel connected to the rear of the body, limiting the response and feedback expected from a modern muscle car.
2018 Dodge Charger Braking
The Dodge Charger uses a set of 12.6-inch front brake rotors and 12.6-inch rear brake rotors. This setup helps the Charger stop from 60-0 mph in a distance of 110 feet. Considering its weight of 3934 lbs, this is an excellent stopping distance. The Charger can deliver the same braking performance even under continuous heavy braking, which is worth applauding.
2018 Dodge Charger braking
The brake pedal has a soft response to it, but it modulates brake pressure well and applies force accordingly. It has no lags even under sudden emergency braking.
Model
2018 Dodge Charger
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Ford Taurus
Brake Front (in)
12.6
12.6
12.6
13.9
Brake Rear (in)
12.6
12.1
12.4
13.6
Curb weight(lbs.)
3934
3478
3730
3917
60-0 MPH (ft.)
110
125
132
112
Against the rivals, the Charger has the best braking distance. The Ford Taurus is next in line with a distance of 112 feet. The Maxima takes 125 feet to stop, whereas the Impala has the worst stopping distance of 132 feet. The Taurus gets the biggest front and rear brake rotors at 13.9 inches and 13.6 inches.
Fuel Economy
7.1/10
‘’For the most efficient Dodge Charger, choose the V-6, and don’t even think about the Hellcat.” - TheCarConnection
The 2018 Dodge Charger with the 3.6L V6 and RWD configuration returns 19 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. With AWD configuration, the car returns 18 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. The Charger gets a fuel tank capacity of 18.5 gallons. With this fuel capacity, the RWD Charger has a range of 351.5 miles in the city and 555 miles on the highway.
Model
2018 Dodge Charger
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Ford Taurus
MPG (city)
19
21
22
18
MPG (highway)
30
30
30
27
MPG (combined)
23
25
25
21
Fuel Capacity (gallons)
18.5
18
18.5
19
Range (city/highway) (miles)
351.5/555
378/540
407/555
342/513
The Impala is the most efficient car in the lot thanks to the smaller I-4 engine. It returns 25 mpg combined, and has the most city mileage as well at 22 mpg. The highway mileage is the least on the Ford Taurus. In terms of range, the 18.5 gallons tank on the Impala gives a range of 407 miles in the city, and a range of 555 miles on the highway. The Charger also has the same highway range. The least range is seen on the Taurus at 342 city miles and 513 highway miles.
Interior
8.0/10
“Some low-buck trim and low-roofline headroom issues surface in the aging Charger sedan.” - TheCarConnection
2018 Dodge Charger Seating and Comfort
The interior of the Charger is aging. Build quality is not on par with segment standards. It's good, but it can be better. The interior has a lot of panel gaps, and the plasticky surfaces feel cheap at this price. Surface finish levels are consistent, but there's nothing modern about the interior. Fit and finish levels no longer impress us, and the cloth upholstery with the blacked-out surfaces is not very appealing on the lower trims. However, despite the flaws, the interior is very user-friendly with the logical and practical placement of controls and knobs.
2018 Dodge Charger front seats
The 2018 Dodge Charger's interiors are spacious. The front row is the place to be in, with excellent cushioning and a very supportive back. There's also a lot of bolstering around the seat, which guarantees a tight but comfortable fit while enjoying the 300 horses of the V6. The rear seats on the Charger are similarly padded, and get a comfortable seating position. Long journeys in this interior will be comfortable. Ingress and egress are simple in the front with the wide doors, but the short roofline in the rear is troublesome every time one has to get in or out. It also compromised the visibility in the rear, and the big pillars in the front also restrict the overall view.
Model
2018 Dodge Charger
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Ford Taurus
Passenger capacity
5
5
5
5
Passenger Volume(ft. cube)
104.7
98.6
105
102.2
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
38.6/59.5/41.8
39.4/56.7/45
39.9/57.9/45.8
39/57.9/41.9
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
36.6/57.9/40.1
36.7/55.7/34.2
37.4/56.9/39.8
37.8/56.9/38.1
The Nissan Maxima has the least interior space, but it's very comfortable. The front headroom and front legroom are the most in the Impala, at nearly 40 inches and 46 inches respectively. The Maxima is slightly behind. In the rear, the Charger has the most legroom at 40+ inches, whereas the Taurus has the most headroom at 37.8 inches. The Impala's interior is the most at 105 cu-ft. Some interior features on the Charger are:
Dual-zone climate control
60/40 split-folding rear seat
Power-adjustable driver seat
Leather upholstery
Ventilated front sports seats
Heated rear seats
2018 Dodge Charger Infotainment System
The Charger's Uconnect Infotainment system is one of the best in the class. The layout is simple, with easy navigation through various commands, and has simple voice controls as well. The touch response on the 7-inch touchscreen is quick, with no lag no matter what the purpose. The sound quality is crisp, and there is an optional 10-speaker Beats audio system as well. Navigation is optional, as is HD radio.
2018 Dodge Charger infotainment
Some features on this infotainment system are:
Bluetooth
Voice controls
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Satellite radio
Six-speaker sound system
2018 Dodge Charger Cargo Capacity
The 2018 Dodge Charger has a cargo capacity of 16.1 cu-ft, which is pretty decent for this segment. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats also open up more space for larger items. Loading luggage in this cargo hold is an easy task, thanks to a lower loading height and a wider opening.
Model
2018 Dodge Charger
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Ford Taurus
Volume (ft. cube)
16.1
14.3
18.8
20.1
The Charger's cargo capacity is good, but other cars offer more. The Taurus has the most cargo capacity in these four at 20.1 cu-ft. The Impala also offers a cargo capacity of 18.8 cu-ft. Only the Maxima offers a lower cargo capacity at 14.3 cu-ft, which is 1.8 cu-ft less than the Charger's.
Exterior
8.0/10
“THrowback styling has aged remarkably well on the 2018 Dodge Charger.” – TheCarConnection
2018 Dodge Charger Dimension and Weight
The 2018 Dodge Charger sees no change to its exterior design and styling after a major restyling back in 2015. The Charger continues with its coke bottle shape taken from the 1960s styling. As the name suggests, the design of the car speaks high volumes of an aggressive muscle car ready to beat any competition thrown at it. The Charger is one of the most sporty-looking sedans even in the base trim.
2018 Dodge Charger front three quarters view
Upfront, the long bulky hood, a blunt nose, and the sleek but muscular grille all come together well to signify the muscle car look from the past. The thick creases around the grille with the slim headlamps give the front a mean look. Along the side, the thick pillars with the gracefully sloping roofline and proportioned wheels all increase the elegance of the Charger.
2018 Dodge Charger rear three quarters view
At the rear, the long thin LED taillights with the Dodge badging and a dual exhaust system polish the Charger's styling. Different trim levels have a different styling to them. Dimensionally, the Charger is 198 inches long, has a width of 75 inches, is 58 inches tall, and sits early 5 inches above the ground. The Charger weighs nearly 4,000 lbs at 3934 lbs, and has a wheelbase of 120.2 inches.
2018 Dodge Charger
2018 Nissan Maxima
2018 Chevrolet Impala
2018 Ford Taurus
Curb Weight(lbs.)
3934
3478
3730
3917
Length(in)
198.4
192.8
201.3
202.9
Width(in)
75
73.2
73.0
76.2
Height(in)
58.2
56.5
58.9
60.7
Ground clearance(in)
4.9
5.3
7.1
5.1
Wheelbase(in)
120.2
109.3
111.7
112.9
Track width(in) F/R
63.4/63.8
62.4/62.4
62.2/62.0
65.3/65.5
Proportions wise, the Ford Taurus is the largest car in this comparison. It has the most length, the most width, and is taller than the other three cars. The Charger is the heaviest car at 3934 lbs, whereas the Maxima is the lighter car at 3478 lbs. The longest wheelbase is on the Charger itself, at 120.2 inches. The Maxima has the tightest wheelbase at 109.3 inches. Some exterior features on the Charger are:
Alloy wheels
Sunroof
LED foglights
Heated mirrors
Xenon headlamps
Fixed Rear Window w/Defroster
Safety
9.0/10
The 2018 Dodge Charger received an overall rating of five-star rating from the NHTSA. In the front crash protection, the Charger gets a rating of 4-stars. The IIHS rated it 'Good' in most tests. However, in the small-overlap front-impact test, the rating drops down to 'Marginal'. The Charger gets a ton of safety features as well, apart from the standard features which include airbags, traction control, stability control, and a rearview camera. Some other safety features on the Charger include:
Lane-departure warning
Active lane control
Adaptive cruise control
Forward-collision warning
Automatic emergency braking
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Competition
7.0/10
2018 Dodge Charger vs 2018 Nissan Maxima
The 2018 Nissan Maxima is a sports sedan like the Charger. It gets a powerful V6 engine mated to a CVT gearbox and has FWD unlike the RWD configuration on the Charger. The Maxima has more power and also has better performance times. However, the handling on the Maxima is not as polished as the Dodge, as does not offer the experience and thrill that the Dodge does. The Maxima however despite having a better performance offers a better economy than the Charger.
2018 Nissan Maxima
The interiors on the Maxima are more refined and well-done than on the Charger. The Maxima's interiors are also better equipped and more comfortable. The infotainment system on the Charger however is the better one due to its ease of use and overall fluidity. Both the cars get top safety ratings, but the Maxima is ahead of the Charger in this section. The Charger is more affordable than the Maxima, and also more in line with the muscle car dream of the American people.
2018 Dodge Charger vs 2018 Chevrolet Impala
The 2018 Chevrolet Impala is a better car than the Charger in many ways. The Impala also gets a V6 engine that has similar performance to that of the Charger. However, the Impala cannot keep up with the more performance-oriented versions of the Charger. The Impala benefits from better driving dynamics, better fuel economy, and a longer range. It does not have a good braking distance, however.
2018 Chevrolet Impala
The interiors on the Impala are better in every way- quality, comfort, and space. There's also more cargo capacity on offer. The Impala is similar to the Charger in terms of safety, but it has higher safety ratings and higher reliability ratings as well. The Impala is also more affordable than the Charger and has cheaper projected five-year maintenance and ownership costs.
Final Verdict
The 2018 Dodge Charger, in its aging design and styling, still manages to attract the crowd with its performance, handling, and spacious interiors. At just under $29,000, the Charger provides most of a muscle car heritage while staying in line with the sedan body requirements. The car portrays an aggressive design and tops safety scores with advanced safety tech on offer. All this has given the Charger enough potential despite its flaws to make a strong statement even in today's modern sedan segment. All in all, the Charger is worth a pick as a practical and sensible full-size muscle sedan, and we surely recommend one.
