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The 2022 Dodge Charger R/T is one of the best-looking and most powerful cars in its segment, but it is starting to show its age in some areas.
Being part of the seventh generation of the Charger lineup, this 2022 iteration of the Dodge Charger R/T still manages to come out as an excellent product if you are after performance, exotic V8 engine note, and a comfortable daily driver. The car has mostly aged like a fine wine, excluding the bland-looking interior and mediocre plastic quality, and this American muscle sedan handled the corners pretty well for something that weighs as much as a small house.
Offered for a base MSRP of $40,895, the 2022 Dodge Charger R/T comes with the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V8 motor, which has plenty of horsepower and torque to have some fun behind the wheel. The transmission shifts quickly and being RWD, it kicks the tail out like any other muscle car when asked. The Uconnect infotainment is top-notch as well. Competing with the Chrysler 300 S and the Toyota Avalon, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2022 Dodge Charger R/T.
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The 5.7-liter naturally aspirated HEMI V8 motor present under the hood of the Charger R/T has enough power for most gearheads, putting out 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. The transmission duties are handled by an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission, and the power is sent to the road via the rear wheels.
The sedan managed to go from 0 to 60 mph in a competitive 5.1 seconds and can do a top speed of 155 mph. The wide torque curve of the V8 motor makes the car very enjoyable to drive in both the city and on the highway, and overtaking is a breeze. It sounds beautiful throughout the rev range, too.
The ride quality sees no compromises for the 2022 Dodge Charger R/T and the passengers would be happy during the slow city commuting as well as the highway runs. The suspension is tuned to the softer side, especially when compared to the higher-powered Scat Pack trims, and the car never gets unsettled, even when met with sharp undulations.
We are also happy to report that the 20" wheels don't make the ride intolerable, and the difference between the smaller wheel size offered with the GT trims is only minor. The suspension travel is more than adequate, and it doesn't bottom out easily. There is no major vertical movement when driving on the highway, either.
Many would think that the Dodge Charger R/T is going to handle like a boat, mainly due to the stigma that still lies with the American muscle car segment. The initial versions of the seventh generation Chargers weren't exactly corner carvers, however, the Charger R/T has improved tremendously, and the driving experience will surprise many.
The car dives into the corners with precision and more than adequate grip. Even with the softly sprung suspension, the car doesn't have an alarming level of body roll. It holds to the line well, and the mid-corner direction changes are confidence-inspiring. However, the steering lacks feedback, and it felt a bit vague as well.
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Coming with a HEMI V8 motor and with no forced induction or mild hybrid systems, the 2022 Dodge Charger R/T is not for those who want a frugal daily driver. The car managed 16 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. The combined gas mileage of 19 MPG is lower than many of the rivals that come in the full-size sedan segment.
The Charger R/T is one of the very few cars that come with a V8 motor at around $40,000, and hence when compared to the Chrysler 300, which also gets an optional V8, the fuel efficiency remains identical. We also like the large 18.5-gallon fuel tank capacity, which provides a range of 463 miles, and that's in the same ballpark as the more efficient Toyota Avalon.
Even after more than 11 years in production as the seventh generation iteration, the Dodge Charger still remains one of the most handsome sedans in the segment. The sharp front-end design, typical American muscle car profile, and the classy rear-end highlighted by the well-integrated rear spoiler and dual exhaust makes it one of the coolest sedans on the road.
We also admire the LED headlights and taillights, a long list of exterior color options (a total of 13), and multiple strips and decals options. It is also one of the most customizable sedans out there, mainly due to five different wheel designs, custom-painted brake caliper option, and a plethora of other upgrades. The 20" wheels remain classy as ever, and the subtle character lines and curves are unlike any other sedans.
Like the 2021 model year, this 2022 Charger R/T also comes with a plasticky interior that doesn't scream premium. Most of the dashboard is constructed in hard plastic, especially when compared to the premium-feeling interior of the Kia Stinger GT. The switchgear quality is also nothing to boast about.
The silver accents on the center console and gear shifter areas and the aluminum-like inserts also don't help the interior much. The fit and finish are underwhelming too, as we could spot uneven panel gaps and fitment issues. However, the interior does feel like it is built to last, especially with the rubberized coating most of the surfaces have.
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The Uconnect 4C system comes with a large 8.4" touchscreen display that does all the infotainment duties of the Dodge Charger R/T, and the passengers would be happy with it. The display is very sharp and bright, and it is also one of the easiest to use. There is no major learning curve and the connectivity features work seamlessly.
Many important features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM radio, navigation, Bluetooth, audio streaming, voice recognition, and a host of other features are onboard as standard. The audio experience punched out by the 6-speaker Alpine audio system is mediocre, and the audiophiles would need to upgrade the speakers for a better audio experience.
The strong build quality, coupled with a decent list of active and passive safety features (some of which are optional), helped the 2022 Dodge Charger R/T to get good scores in both the NHTSA and IIHS crash tests. The Charger received a 5-star overall crash safety rating in the NHTSA crash test. All the subsections of the crash test also received a similarly good score.
The IIHS has also awarded a good rating in multiple sections of the test. However, we wish it came with more standard driver-assistance features. The features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and forward-collision warning are optional extras.
The brakes on the 2022 Dodge Charger R/T have great bite and slows the car down with no major effort. The initial bite is superb, and when pushing hard on the brake pedal, the car could stop from any speed with no issues. The brake fade is minimal even under prolonged use, and the car doesn't feel twitchy under hard braking.
The braking of the Charger R/T is handled by 13.6" front rotors and 12.6" rear rotors, and it has all the modern braking features. These helped the 2022 Dodge Charger R/T to do the 70-0 mph braking test in a respectable 176 feet, and the brake pedal offers great feedback as well.
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The boring interior design remains unchanged, and it does look its age. When the seventh generation Charger arrived back in 2011, the design was highly criticized for its old-school dashboard design and mediocre plastic quality, and even today, Dodge hasn't made any major changes to the design.
The dashboard is a single slab of plastic with a few silver accents attached here and there to break the monotonous look. The AC vent is taken directly from the Chrysler parts bin, and it is not going to excite any prospective buyers out there. The black color palette makes it look very drab and less airy too.
Mohith is our in-house motorcycle mechanic and automotive geek. He loves riding and driving at the limits, and you would frequently notice him on racetracks at the weekends. Mohith is someone who would redline anything that comes with a motor - even our office lawnmower. He often does cross-country road trips in his trusted 300ZX and you could find him riding his CB750 quite often through the streets of Pasadena as well as on the Moore Motorsports racetrack.