Dodge

The Upside of Dodge: Where the Brand Shines

Dodge's primary strength lies in its performance focus, particularly its muscle cars. The Charger and Challenger are icons of American muscle, offering powerful V8 engine options, including the supercharged Hellcat and Demon variants, that deliver exhilarating acceleration. Dodge vehicles often feature bold and aggressive styling that appeals to enthusiasts. The brand also offers a degree of affordability compared to some performance-oriented competitors, making its high-horsepower models accessible to a wider range of buyers.

The Downside of Dodge: Where it Falls Short

While Dodge excels in performance, it lags behind competitors in several areas. Reliability has historically been a concern for some Dodge models, although recent years have shown some improvement. Fuel economy is generally poor, especially for the V8-powered models. Interior quality and refinement often fall short of rivals, with a focus on functionality over luxury. Dodge's model lineup is also quite limited, lacking the breadth of offerings found at other mainstream and luxury brands.

Dodge's Model Lineup: Notable Cars

Dodge's current lineup in the US is heavily focused on performance. The Dodge Charger, a full-size sedan, offers four doors and a range of powerful engine options, including the supercharged SRT Hellcat and Scat Pack models. The Dodge Challenger, a two-door coupe, is a retro-styled muscle car that competes with the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, and also offers a range of powerful engines. The Dodge Durango, a three-row SUV and it tows the line with optional V8 power and surprisingly sharp handling for a large SUV. Dodge also offers "SRT" versions of the Durango. The Dodge Hornet is a compact CUV based on the Alfa Romeo Tonale. It is too early to tell how it will fit into the market, but the GT models are powered by a turbo four cylinder, and the R/T models have a turbo four cylinder plug-in hybrid.

SRT, Hellcat, Scat Pack, and Demon: Decoding Dodge's Performance Hierarchy

Dodge's performance models can be confusing, with various trim levels and designations. Here's a simplified breakdown:

SRT (Street & Racing Technology): Generally, the high-performance trim for various Dodge (and other Stellantis) models, often featuring a 6.4L Hemi V8.

Scat Pack: A mid-level performance trim for Charger and Challenger, typically powered by a naturally aspirated 6.4-liter Hemi V8, offering a balance of power and affordability.

Hellcat: A high-performance trim for Charger and Challenger, featuring a supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8 with over 700 horsepower.

Demon: An even more extreme, limited-production version of the Challenger, designed for drag racing and boasting over 800 horsepower.

Will Dodge Listen and Bring Back the V8 Charger?

The reception to the electric Charger has been, to put it mildly, lukewarm. Many Dodge enthusiasts feel the brand has lost its way, abandoning the roaring V8s that defined its muscle car heritage. However, hope remains. Dodge CEO Matt McAlear, in an interview with The Drive, stated, "We're always looking at ways to find best-in-class performance...There will be powertrain variations that continue to come...and who knows where we go if the business case makes sense..." Most significantly, he added, "V8s are no longer a bad word around the company." Is this a sign that Dodge is listening to its fans? Could a V8 Charger be on the horizon?

Buying a Used Dodge: Things to Consider

When buying a used Dodge, a thorough pre-purchase inspection is highly recommended. Research the specific model and year for any known reliability issues. Service records are important to verify proper maintenance, especially for performance models. Be aware that V8-powered Dodge vehicles tend to have lower fuel economy and may be more expensive to insure. Consider the previous owner's driving habits, as performance models may have been driven hard.

The Dodge Dealership Experience

Dodge dealerships are often combined with other Stellantis brands (Chrysler, Jeep, Ram). The dealership experience can vary, but you can generally expect a more mainstream, less luxurious atmosphere compared to premium brands. Negotiating discounts is usually possible, and you may find attractive incentives, particularly on outgoing models or vehicles that have been on the lot for a while.

Clutsh's Take on Dodge

Dodge has carved out a niche for itself by focusing on American muscle and performance. The Charger and Challenger, in their various high-performance trims, offer an exhilarating driving experience that's hard to match at their price points. However, potential buyers should be aware of the trade-offs, including fuel economy, reliability concerns, and interior refinement. Dodge is a brand for those who prioritize power and aggressive styling above all else. If you're looking for a vehicle with a lot of attitude and impressive performance figures, Dodge might be the right choice. However, it's crucial to do your research and understand the potential downsides before making a decision.

Dodge's Closest Competitors

Dodge's primary competitors in the muscle car segment are Ford (Mustang) and Chevrolet (Camaro). In the performance sedan market, the Charger competes with vehicles like the Kia Stinger and some sportier versions of mid-size sedans from other brands. The Durango SUV competes with a wide range of three-row SUVs, including the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, and Toyota Highlander.