2021 Dodge Charger

The SXT is the entry-level Charger. It comes with 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, automatic halogen headlights, and LED daytime running lights. Step up to the GT for 20-inch wheels, a hood scoop, LED fog lights, and a performance suspension, or to the R/T for an electronically tuned active exhaust. The Scat Pack is up next with unique 20-inch wheels and high-performance brakes, or you can choose the SRT Hellcat or the Hellcat Redeye for flared fenders, Hellcat-specific 20-inch wheels, and more aggressive bodywork.

The Charger's engine lineup starts with a 3.6-liter V-6 that makes 292 horsepower. The R/T gets its power from a 5.7-liter V-8 with 370 horsepower, and the Scat Pack has a 6.4-liter V-8 that puts out 485 horsepower and generates 475 pound-feet of torque. Both the Hellcat models use a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that delivers 717 horsepower in the regular Hellcat and 797 horsepower in the Redeye.

While the entry-level V-6 engine has more than enough power for the everyday driver, the V-8s give it the extra muscle you want in a performance vehicle. All the engines use an eight-speed automatic transmission, and Dodge offers the SXT and the GT with all-wheel drive. The Charger is fast. The SXT and GT will accelerate up to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, and the Scat Pack will get there in 4.3 seconds.

There's room for five people in the Charger, and everyone has space to spread out. Power-adjustable front seats come standard along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth upholstery. Move up through the trim to the Scat Pack for heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and driver's seat memory settings, or to the Hellcat for heated rear seats and heated and ventilated front seats. The Hellcat also has a heated, flat-bottomed, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. The entry-level Charger has a 7-inch touch screen and comes with Bluetooth, a 6-speaker stereo system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the Uconnect 4 infotainment system, and two USB ports. A 19-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo is available for the R/T and up, while the GT and up have an 8.4-inch touch screen.

Every Charger has a rearview camera and rear parking sensors. Except for the Hellcat and Hellcat Redeye, all trims offer the Technology Group if you want some added driver aids. This package includes features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and a forward-collision warning with automatic braking. You can also get automatic high beam headlights, and if you have either of the Hellcats, they come standard with the blind-spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert.