2022 Dodge Charger vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2022 Dodge Charger, despite its roots tracing back to a platform from 2005, presented a modern and menacing exterior design that was last heavily facelifted in 2015. This design choice set it apart from its Challenger counterpart, which leaned more into retro muscle-car aesthetics. Inside, the Charger’s cabin felt somewhat dated, with thick bezels and chunky controls reminiscent of a small truck. However, this design offered ease of use, compensating for its lack of modernity. The 2022 model came in various trims, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat and Jailbreak variants, each offering a unique blend of features and power.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Charger maintained much of the design language from its 2015 update, with a sleek nose and sharp LED taillights. The Swinger variant, a Scat Pack with a widebody kit, featured distinctive styling elements like flared fenders and bronze wheels. The interior, largely unchanged since 2011, felt dated with its small touchscreen and plasticky controls, though it offered a familiar and straightforward user experience. The Swinger added unique touches like green stitching and decals, but overall, the cabin lacked the upscale feel found in more modern competitors.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the base SXT model. The GT trim saw a slight increase to 300 hp and 264 lb-ft. The R/T trim introduced a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 394 lb-ft, while the Scat Pack 392 boasted a 6.4-litre V8 delivering 485 hp and 475 lb-ft. The Hellcat variants took performance to another level with a supercharged 6.2-litre V8, producing 717 hp and 650 lb-ft, with the Redeye and Jailbreak models pushing output to 797 hp and 807 hp, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and while rear-wheel drive was standard, the V6 trims offered all-wheel drive. The Hellcat's Widebody setup enhanced handling, allowing for impressive cornering and acceleration.

The 2023 Dodge Charger continued to offer the 3.6-litre V6 engine, shared with other Stellantis brands, producing up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. However, the V6 was overshadowed by the more exciting V8 options. The R/T model featured a 5.7-litre V8 with 370 hp and 395 lb-ft, while the Scat Pack's 6.4-litre V8 delivered 485 hp and 475 lb-ft. The Hellcat models, including the Redeye Jailbreak, offered staggering power with up to 807 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. Despite the immense power, the Hellcats struggled with traction, especially in drag races, but excelled once hooked up. The Charger’s handling was a strong point, with good grip and steering precision, though its large size made it less agile in tight corners.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, while a large sedan, did not always feel spacious inside. The high centre console and performance bucket seats created an intimate driving experience, and while legroom was ample in both rows, headroom was limited, particularly in the rear. The trunk offered 467 litres of space, but its small lid and high bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger provided a versatile combination of sports-car performance and practicality.

The 2023 Dodge Charger also felt tight inside, with limited headroom and cramped footwells. The transmission tunnel further reduced rear legroom, making the back seats less comfortable. The trunk, slightly larger at 470 litres, offered good storage capacity. The Charger's controls were a highlight, with large, easy-to-find buttons and switches for climate and audio systems, providing a user-friendly experience in an era of touchscreen-dominated interfaces.

The 2022 Dodge Charger featured a 7-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. An 8.4-inch version was available on higher trims, offering larger icons and easier navigation. Both screens included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's blend of technology and conventional controls provided a straightforward user experience.

The 2023 Dodge Charger retained the 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering fast and logical menu structures. It included wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and voice recognition. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed for extensive customization of performance settings, including throttle, steering, and transmission. The Performance Pages feature provided real-time data on power and torque, enhancing the driving experience. Despite lacking the latest infotainment advancements, the Charger's technology was functional and engaging.

The 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in terms of safety features, with only a backup camera and rear parking sensors as standard. Optional features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Charger received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but scored a Marginal rating in the IIHS driver’s side overlap test.

The 2023 Dodge Charger performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four stars in most categories and five stars for rear passengers in side tests. However, it lacked standard safety features, offering only rear parking sensors and a backup camera. Optional features included forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The IIHS ratings were based on the 2015 Chrysler 300, raising questions about their relevance to the Charger.