First drive: 2015 Dodge Charger V6, R/T and Pursuit in Washington D.C. USA (video)

First drive: 2015 Dodge Charger V6, R/T and Pursuit in Washington D.C. USA (video)

2015 Dodge Charger

With all the hype over the Dodge Charger Hellcat, people seem to have forgotten that there is an entire range of 2015 Charger sedans positioned below it. At the end of the day, the biggest sellers are going to be the Charger V6 and Charger R/T models, and while everyone was busy playing with the SRTs like little kids, we snuck out with the “regular” Chargers for a spin during our recent trip to the United States. Heck, we even drove the police “Pursuit” model as well.

2015 Dodge Charger 17

The 2015 Charger looks like it got a simple facelift, but apparently every body panel, except the roof and rear doors, has been changed. New features include reshaped diffused LED running lamps and tail lights, as well as a more angled crease on the front door. Whether the new face is a success is a matter of personal taste, but it looks aggressive enough with the darkened headlights.

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The interior is largely unchanged, although the previous one was perfectly fine to begin with. The only obvious is new feature is the standard LCD gauge-cluster. Also, the electronic gear-shifter action has been simplified. Most upper surfaces are covered in soft-touch materials or upholstery, whether cloth or leather, with further premium touches such as cloth on the pillars and metallic trim on the dash.

The class-leading UConnect multimedia touchscreen carries over unchanged, and is available in everything but the most basic trims.

The full-size Charger is nicely spacious inside too, although only a little more so than a typical midsize sedan. The boot is generously proportioned, while there are enough cup-holders and pockets inside.

2015 Dodge Charger 25

The 2015 Charger V6 feels a lot like the outgoing version, precisely because it continues with the 292 hp 3.6-litre V6 and 8-speed automatic combo. A Rallye package adds a sportier look and bumps up the power to 300 hp using freer-flowing air-intake and exhaust systems. But as before, the acceleration feels entirely adequate rather than fast, with seamless shifts and a smooth quiet ride.

Handling is also as good as it was before, with no more than moderate body roll in sharp turns and no bounciness whatsoever. The brake feel is good, while the new electric power steering offers a smidge of artificial-feeling feedback and a nice level of firmness.

2015 Dodge Charger 3

The 2015 Charger R/T also gets a carryover engine, namely the 370 hp 5.7-litre V8 with fuel-saving cylinder-deactivation tech, but now benefits from the 8-speed automatic as well, replacing the old 5-speed. Any improvements in acceleration aren’t readily apparent, but it offers up a nice initial kick followed by a gradual ramp-up of speed.

It’s just as smooth and quiet a highway cruiser as the V6 version, with similar steering, handling and brakes, only with a nice V8 growl on every stomp of the throttle. It’s also a heck of a lot of fun at U-turns and on dirt trails, as it likes go drifty-drifty with the ESP off.

2015 Dodge Charger 6

The 2015 Charger Pursuit is the police version of the R/T, but it can also be had with a V6. The most obvious differences from the regular car include the high-profile tyres on smaller steel wheels and a flat featureless centre-console to hold police computers and other gadgetry, moving the shifter up to the steering column. For that last reason, the transmission is the old 5-speed automatic.

We drove it around a racetrack and the handling feels noticeably softer, likely the effect of the fatter tyres as well as the extra weight of police equipment such as lights and sirens, a bigger battery and power distribution centre, ballistic door panels and steel seat-back inserts. Otherwise, we assume, it is likely the best-handling American police sedan around.

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The 2015 Dodge Charger continues to be the most bang for the buck in its segment, better than ever with upgrades such as the new gearbox to go with the meaty engine choices, rear-wheel-drive, smooth quiet ride, good handling and class-leading interior. If you’re in the market for an affordable full-size sedan, there’s no car better, and we’re not even talking about the insane Charger SRT models.

For detailed specs, visit the Dodge buyer guide.

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Comments

  1. When is the SRT 392 Charger 2015 coming to UAE/KSA?

  2. It’s coming in March

  3. It’s a good looking car but the interior is a letdown for me. It looks outdated, especially the dashboard.

  4. Guys…. The 2015 charger and hellcat versions will be available in March while the 2015 challenger v6 and rt(aed 173000) are already available.
    Also, 2014 models are being sold at discounted prices,
    Charger rt full options – aed 125000
    Challenger rt full options – aed 130000
    Charger srt8 – aed 159900/-

    • Thanks for the info. I have been told from someone inside Dodge Saudi Arabia that both Charger SRT 392 2015 and Charger SRT Hellcat 2015 are coming end of Jan 2015. Don’t know how reliable the info is.

  5. lovely exterior, pathetic interior .. resembles a wh**e

  6. Me got the 2015 challenger sxt plus. Beautiful car. Me loving it.

  7. any idea whwn the 2015 charger v6 or v8 will launch in oman ???

  8. did they ever solve the spare tire issue.
    being taking the huge space in the trunk?

  9. So any update on 2015 SRT Chargers coming in Feb or Mar in Saudi Arabia and UAE?

  10. Hi.
    Nice review.
    But with the 2015 version of the car now supposedly available in the GCC, isn’t it time to update the NOT YET SOLD designation and publish the prices. I’m going to be in the market for one very soon and your website is my reserch tool.
    Thanks.

  11. Saw one in black color parked near karama market, looked cool if u dont compare with previous generation charger….

  12. Charger 2015 price list in Saudi Arabia
    Charger / SE 116,999 SR
    Charger / SXT 134,999 SR
    Charger / Rallye 138,999 SR
    Charger / RT Full House 145,999 SR
    Charger / RT Road Track 165,999 SR

    No info on SRT 392 or SRT Hellcat yet.

  13. Seems like 2015 Charger SRT 392 will be SR 228,000 and 2015 Charger SRT Hellcat would be SR 280,000 in Saudi Arabia.

  14. Any update on the availability for the SRT 392 yet?

  15. Dodge Charger SRT 392 is SR 224,000 in Saudi Arabia.

  16. Dear Mash

    I am planning to buy a dodge charger 2014 for discounted rate and when I checked with the car dealer he said 2014 and 2015 charger SE is same there is no difference in performance. now if I take a look at my daily driver I spend about 150 daily driving from my site to home. Do you think charger is advisable in this sort of scenario. and what will be the cost of maintenance of the car will be very expensive one. help me out in this one

    • Author

      It burns as much fuel as any other V6, and will depend on your driving. For latest service costs, call up the service center. They have fixed prices, every 10k km.

  17. Disappointed with the pricing of Charger SXT in UAE. I was quoted 145,000/- for SXT. Whereas I understand from previous posts that the Rallye group costs less than that in KSA!
    I’m almost finalised on it but not satisfied.

  18. Anyone know about charger scat pack ? Is that available in saudi arabia ?

  19. Hi All,

    Anyone has a first hand experience of driving 2015 charger for long term?

    I am looking at buying a used 2015 Charger SE 3600CC which has been driven 12,000 km. I think I might be able to squeeze it for Qatari Riyal 80,000. What issues should be careful about and any feedbacks?

    Thanks

  20. Hi Guys,

    Any current drivers of 2015/16 Charger here? How’s your long term experience with the car? Any areas of concern?

    I am looking at buying a used 2015 Charger RT. It has around 15,000 km on odometer. What should I double check before buying?

    Thanks

  21. Hi Everyone,
    I am planning to buy a Dodge charger 3.6L 2015 model here in Dubai, UAE.
    I got a considerable city run daily, so it will be of great help if any Dodge charger 2015 user could share their experience. I am especially looking on the fuel consumption, service and spares.

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