Full-size cars are a must if you’re a car shopper with a gaggle of friends, a big family, or a whole lot of stuff. However, if you want your full-size car with a torquey V6 or V8 muscle car soundtrack, you’ve got one real option. The Dodge Charger is the only muscle car on Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB’s) list of the cheapest full-size cars under $40,000.

Are Dodge Chargers expensive cars?

The 2022 Dodge Charger starts at $34,095 for the SXT up to $87,090 for the SRT Jailbreak. Not surprisingly, the SXT and its 303-horsepower 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine is the most affordable option for a Charger under $40,000. According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the Charger has a five-year cost of $49,164. While that may seem steep, that number puts the Dodge muscle sedan in the number three spot of full-size cars. 

Is a Dodge Charger a full-size car?

Not only is the Dodge Charger a full-size car with seating for five, but many people also consider it a muscle car. While the most affordable variant is down on power, the Charger lineup offers a library of horsepower-infused V8 engines. For instance, if you want a naturally aspirated muscle sedan with nearly 500 horsepower, you could opt for the R/T Scat Pack without sacrificing practicality. However, you’ll have to address the $48,980 starting price. 

Are Chargers difficult to maintain?

The Dodge Charger is comparable to the Chrysler 300 in maintenance and ownership costs. That said, a supercharged assortment of Hellcat engines have forced-induction technology that might require extra attention over the years. Also, unlike the V6 Chrysler 300, the V8-powered Chargers are pretty thirsty, with the 5.7L R/T trim getting around 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. 

According to KBB, Dodge’s full-size car has a five-year maintenance cost of $3,666. In addition to maintenance costs, the Dodge Charger demanded an average of $1,846 in repair costs over the same period. 

Are Dodge Chargers expensive on insurance?

The Dodge Charger has an average $5,455 five-year insurance rate, making it the most expensive car to insure on KBB’s list of the most affordable full-size vehicles. Still, insuring V8-powered variants pushes that average rate much higher. For instance, Insure.com says that insuring a 2022 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat has an average annual premium of $3,391. That means insuring the Hellcat could cost around three times as much as the SXT over five years, depending on location, age, gender, and driving record. 

Should you buy a Dodge Charger instead of the other cheapest full-size cars?

If you want a muscular full-size sedan for under $40,000, the Dodge Charger is a solid option. However, if you want a different American sedan, consider the Chrysler 300 with the same Pentastar V6 engine. Furthermore, KBB recommends the Toyota Avalon Hybrid if you want fuel economy above all else. 

Scroll down to the following article to read more about the Charger!