We have always known the Dodge Charger to be a performance car with plenty of speed, power, and road control. Since it shares many features the Challenger does, people often mistake them for each other. But the way the Charger handles, and the fact that it’s a four-door, makes it stand out more than the Challenger.

With the 2021 version, the Charger appeals to more than just muscle car enthusiasts, though. Families, who want the power with the extra interior space, have their eyes on it too. Autotrader reviews this model and explains what makes it so special. 

What’s new for the 2021 Dodge Charger?

There are two big features the Charger brings with it for the new model year. One is for the GT trim level. While it still has the V6 engine and a standard rear-wheel drivetrain, 2021 brings with it a new option to add to the mix. You can now choose all-wheel drive if you want more control of your wheels. 

The next big feature that has many Dodge enthusiasts excited for is that there’s a new trim level in the lineup. The SRT Hellcat Redeye comes with the 6.2-liter V8 engine that’s tuned to put out a whopping 797 hp. That’s quite a bit more than their non-Redeye version. 

What’s good about this model of the Charger?

The 2021 Dodge Charger has another Hellcat model that isn’t as powerful as the Redeye version, but it still puts out plenty of power.

Safety ratings for the Charger are also pretty good. NHTSA gave it an overall score of five stars, while the IIHS rated it good in most areas except for the small overlap front tests, which earned a marginal rating. The headlights didn’t measure up either. Those received a poor score for the lack of illumination range. 

There are two impressive features of the new Charger that critics really liked. One is the easy-to-use infotainment system that has plenty of features to play with. The other is the roomy interior. 

You can seat four people comfortably in the Charger. A fifth person could be added, but it might be a tiny bit cramped. The trunk has 16.5 cubic feet of storage space, which is a good amount for a family to use. 

The new Charger handles the road pretty well. The ride is fairly smooth and doesn’t have as much road or wind noise as other rivals do. With acceleration times of 3.5 seconds for a 0 to 60 run, it’s one of the fastest Dodge vehicles out there. 

Where do critics think it could use some work?

One of the most disappointing things about the new 2021 Dodge Charger was the drivetrain. Having the powerful V8’s are great, but you won’t get the option to add the all-wheel drive feature. It’s available, but it’s only for the models with the V6 engines. 

The back seat has a decent amount of space, but AutoTrader felt it didn’t quite match some of its rivals. The quality of the materials used also failed to impress them. 

AutoTrader felt the Charger was getting a little outdated as it’s been around for quite some time with few changes under its belt. Exterior styling isn’t bad on this model, though, but they could use more if it’s to remain relevant. 

Kelley Blue Book feels it might be more expensive than its rivals. Even though prices haven’t been released yet, they estimate that the Hellcat will cost around $70,000, while the Redeye version would cost approximately $75,000. The base model could run $32,000 approximately. 

The 2021 Dodge Charger is an all-American muscle car that’s more than just a performance vehicle. It has plenty of interior space and amenities that make it a pretty decent family sedan as well.