2011 Dodge Charger review: Big screen included
The new Charger's infotainment system shows up on a large, 8.4 inch touchscreen, and includes Garmin navigation. The car drives competently and is a dying breed of rear-wheel-drive sedan.
Mixing the old and new, the 2011 Charger continues as a rear wheel drive car, yet gets an infotainment system with a big, 8.4 inch touch screen.
The name Charger evokes early '70s muscle, but the 2011 model we drove was modest in the power department, using Dodge's 3.6-liter V-6. That did not keep it from being a thoroughly competent car, a multi-purpose big sedan useful for the daily commute and weekend road trips. In Rallye Plus trim the cabin showed a surprisingly tilt toward luxury.
But what had our tech-happy hearts fluttering was the new infotainment system and Alpine audio system. An 8.4 inch touch screen sits in the dashboard, its menu strip precluding the need for an array of ugly plastic buttons littering the cabin.
Garmin navigation software, integrated with the system, delivered excellent route guidance, and Dodge included useful data from Sirius, such as gas prices and a weather forecast. We found the stereo very usable through this interface and enjoyed the sound from the Alpine system.
Our only caveat is that the 2012 model should be even better, as it will have an eight speed automatic transmission.
Check out our review of the 2011 Dodge Charger.