2016 Dodge Charger

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Rating8.0
Write Review
$27,995 - $65,945
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Efficient transmission system

Substandard fuel economy V8 engine

New Black Appearance Package

Blistering V8 engine

Constrained cargo space

Super Track Pack for V6 models

Intuitive infotainment system

Enticing design

Specs & Features

$30,245

price

292 hp @ 6350 rpm

horsepower

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.6L 6cyl AWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The midsize sedan segment has seen a meteoric rise in success over the last few decades and the Dodge Charger has been at the forefront of this change. It packs brute American power into an everyday vehicle. It is more utilitarian as compared to its sibling, the Dodge Challenger while upholding performance and practicality.

Buying Advice

Amongst the trim levels, we recommend opting for the 2016 Dodge Charger SXT that makes use of a Pentastar V6 engine to deliver its performance. At a diminutive price difference, it adds functional specifications over and above the base variant and most importantly provides an option to be channeled as an RWD or AWD variant. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

For the MY 2016, Dodge has sought to introduce minimal changes to the Charger. Apart from it, the 2016 Charger is still an agile and versatile sedan that continues to compete against the Toyota Avalon, Ford Taurus, and Chrysler 300. Does the latest iteration hold enough competitive merit, let’s find out.

Features
9.0/10

The 2016 Dodge Charger is offered in six different trim levels, each of which shares a distinct feature set. In addition, there are two engine and drivetrain options to choose from. It falls in a defined price range that extends from $27,995 for the base variant to $50,995 for the top-tier trim. Some of the exclusive trim-wise features include:

Trim

SE

SXT

R/T

Road and Track

R/T Scat Pack

SRT 392

MSRP (RWD)

$27,995

$29,995

$33,895

$36,895

$39,995

$50,995

MSRP (AWD)

$30,495

$31,995

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Key Features

All-season front and rear tires

Adds to or retains features of SE

Adds to or retains features of SXT

Adds to or retains features of R/T

Adds to or retains features of Road and Track

Adds to or retains features of R/T Scat Pack

 

Tire Pressure Monitor

Front and rear performance tires

V8 engine option

Heated Front Seats

Passenger Lumbar

Heated Steering Wheel

 

Cruise Control

Fog Lamps

Fog Lamps

Fog Lamps

Rearview Camera

Heated Mirrors

 

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Universal Garage Door Opener

Universal Garage Door Opener

Universal Garage Door Opener

Powered Passenger Seat

Leather Upholstery

 

Keyless entry

Heated Mirrors

Heated Mirrors

Heated Mirrors

Cruise Control

Mirror Memory

We Recommend

Amongst the trim levels, we recommend opting for the 2016 Dodge Charger SXT that makes use of a Pentastar V6 engine to deliver its performance. At a diminutive price difference, it adds functional specifications over and above the base variant and most importantly provides an option to be channeled as an RWD or AWD variant. 

Engine and Performance
8.1/10

The 2016 Dodge Charger comes equipped with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine option that belts out 292hp and 260lb.-ft of torque. It comes mated to an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission unit that is butter smooth in its shifts and never seems to be in the wrong gear. While the transmission unit is standard on all trims, the midsize sedan also offers a V8 engine with the R/T and the SRT 392 trims. While the V6 engines offer both FWD and AWD options, the V8 units do not offer AWD options.

In terms of drivability, the 2016 Dodge Charger is both precise in its handling and maneuverability. It is immensely responsive to throttle and the riding excitement only increases with the V8 trims. A V6 engine-equipped Charger can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and can breach the quarter-mile mark in 14.8 seconds.

Model

Dodge Charger

Ford Taurus

Toyota Avalon

Chrysler 300 S

MSRP

$31,995

$31,390

$35,850

$38,095

Engine

3.6L V6

3.5L V6

3.5L V6

3.6L V6

Drivetrain

AWD

AWD

FWD

AWD

Transmission

8-speed automatic

6-speed automatic

6-speed automatic

8-speed automatic

Power

292hp

288hp

268hp

300hp

Torque

260lb.-ft

254lb.-ft

248lb.-ft

264lb.-ft

0-60 MPH (seconds)

6.4 seconds

6.3 seconds

6.4 seconds

6.6 seconds

Quarter mile (mph)

14.8 seconds

15.1 seconds

14.8 seconds

15.1 seconds

Top speed (mph)

N/A

151 MPH

N/A

157 MPH

While all competitors make use of a V6 engine, the 2016 Toyota Avalon bears distinction by being an FWD variant. Despite its lower outputs of 268hp and 248lb.-ft, it manages similar timings as the Dodge in both tests. The 2016 Ford Taurus is the quickest to the 60-mph mark taking 6.3 seconds, however, it falls to the last place in the quarter-mile run taking 15.1 seconds. The most expensive 2016 Chrysler 300 S produces 300hp of power but lurks at the bottom of the table when performance is concerned.

Fuel Economy
8.1/10

The 2016 Dodge Charger maintains impressive fuel efficiency keeping in mind the performance it delivers. It averages 19 MPG in the city, 31 MPG on the highway, and 23 MPG combined. Its fuel tank is considerably sized and can hold 18.5-gallons, which directly helps in improving the range it covers. In the city, the 2016 Charger manages to cover 352 miles in a single fuel stop, which increases to 573 miles on the highway. However, efficiency falls with the V8 option.

Model

Dodge Charger

Ford Taurus

Toyota Avalon

Chrysler 300 S

MPG (city)

19

17

21

18

MPG (Highway)

31

24

31

27

MPG (Combined)

23

19

24

21

Fuel Capacity

18.5-gallons

19 gallons

17 gallons

19.1 gallons

Range (City/highway)

352/573 miles

323/456 miles

357/527 miles

343.8/515.7 miles

The 2016 Avalon is the most efficient option averaging a combined efficiency of 24 MPG. However, Toyota equips the sedan with a small fuel tank that can hold only 17-gallons. On the other hand, the Ford and Chrysler are rather less efficient averaging 19 and 21 MPG, respectively but sport the largest fuel tanks. The 2016 Taurus, however, manages the lowest range averaging 323 and 456 miles in the city and on the highway.

Interior
8.1/10

The 2016 Dodge Charger’s interiors have more room than the Challenger. The addition of actual rear seats where people can sit is very convenient. However, the rear seats are nowhere near a luxury sedan in terms of room and comfort. While the front seats bestow maximum pleasure, the cargo capacity of 16.5 cubic feet feels underwhelming.

In terms of design and setup, the 2016 Dodge Charger sports an ergonomic cabin. Each usable element is placed in the vicinity of the driver and is curated to cater to the driver’s dynamics. The tranquility of the cabin is noteworthy. There is ample storage space on the inside including the glove compartment and box between the driver and passenger seats.

Model

Dodge Charger

Ford Taurus

Toyota Avalon

Chrysler 300 S

Passenger capacity

5

5

5

5

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

38.6/59.5/41.8

39/57.9/41.9

37.6/58.2/42.1

38.6/59.5/41.8

Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

36.6/57.9/40.1

37.8/56.9/38.1

37.9/57/39.2

37.9/57.7/40.1

Cargo Capacity (cu. Ft)

16.5

20.1

16

16.3

When compared to the competitors, the 2016 Toyota Avalon has maximum space upfront. However, it is the Chrysler 300 that provides best-in-class comfort for rear-seat occupants, while the Ford Taurus has comparable space but exceeds in cargo capacity having a total trunk volume of 20.1 cubic feet.

Some of the salient interior features include:

  • Dual-zone Climate Control
  • Interior Air Filtration
  • Electrochromic Rearview Mirror
  • Front and Rear Cupholders
  • Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2016 Dodge Charger?

The 2016 Dodge Charger features a central touchscreen which is either a 5-inch or 8.4-inch unit depending on the trim you opt for. Irrespective, it is intuitive and easy to use and gets surrounded by large knobs and buttons for better control. Some of the salient infotainment features include:

  • USB Ports
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Uconnect Smartphone Integration
  • 6-speaker sound system
  • Navigation System
  • Memory Card Slot

Exterior
8.1/10

The 2016 Dodge Charger, unlike the Challenger, does not resemble its ancestors from the 60s. The Charger is completely changed and looks tasteful. The traditional Dodge grille that sits upfront adds familiarity to the overall design, while the headlights and fog lamps are rather imposing in their appearance. At the rear-end, the adjoined taillamps with the spoiler give it a true sports car-like appearance.

In its dimensions and proportions, the 2016 Dodge Charger fits perfectly in the segment. It is one of the heavier sedans in the segment and weighs 4,188 lbs. It is impressively long and sports the longest wheelbase of 120.3 inches. However, its low-slung does mean a lower height and ground clearance than competitors measuring 58.2 and 4.9 inches, respectively.

Model

Dodge Charger

Ford Taurus

Toyota Avalon

Chrysler 300 S

Curb weight (lbs.)

4,188

4,196

3,461

4,235

Length(in)

198.4

202.9

195.3

198.6

Width(in)

75

76.2

72.2

75

Height(in)

58.2

60.7

57.5

59.2

Ground clearance (in)

4.9

N/A

5.5

4.8

Wheelbase (in)

120.2

112

111

120.2

The 2016 Chrysler 300 is rather similar in dimensions to the Dodge. It shares a similar length, wheelbase, and width. However, is an inch taller and is also the heaviest vehicle weighing 4,235 lbs. The Toyota Avalon on the other hand is the lightest sedan weighing 3,461 lbs. While its wheelbase is shorter, the 2016 Ford Taurus is the longest, widest, and tallest vehicle in the segment measuring 202.9, 76.2, and 60.7 inches, respectively.

Some of the salient exterior features of the 2016 Dodge Charger include:

  • LED head and taillamps
  • Dodge Crosshair grille
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Exhaust Pipes
  • 18-inch Wheels
  • Black Appearance Package

Safety
8.9/10

The 2016 Dodge Charger sports a sturdy and muscular body structure that ensures top-notch safety and reliability. It gets awarded with the highest possible scores by the NHTSA and IIHS, which backs its capabilities. It comes equipped with standard features like electronic roll mitigation, a vehicle security system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Some of the other safety features on the 2016 Dodge Charger include:

  • Hill Start Assist
  • Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
  • Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Front seat belts-tensioners and load limiters
  • Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones
  • Energy-absorbing steering column

Final Verdict

The 2016 Dodge Charger is a perfect mix of utility and fun. It combines the best of both worlds with its cogent engine lineup and a practical driving experience that makes it one of the better cars in the segment. Overall, the Charger is more potent than some of the competitors and easy to live with. It is offered in a number of trims that help it cater to a large section of society making it an apt fit in the segment.

Trims

    SE
    $27,995 onwards
    • 20-inch silver forged aluminum Wheels
    SXT
    $29,995 onwards
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    R/T
    $33,895 onwards
    • Engine: 5.7L 8cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 370 hp @ 5250 rpm hp
    • Torque: 395 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.2 sec
    • Top Speed: 170 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 19 mpg
    R/T Road/Track
    $33,895 onwards
    • Engine: 5.7L 8cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 370 hp @ 5250 rpm hp
    • Torque: 395 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.2 sec
    • Top Speed: 170 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 19 mpg
    R/T Road & Track
    $36,895 onwards
    • Engine: 5.7L 8cyl 8A
    • Horsepower: 370 hp @ 5250 rpm hp
    • Torque: 395 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.1 sec
    • Top Speed: 152 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 19 mpg
    R/T Scat Pack
    $39,995 onwards
    • Engine: 6.4L 8cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 485 hp @ 6100 rpm hp
    • Torque: 475 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.4 sec
    • Top Speed: 182 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 18 mpg
    SRT 392
    $50,995 onwards
    • Engine: 6.4L 8cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 485 hp @ 6100 rpm hp
    • Torque: 475 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.8 sec
    • Top Speed: 165 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 18 mpg
    SRT Hellcat
    $65,945 onwards
    • Engine: 6.2L 8cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 707 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 650 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.2 sec
    • Top Speed: 175 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 16 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$27,995- $65,945

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.04

Horsepower

707 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

650 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$94,100

Gasoline

8.82

560 hp @ 6000 rpm

500 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$31,065- $40,675

Gasoline

7.75

304 hp @ 6800 rpm

264 lb.-ft. @ 5300 rpm

5

Read Review

$46,575

Gasoline

7.28

415 hp @ 5900 rpm

415 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm

5

Read Review

$25,830- $40,810

Gasoline

7.97

300 hp @ 6500 rpm

262 lb.-ft. @ 5300 rpm

6

Read Review

$32,260- $45,190

Gasoline

8.05

292 hp @ 6350 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

$27,110- $40,275

Gasoline

7.42

288 hp @ 6500 rpm

254 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$26,950- $53,850

Gasoline

8.18

311 hp @ 6000 rpm

293 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,990- $44,090

Gasoline

7.91

293 hp @ 6400 rpm

255 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

5

Read Review

$84,440

Gasoline

9.31

467 hp @ 7100 rpm

389 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

2016 Dodge Charger vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.6 sec15.1 sec142 mph
    2016 BMW M5

    Ranked #1

    3.7 sec11.9 sec-
    4.4 sec12.6 sec177 mph
    5 sec13.1 sec-
    5.9 sec--
    6.1 sec14.5 sec-

    2016 Dodge Charger vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      19 mpg31 mpg23 mpg18.5 gal.351.5/573.5 mi.
      22 mpg30 mpg25 mpg18 gal.396/540 mi.
      21 mpg30 mpg24 mpg17 gal.357/527 mi.
      19 mpg31 mpg23 mpg18.5 gal.362.9/592.1 mi.
      19 mpg28 mpg22 mpg18.5 gal.351.5/518 mi.
      18 mpg29 mpg22 mpg20.3 gal.365.4/588.7 mi.

      2016 Dodge Charger vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        198.4 in.75 in.58.2 in.4.9 in.120.2 in.
        202.9 in.76.2 in.60.7 in.5.1 in.112.9 in.
        200.4 in.72.9 in.58.7 in.7 in.110.5 in.
        198.6 in.75 in.58.4 in.4.7 in.120.2 in.
        196.9 in.73.1 in.59.2 in.7 in.111.7 in.
        196.5 in.74.4 in.58.3 in.5.3 in.118.5 in.

        2016 Dodge Charger vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          16.5 cu.ft.104.7 cu.ft.150 cu.ft.
          13.3 cu.ft.142.7 cu.ft.83.2 cu.ft.
          20.1 cu.ft.102.2 cu.ft.59.9 cu.ft.
          16.4 cu.ft.112 cu.ft.16.4 cu.ft.
          2016 BMW M5

          Ranked #5

          14 cu.ft.108.1 cu.ft.73.3 cu.ft.
          18.6 cu.ft.101.5 cu.ft.18.6 cu.ft.

          2016 Dodge Charger vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            150 cu.ft.16.5 cu.ft.150 cu.ft.-
            14 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.20.1 cu.ft.59.9 cu.ft.67 ft.
            57.3 cu.ft.18.6 cu.ft.18.6 cu.ft.-
            15.3 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.-
            76.3 cu.ft.16.4 cu.ft.16.4 cu.ft.98 ft.

            2016 Dodge Charger vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -1015 lbs.3934 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3895 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3505 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-4029 lbs.
              1000 lbs.1140 lbs.3555 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3917 lbs.

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              Horsepower : 292 hp @ 6350 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 6.6 sec

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              2016 Dodge Charger User Reviews

              0.7

              [3 Reviews]

              1

              [33.0%] [1 Reviews]

              2

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              POPULAR TAGS

              DM

              Diego Mosquera

              2016 Dodge Charger

              Police 4dr Sedan AWD (5.7L 8cyl 370 hp 5A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 18, 2024

              The 3.6 charger

              Pros - ["⢠I love the body of the car, from the hood to the side doors.", "the exhaust on this car looks good for stock"]

              Cons - ["The fuel economy on this car isn't so good", "common problems with the engine"]

              This 3.6 VVT has a good amount of power, pushing 292hp this is a perfect daily driver .All you need are some simple modifications and a lot of gasoline. My favorite thing about this car is the modern taillight. The 17in alloy rims clean up nice.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              MO

              Moise Ortiz

              2016 Dodge Charger

              SE 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 11, 2024

              Great car to own

              Pros - ["Interior space", "Dependability"]

              Cons - ["Cheap interior", "Backseat comfort"]

              This car is a dream. It is the safest vehicle I have bought. It is also pretty good on gas considering it is a V6. I get anywhere from 18 to 21 mpg in the city and 24 to 33 mpg on the expressway. The traction control on this rear wheel drive vehicle is amazing in the snow. I have never gotten stuck in Chicago with the winters as they are. The air conditioning is amazing, ice cold car in about 5 m...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              JS

              Joshua Strauf

              2016 Dodge Charger

              SE 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

              2

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: May 9, 2024

              2016 dodge charger pursuit

              Pros - The performance on the radio option is awesome, The u conect radio is amazing

              Cons - One thing I don't care about it is the way it handles when there is snow on the roads mine sways back and forth really bad to the point it's kinda scary like the rear is gonna swipe right out, The mpg is terrible

              Overall I would buy another charger but the next one would be hellcat or the new twin turbo V6 ... The hemi has tons of power all the way with the 3.07 gearing in it from down low to the top end it just keeps on pulling .. the mpg isn't the greatest especially with the AWD model I only get like 13-15 mpg if im lucky depending on how I drive but not that great that's for sure .the interior is very...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review