2020 Dodge Charger Review

The 2020 Dodge Charger adds a Widebody package as an option for the Scat Pack model and standard for the Hellcat. So if you want a Charger Hellcat that'll fit in a compact parking space, better act now before the regular body disappears.

The Widebody package pads on 3.5 inches of overall width to the big sedan thanks to integrated fender flares. Under those flares, you get the same 20-by-11-inch wheels as on the Challenger Widebody, shod in meaty 305 section-width Pirellis.

Of course, you also get a beefier suspension and beefier brakes to go along with the extra tire, along with some software tricks such as line lock, launch control and launch assist.

The Charger Hellcat's engine remains the same 707-horsepower absurdity. But thanks to the Hellcat Widebody's tire and software upgrades, the car's quarter-mile time drops by just over eight-tenths of a second from 11.8 seconds to 10.96 seconds, according to Dodge. The carmaker says the 0-60 mph run is dispatched in just 3.6 seconds and a stop from 60 mph takes 107 feet. The Scat Pack Widebody gets all the same upgrades, making for a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a 12.4-second quarter-mile.

And, if you are looking for a way to stand out in a crowd of 2020 Charger Hellcats, there's the Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition Hellcat. It adds 10 hp (717 hp total), a decklid Daytona decal and a few exclusive paint colors. Dodge says it's going to limit production of the 50th Anniversary Charger to just 501 cars.

Our copy editor won't let us spell "old" with 17 L's and a sighing emoji, but that's about how old the Dodge Charger is. And it's running on an even older platform. Dodge has managed to keep the car fresh with visual updates and technology upgrades over the years. But we think the automaker's real trick has been grabbing the public's attention with ever wilder performance to lust after.

When are we getting a new Charger that's actually new and not just a face-lift? Maybe never, but who cares when you can blitz most sports cars and even some of the slower Teslas? Also, fender flares look awesome.

Whether you go with the Scat Pack Widebody or the Hellcat, the Charger is hilariously fun to drive. There's never a lack of smiles to be had when you're burying your foot in the pedal. Burnouts? No problem. Passing maneuvers? Like nothin'. Even if you only use your Scat Pack or Hellcat on the street, it will brighten most gloomy days with a healthy dose of horsepower.

The Scat Pack with the 6.4-liter V8 is fast — like anything with 485 hp should be — and that the Hellcat is ridiculously overpowered. The Widebody treatments don't change that. The extra tire and width add some cornering stability at the absolute limit, which is nice for track-day enthusiasts. But even these wider Pirelli tires lose their grip in a hurry if you aren't careful.

Whether you're driving the Scat Pack or the Hellcat, the steering is vague but heavy, and it gets heavier by selecting the Street, Sport or Track driving mode. With both models, the ride quality is a bit stiffer because of the retuned front suspension, but it's not unbearable or uncomfortable on the highway.

Few vehicles are as powerful and as practical as the Charger is in Scat Pack Widebody trim. Sure, the fuel economy suffers, but you already know that going into the dealership. Everything else is just as practical as it is on the standard Charger. When driving it around town, it's a docile beast that's easy to control and relatively easy to park despite the 3 inches of added width.

The Hellcat is a bit more difficult. Around corners, you need to control your throttle input or it will toss you around as much as it likes. There is a constant realization that this car can break loose and end up sideways in a hurry. Sure, you've got traction control and stability control to help keep you between the lines, but those systems are constantly struggling with the Hellcat's awesome power. Also, it's pretty loud on the interior, especially with the Hellcat powertrain because of its exhaust and supercharger whine. But will you care? Not one bit.

At the Charger Hellcat's price point, it basically has no competition. The next step up is a European performance sedan such as the BMW M5. The Europeans brands are more refined and have all-wheel drive for greater traction, but they're also a lot more expensive.

The standard Scat Pack Charger checks in with an MSRP of $39,995, and the Widebody package ups the ante to $45,995. The Hellcat, with its significant increase in power, has a price of $69,645, while the limited-edition Hellcat Daytona will cost you $74,140. All of these prices are before the $1,495 destination fee as well.