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2008 Dodge Charger Safety Review

May 30, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

brake feel is terrific
Car and Driver

low roof and steep windshield can make it difficult to see
Cars.com

smooth, controlled stops
Automotive

The 2008 Dodge Charger performs well in crash tests from the federal government, but the insurance industry takes issue with the crash performance of the base Charger, which doesn’t get all the safety gear of high-end versions.

Standard safety gear includes dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction, and stability control on the Charger. Dodge makes side and curtain airbags an option on the base version.

The 2008 Dodge Charger actually performed well in crash tests carried out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Both gave this year’s Dodge Charger superior marks for frontal impact protection. The IIHS’s side and rear impact tests, though, showed that the Charger is "marginal" when outfitted with side airbags.

Cars.com also expressed concern over the 2008 Dodge Charger's visibility issues: "the low roof and steep windshield can make it difficult to see some overhead traffic lights," and the thickness of the A-pillars--which can help protect passengers in rollover accidents--can limit side visibility as well.

Conclusion

The 2008 Dodge Charger performs well when outfitted with a full complement of airbags—but they’re optional on the base model, and the Charger still only rates “marginal” for rear impacts.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:brake feel is terrificCar and Driverlow roof and steep windshield can make it difficult to seeCars.comsmooth, controlled stopsAutomotive The 2008 Dodge Charger performs well in crash tests from the federal government, but the insurance industry takes issue with the crash performance of the base Charger, which doesn’t get all the safety gear of high-end versions. Standard safety gear includes dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction, and stability control on the Charger. Dodge makes side and curtain airbags an option on the base version. The 2008 Dodge Charger actually performed well in crash tests carried out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Both gave this year’s Dodge Charger superior marks for frontal impact protection. The IIHS’s side and rear impact tests, though, showed that the Charger is "marginal" when outfitted with side airbags. Cars.com also expressed concern over the 2008 Dodge Charger's visibility issues: "the low roof and steep windshield can make it difficult to see some overhead traffic lights," and the thickness of the A-pillars--which can help protect passengers in rollover accidents--can limit side visibility as well. ConclusionThe 2008 Dodge Charger performs well when outfitted with a full complement of airbags—but they’re optional on the base model, and the Charger still only rates “marginal” for rear impacts.  2008 DODGE CHARGER STYLING | [8 out of 10] Automotive: "front end tilts forward as if it's leaning into the wind" Car and Driver: "'kangaroo hips'... and a grille that doesn't so earnestly mimic Jay Leno's chin" Edmunds: "muscular styling" Motor Trend: "Styling cues are borrowed ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

About 30 years ago, just about every major manufacturer on the planet (except Mercedes-Benz and BMW) converted nearly every passenger car they had to a front-wheel-drive platform. More recently, Chrysler was among the first builders to rediscover the marketing (and performance) benefits of going rear-wheel drive with its 300, Dodge Magnum wagon, and Dodge Charger. We're glad it did, but that leaves the Charger facing off against several cars that aren't exact competitors. The following cars haven't an ounce of "performance" in their composition. Take the Ford Taurus--it's front-wheel drive and available only with a V-6. Same for the Toyota Avalon and the all-new Chevrolet Malibu. A V-8 can be had in the Buick Lucerne, but Buick's idea of performance is far less brash than Dodge's.

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See the Dodge Charger in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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