30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Gas Mileage, So Far
As we roll through our 30-day road test of the 2013 Ram 1500, we're ready to file our first report... Read More
- #5LEADERBOARD RANK
- 5170ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
- 111COMMENTS POSTED
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.
