Last year when I test drove the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum I came away impressed by the Hemi but disappointed by the handling. With fairly soft suspensions, touring tires, and insufficiently bolstered seats, these cars just weren't meant for tackling curvy roads. Very traditionally American that way. Since agile handling matters more to me than forceful acceleration, I didn't emerge from these test drives in love.

Then the SRT8 versions arrived, with Viper-like seats and firmer suspensions. I've only driven these at a track, and thus my impressions likely differed from what they would have been on public streets. But they definitely seemed a big step in the right direction. Problem is, they cost quite a bit more and get dreadful fuel economy. For someone like me, who found the 5.7 plenty powerful, this is too steep a price for decent seats and handling.

But what if the seats and suspension from the SRT8 were available with the 5.7? Well, for 2006 they are, in the Charger at least. Seats and suspension tuning much like those of the SRT8, plus a ten horse boost for the 5.7, to 350, are included in two packages available on the Charger R/T.

The first, a "Road/Track Performance Group," includes these functional bits plus "Convenience Group II" for $1,600. Since the Convenience Group II, which includes heated seats, a power passenger seat, automatic climate control, power pedals, and automatic headlights, normally costs $955, the performance bits only add $645. A no-brainer for someone like me.

For those who want the world to know they've got a special car, all of the above plus unique exterior graphics, a spoiler, and interior trim bits are included in the $2,500 Daytona package. This package is further available only with two unique, sixties-inspired colors, Top Banana (yellow) and Go Mango (a copperish orange).

My personal preference would be to skip the loud Daytona bits, but the dealership where I expressed interest in sampling the upgraded suspension and seats ordered only a fully loaded mango Daytona. So that's what I ended up driving.

In an earlier review I evaluated the base 3.5-liter Charger. This one focuses on my test drive of the Daytona.

Styling

The Charger has totally different styling than the 300 and Magnum. Meant to recall the Chargers of the 1960s, it also bears more than a little resemblance to Ford's similarly retro new Mustang. I wouldn't be the first person to suggest that the Charger might be the car for those who want a Mustang but need four doors.

Even more than the 300 (but likely not as much as the Magnum) the Charger's styling will resonate with a particular slice of the market: those people who continue to long for the muscle cars of the 1960s. From my visits to the boards I know that a vocal minority of these people are disappointed. Some would prefer a two-door Charger. Others regret that the production Charger isn't nearly as striking as the much swoopier concept car that toured the auto shows a few years ago. But with no close alternative even these people seem to view the Charger as a sedan with, well, no close alternative. Ultimately, this particular slice of the market seems to approve of the car--and want one.

I'm not part of this market, but I do admire how well Chrysler was able to craft a distinctive if not entirely attractive look for the car. No one will mistake it for a 300. As much as two cars can based on unique sheetmetal alone the two should appeal to different markets.

To this styling the Daytona package adds some very retro, and very obvious, black graphics on the hood and flanks and black spoilers on the chin and trunk. While I wouldn't want to own the resulting car personally, I realize that the Charger isn't really my sort of car. And I suspect that those who do find the Charger's styling appealing will like it even more in Daytona form. As much as they aren't my style, the graphics and spoilers further realize the aesthetic theme of the car.

This time around I noticed that the aluminum trunk closes with a very tinny sound. The spoiler might exacerbate this.

Inside the typical Charger looks identical to the 300 and Magnum. There might be differences, but you would have to closely compare the cars to spot them (and I haven't). This isn't such a good thing. Interior styling has been the LXs' weakest aspect. Much like the interiors of American sedans of yore, these look and feel very spartan and even cheap. The materials are actually of higher quality than they appear. In the uplevel trims bright trim helps, but the SE I drove was as dour inside as they come. It doesn't help that the only available colors are shades of gray.

To this interior the Daytona package adds body-color panels on the instrument panel and console, orange in the case of the car I drove. The seats include body-color stitching. Though again not my personal style, I did appreciate that these additions inject a healthy dose of color into the otherwise drab interior.

Accommodations

Like the other LXs, the Charger is very roomy inside. The SRT-like front seats included in the Daytona package provide far more lateral support than the regular seats, and I personally found them more comfortable even in typical suburban driving.

I remember a more comfortably positioned rear seat in the 300, with a cushion higher off the floor and a more upright seatback. But could be wrong about this. As it is, the rear seat is reasonably comfortable, but not especially so.

The trunk is usefully large and the rear seat folds in two sections for long loads. A large storage compartment resides beneath the center armrest.

On the Road

The Daytona includes ten additional horsepower for the Hemi V8, but I'm not I felt any difference. This isn't quite three percent, after all. The car feels quick, and is even quicker than it feels. The Charger's high level of refinement, even in Daytona form, works against the visceral thrills provided by 350 horsepower. It keeps the car from feeling scary fast. In my opinion, even the SRT isn't scary fast the way a Corvette or Mustang Cobra is.

The 350-horsepower engine does have a louder, throatier exhaust than the regular Hemi, a change that muscle car fans will appreciate. They'll also likely appreciate that the extra noise disappears when acceleration comes to an end. So it won't become irritating on long drives.

The suspension modifications are more noticeable. The Daytona turns in more quickly and confidently, corners more flatly, and generally feels more composed and balanced. The car still doesn't feel agile, but given its size and weight I didn't expect it to.

The tires and steering are less successful than the suspension modifications. Michelin HX MXM4 tires, though an improvement over the Goodyear Assurance tires on the regular R/T, are hardly hardcore performance rubber. They start protesting fairly early in hard turns, limiting the fun if you don't want to attract undue attention. At least they protest quietly at first--they don't scream bloody murder right off the bat. It's easy to drive them to this point and no further.

The revised steering feels a touch firmer right on center, but feels nearly as light and numb as the regular Daytona's off-center. This remains my major issue with the car.

Returning to the positive side of the ledger, ride quality isn't much worse than in the regular Charger, and noise from all sources is hushed. I'd expected a much less livable car. Instead, it remains very well suited to long stretches on the highway.

Dodge Charger Price Comparisons and Pricing

From a price standpoint, either performance package strikes me as well worth its cost. In fact, I wouldn't advise buying a Charger R/T without one of them.

Prices change frequently, and differences will vary based on feature level. To quickly generate comparisons with the specific features you want, visit my Web site, www.truedelta.com. (It's the only site that provides true "apples-to-apples" price comparisons.)

TrueDelta's page for the Charger:

http://www.truedelta.com/models/Charger.php


Last Words

Even with the Daytona package the Charger didn't handle as well as I had hoped. But it still handles considerably better than the regular Charger, includes much more supportive seats, and doesn't substantially harm the car's ride quality.

My initial reaction to the aesthetic components of the Daytona package was not positive. And I still don't regard the resulting car as in any way beautiful. This said, during the test drive I grew to appreciate the extra character these modifications lend the car. They don't so much take the car's styling over the top so much as they complete it.

The more I think about it, the more I feel that anyone attracted to the Charger in the first place should seriously consider the Daytona package. The throaty, torquey engine gives the Charger the feel of a sixties muscle car. The suspension lends it better handling than any muscle car ever possessed while still feeling very traditionally American. But it takes the Daytona package to fully deliver the aesthetics of a sixties muscle car.

Those who don't care for such loud styling will probably be happier in a 300C anyway. Which brings me to my final point. I'd personally prefer the additional functionality of the Magnum wagon. But Chrysler currently only offers the performance package in the Charger. Hopefully similar packages will soon be offered on the other cars.

A Note on Dodge Charger Daytona Reliability

I cannot practically cover reliability within the context of this review. However, many people are interested in such information, so I've started collecting my own data. Results, once they are available, will be posted to my site, www.truedelta.com, with updates every three months.

Unlike other sources, TrueDelta will clearly identify what difference it will make if you buy a Charger rather than another vehicle by providing "times in the shop" and "days in the shop" stats (among others). You will be able to specify the number of years, annual miles, and types of repairs to include in Dodge Charger reliability comparisons.

Before I can report results, I need data on all cars--not just the Charger--from people like you. To encourage participation, those who help provide the data will receive free access to the site's reliability information. Non-participants will have to pay an access fee.

For the details, and to sign up, visit www.truedelta.com.

A link to this website and alphabetized links to my other vehicle reviews can be found on my profile page.
Some of my reviews of related vehicles:
Chevrolet Impala review
Chrysler 300 review
Dodge Magnum review
Ford Five Hundred review