I recently had the chance to test drive a 2011 Charger Rt, and frankly, I walked away much more impressed than I anticipated. Coming into it, I was already a fan of the Charger’s updated styling – a significant leap forward from the previous generation, to the point where it’s giving the Challenger serious competition in my book. While many reviews touch on the basics, they often miss highlighting just how much technology Dodge packed into this model year.
This isn’t just your standard muscle car; it’s loaded with features that genuinely surprised me. We’re talking about blind spot detection, which is incredibly useful in everyday driving, and rain-sensing wipers – a convenience you don’t realize you appreciate until you have it. Beyond the usual, it includes hill start assist, a great feature for anyone dealing with inclines, and even rain brake support. That last one is particularly clever, subtly warming the rotors to keep them dry and ensure optimal braking performance in wet conditions.
Then there’s the Uconnect system. Having experienced other infotainment systems, I can say Uconnect is a standout. It’s intuitive and responsive, almost to the point where you feel like you can just talk to the car to control things. It reminded me of Ford’s MyFordTouch in its capabilities but felt even more user-friendly.
Performance-wise, the 370 horsepower Hemi engine is exactly what you expect – powerful and responsive. But what really surprised me was the fuel economy. The cylinder shut-off in Eco mode is no joke. Dodge claims 27 mpg on the highway, and based on my driving habits, where I typically exceed EPA estimates by a couple of points, I could realistically see this car hitting close to 30 mpg on longer highway trips. That’s genuinely impressive for a vehicle of this size and with this kind of power.
Now, is the 2011 Charger RT going to be a track day champion? Probably not. But as a daily driver that can also deliver thrills, it hits a sweet spot. It’s remarkably comfortable for everyday commutes, perfectly civilized around town, but the moment you put your foot down, the Hemi roars to life, and the car takes off.
While I’m eager to see the newer 8-speed transmission make its way into this model, the 5-speed automatic it currently has is perfectly adequate. Honestly, it felt no worse than the 4-speed automatic in my current Chrysler, which, despite its reputation, has been reliable.
As a longtime Dodge and Chrysler enthusiast, I have to admit, the 2011 Charger RT really caught me off guard. It defied my expectations, in the best way possible. This isn’t just another Dodge; it’s a genuinely good car that blends muscle car heritage with modern technology and surprising efficiency.
