Quick Drive: 2011 Dodge Charger R/T

2011 Dodge Charger RT on the Track

I’ll have to admit, I’m not a big fan of the previous generation Charger. Mostly because I most often encounter the base V6 models, but even the R/T and SRT Chargers just never really did it for me. They are too big and heavy, and yes they have the power, but if I’m looking for a quick sedan, give me a Taurus SHO or even a German competitor any day.

Upon first glance, it seems that Dodge has done right with this second generation Charger. More aggressive looking and much better interior quality – a theme that you’ll notice throughout the new Dodge and Chrysler vehicles – but is it really any better to drive?

We really wanted to put this one through its paces to see what we really thought about it, so we not only took it out on the rough roads and the fast smooth roads, but we also took it out on the infield track at Texas Motor Speedway. Dodge didn’t just settle for changing up the body and interior of this Charger, they knew they had to get it right, so much underneath this car has been changed too. This R/T drove nothing like its previous generation. It was tight where it needed to be tight and soft when it needed to be soft. Around the track, we were able to stick it into the corners with as much confidence as any other sporty car we’ve driven. It really drove like a much smaller and precise car. In that regard, I liked it a lot. The big letdown on the track was the automatic transmission. Although it worked great on the road, it just couldn’t get the shifts and power down at the right time on the track, not a big deal for everyday driving. However, next year we’ll be seeing the 7-speed transmission thrown into the mix.

So at least they are finally starting to do the Charger right, and hopefully we’ll see even more improvements in the years to come.

Thanks to our friends at Non-Stock Photography for the photos.

Car was driven and reviewed by Adam Moore at the Texas Auto Roundup in conjunction with the .