What are Dodge Chargers classified as?
Dodge Chargers are classified as full-size, four-door performance sedans in the U.S., with a strong muscle-car heritage rooted in powerful engines and aggressive styling. As of recent years, the gasoline Charger model was discontinued after the 2023 model year, as Dodge shifts toward electrified performance while keeping the Charger name as a legacy in its lineup.
Body style and size
To understand where the Charger fits, it helps to look at its fundamental form and market category. The Charger is built as a four-door sedan and has long been described as a full-size (large) sedan in the U.S., offering strong rear-drive orientation and, in many trims, optional all-wheel drive.
- Body style: 4-door sedan
- Size/segment: Full-size (large) sedan in the U.S. market
- Drivetrain options: Rear-wheel drive standard; all-wheel drive available on several trims
- Platform note: Built on Dodge’s traditional rear-drive platform lineage (LX-based in many generations)
In summary, the Charger is defined first and foremost by its four-door sedan footprint and its placement in the large-car category, with performance-focused variants enhancing its character.
Performance and muscle-car positioning
Beyond its shape, the Charger is widely recognized for its performance credentials. It combines practical four-door packaging with high-power engines and sporty handling, a hallmark of the modern “muscle car” ethos applied to a sedan form factor.
- Engine options: V6 and V8 powertrains, including high-performance Hemi and supercharged variants in later years
- Drive configuration: Primarily rear-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available on several trims
- Performance branding: Marketed and often described as a four-door muscle car due to its horsepower, exhaust note, and aggressive styling
- Notable trims: SXT/GT (V6), R/T (V8), Scat Pack (high-output V8), Hellcat and related variants
Variants and trims
Across its generations, the Charger lineup has included a range of trims that emphasized performance, from everyday practicality to extreme power. This breadth contributed to its recognition as a four-door muscle car in the modern era.
- SXT/GT: entry-level trims with V6 power and practical features
- R/T: performance-oriented with a larger V8
- Scat Pack: high-output V8 and track-focused hardware
- Hellcat (and related editions like Jailbreak/Daytona): top-tier, supercharged V8 variants
Together, these variants show how Dodge used the Charger to blend sedan practicality with performance-driven appeal, reinforcing its muscle-car branding in a four-door package.
Current production status and outlook
What the market has seen in recent years is a shift in Dodge’s strategy. The gasoline-powered Charger was discontinued after the 2023 model year, signaling a move toward electric performance while preserving the Charger’s legacy as part of Dodge’s performance heritage. There is no announced direct gasoline Charger replacement for the immediate future, though the brand has outlined a broader push toward electrified vehicles and performance EVs.
- Production status: Gasoline Charger production ended after the 2023 model year; no new gas-powered Chargers are being produced for 2024-2025
- Future direction: Dodge is transitioning toward electrified performance; no official direct Charger replacement has been announced yet
- Market position: The Charger remains a key part of Dodge’s heritage, now as a legacy model in the U.S. lineup
As a classification, Chargers are still viewed as legacy full-size, four-door performance sedans with a muscle-car pedigree, even as production shifts to electric offerings within Dodge’s broader lineup.
Summary
In short, the Dodge Charger has been classified as a full-size, four-door performance sedan with a muscle-car heritage. It offered V6 and V8 powertrains, with rear-wheel drive as standard and AWD on select models. The gasoline Charger ended production after 2023 as Dodge pivots toward electric performance, but the Charger name remains a symbol of the brand’s performance legacy.
What is a Dodge Charger classified as?
A Dodge Charger is classified as a muscle car, specifically a four-door performance sedan. It blends the performance characteristics of a classic muscle car with the practicality of a sedan, making it suitable for both enthusiasts and families.
- Muscle car: It fits the muscle car definition of an American car with powerful performance, a muscular design, and a rear-wheel-drive layout, especially with the V8 engine options.
- Performance sedan: As a four-door vehicle, it is also a practical sedan, offering more passenger and cargo space than a two-door muscle car like the Challenger.
- Not a sports car: It is not typically classified as a true sports car, which is usually a two-door vehicle prioritizing handling and lower weight over straight-line power.
Are chargers classified as a sports car?
IS A DODGE CHARGER A SPORTS CAR? The Dodge Charger isn't a sports car, it's a muscle car.
What is a Dodge Charger classified as on insurance?
Dodge Charger insurance can sometimes be more expensive because it is classified as a performance vehicle, which means it has higher repair costs and a greater likelihood of being involved in high-speed accidents.
What kind of vehicle is a Dodge Charger?
A Dodge Charger is a type of muscle car, specifically a four-door, full-size performance sedan that has been part of Dodge's lineup since 2006. It combines a traditional muscle car's powerful performance with the practicality of a sedan for everyday use.
- Class: Muscle car/performance sedan.
- Body style: Four-door sedan.
- Performance: Known for high-performance engine options, including V6 and powerful V8 engines, and for 2024 and beyond, it will also be available in a fully electric version.
- Market position: It is considered a unique model in its class because it offers the performance of a muscle car with the added practicality of four doors and more passenger space.
