What is the Charger chassis based on?
The Charger chassis base splits by generation: classic Chargers used the Chrysler B‑body platform, while modern Chargers use the Chrysler LX platform.
To understand why, this article traces the Charger’s lineage from its muscle-car roots through the modern era, explaining how engineering choices reflected evolving technology and market demands. It also notes the current production status of the nameplate.
Historical chassis roots
Below is a concise timeline of the Charger’s chassis bases by era.
- Classic Chargers (1966–1978): Built on the Chrysler B‑body platform, shared with other full‑size Dodge and Plymouth models of the era (such as the Coronet, Satellite, and Belvedere).
- Modern Chargers (2005–2023 model years): Built on the Chrysler LX platform, a rear‑wheel‑drive architecture also used by the Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300; production continued through the 2023 model year.
In brief, the Charger’s foundation moved from traditional B‑body underpinnings in the muscle‑car era to the more modern LX architecture that underpinned a family of large, performance‑oriented cars in the 21st century.
Inside the LX‑era chassis
Key characteristics of the LX‑based Charger and its siblings include:
- Unibody, rear‑wheel‑drive layout designed for performance, shared with the Challenger and 300.
- Engineering updates through the 2000s and 2010s to accommodate a range of V6 and V8 powertrains, with later variants expanding handling and safety tech.
- The Charger nameplate continued through the 2023 model year, after which Dodge paused new Charger production, marking the final chapter for the LX‑based Charger lineup.
Comparing the two generational families highlights the shift from a traditional full‑size “B‑body” basis to the modern, shared LX platform that underpinned several Dodge/Chrysler sedans and coupes.
Platform comparison at a glance
For quick context, the two main chassis families can be distinguished by era and architecture: the classic Charger relied on the B‑body underpinnings of the late‑1960s through the 1970s, while the modern Charger rests on the LX unibody platform introduced in the mid‑2000s and used across the brand’s high‑volume large cars until the model’s end in 2023.
Summary
Bottom line: The Charger’s chassis is not a single constant. It began on Chrysler’s B‑body architecture during the muscle‑car era and transitioned to the LX platform for the modern era, reflecting a long-running strategy of platform sharing within Dodge/Chrysler. As of 2024, Dodge has ceased new Charger production after the 2023 model year, preserving the LX era as the final chapter of the nameplate’s chassis history.
