What year did Dodge remake the Charger?
The modern Dodge Charger was remade in 2005 for the 2006 model year, with its public debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2005.
From that point, Dodge relaunched a storied nameplate that blends retro styling with contemporary performance, marking a clear break from the classic Chargers of the 1960s and 1970s and setting the course for the model through the 2010s and into the early 2020s. This article traces the remake, its design choices, and its lasting impact on Dodge and the market for large performance sedans.
Context and the Charger Revival
The Charger lineage stretches from the original 1960s muscle-car era into a modern, high-performance sedan that Dodge repositioned for today’s market. The remake aimed to capture the nostalgic appeal of the classic models while delivering contemporary engineering, safety, and technology.
Key milestones in the Charger’s revival and subsequent updates:
- 2005 — Public reveal of the modern Charger for the 2006 model year at the Detroit Auto Show.
- 2006–2010 — First-generation revival goes on sale with rear-wheel drive and a range of performance variants.
- 2011 — Mid-cycle refresh with styling tweaks and interior upgrades.
- 2015 — Introduction of high-performance variants (notably the Hellcat) expanding the lineup.
- 2019–2023 — Ongoing updates and the eventual end of production after the 2023 model year.
These milestones illustrate how the remake redefined the Charger for a new era while maintaining its distinctive identity.
What the remake delivered
Key design and performance shifts introduced with the remake include:
Design language and engineering choices
- Retro-inspired styling blended with a modern chassis, safety tech, and everyday usability.
- Rear-wheel drive architecture with powerful engine options and, in later years, high-performance variants like the Hellcat.
- Interior updates featuring contemporary infotainment systems and, in later years, high-end materials and digital instrumentation.
The revival succeeded in creating a contemporary Charger that honored its muscle-car roots while appealing to a new generation of buyers.
Summary
The Dodge Charger was remade for the 2006 model year, with its formal reveal in early 2005. The revival introduced a modern, performance-oriented sedan that evolved through subsequent years, added high-performance variants, and continued until the model’s end after the 2023 lineup. The remake thus marks a pivotal moment for Dodge, balancing nostalgia with modern engineering.
Quick takeaway: Dodge’s Charger remake began with the 2005 reveal for the 2006 model year, signaling a major shift that would guide the brand’s approach to performance sedans for nearly two decades.
