Transportation

Car Review: 2015 Dodge Charger

Published

12 years ago

February 17, 2015

By Frank S. Washington
NNPA Columnist

WASHINGTON, D.C., – Dodge is billing the 2015 Charger as the world’s only four-door muscle car. The brand says the restyled Charger is the quickest, fastest and most powerful sedan on the planet. What’s more, Dodge does have the right stuff under the Charger’s hood to back up the claim.

At the top of the power perch is the 2015 Dodge SRT Hellcat with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that makes 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, this four-door rocket has a top speed of 204 mph. That makes it faster than its corporate cousin, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, with a top speed of 199 mph.

Next up was the 2015 Dodge Charger SRT 392. It was powered by a 6.4-liter normally aspirated HEMI V8 that made 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic gear box is standard to all trim lines of the new Charger.

Third on the Charger muscle scale is the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that makes 370 horsepower. This model has cylinder deactivation that will shut off half of its cylinders when not needed. That’s most of the time.

Although the new car still looked like a Charger, everything about this Dodge has changed. Only the rear doors and the roof are the same. New were fenders, front and rear fascia as well as the front doors. The new aluminum hood appeared to be a little more curved.
The radius of the Dodge Charger’s side scallops was changed and the C-pillar was pulled rearward into the deck lid. The sedan had LED running lights and LED fog lamps. There were also front and rear performance fascias and side sills for the HEMIs, a new three-piece spoiler as well as black performance spoilers and SRT body color performance spoilers.

But amid all of Dodge’s intoxicating power and appearance packages, we decided to concentrate on the 2015 Charger with the least amount of power. We had experienced all of the HEMIs when we test drove the Challenger, it shares the same engine family. Thus, we opted to test drive the 2015 Dodge Charger SE, the entry level model.

It is nowhere near as exotic as its more powerful siblings but this car along with the SXT Charger is the volume model. In other words, Dodge will sell more copies of these two models then the others combined.

Powered by a 3.6 liter V6, engine that made 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, that is bumped up to 300 horsepower with the Rallye Package, the SE also had an eight-speed transmission. All the forward gears help the 2015 Dodge Charger SE get 19 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg combined.

On a 100-mile drive to Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia, we found the Dodge Charger SE to be a whole lot of car. There was a bunch of stuff our test vehicle didn’t have: no navigation system, no 8.4-inch touch screen or voice controls. But it did have the Charger chassis and styling.

The car was solid on what can only be described as a rain soaked day. Still, it was real world conditions and this Charger gave an excellent account of itself. Although the Charger can come with all-wheel-drive, we had a rear-wheel-drive version. Though the pavement was wet and looked slippery, the car’s grip on the road was sure.

It was solid, really solid. With every bump, crevice and rut we traversed in the pavement, we could feel the quality of its build. Our 2015 Dodge Charger SE was quiet as rain fell with every turn of its tires. Still, all of the weather and the congested traffic that came with it remained outside of the car. None of it was transmitted to the interior through wind or road noise.

The 2015 Dodge Charger was a sedan in function not just in its number of doors. We climbed into the back seats and had plenty of leg, head and hip room. The car could carry four adults in real comfort.

Power was there when we needed it. Yes, our 2015 Dodge Charger SE didn’t have the brute force of any of the HEMIs, but with 292 horsepower it wasn’t a snail. It had enough oomph to get out of the way, to stay out of the way, to lead when needed and to avoid texting-while-driving idiots. It handled with rifle shot accuracy.

Our test car featured Dodge’s customizable 7-inch full color information display. That is a lot words to say TFT screen. We had the five-inch touch screen and the aluminum bevel surround made them look like one unit. The new electronic T-shifter mimicked hydraulic gear selection which was a nice touch.

Our 2015 Dodge Charger had a couple of option packages: 18-inch all season performance tires, satin carbon aluminum wheels and a body colored spoiler. The second option package included satellite radio, rear park assist, remote start and a front license plate bracket for those regressive states.

The soft touch dash could have been a little softer but this was a base model. And we did think the plastic template on the climate controls could have been of a higher quality; not much just a notch. However, that undoubtedly would have increased the price.
For $30,580 as tested, we thought the 2015 Dodge Charger was a lot of car for comparatively few dollars.

With base prices ranging from $27,995 for the SE to $69,995 for the Hellcat, five engine choices and scads of trim lines, we think the 2015 Dodge Charger has a power and appearance package for just about every purse.

Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com.

###

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Car Review: 2015 Lincoln Navigator

Don't Miss

Car Review: 2015 Dodge Charger

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Business

Starting This Summer, California Car Buyers Can Get an Instant $3500 Off the Cost of Electric Vehicles

OAKLAND POST — Beginning later this summer, eligible Californians can receive a $3,500 rebate on new zero-emission vehicles with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of up to $50,000. Buyers purchasing qualifying used electric vehicles priced at up to $25,000 can receive a $1,750 rebate. The rebate will be applied directly at participating dealerships, allowing buyers to receive the discount immediately instead of waiting for reimbursement.

Published

3 weeks ago

July 26, 2026

bpusa-syndication

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California residents purchasing their first zero-emission vehicle will soon be eligible for an instant rebate of up to $3,500 under a new state program aimed at making electric vehicles more affordable.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 168 on July 16, creating the MyFirstEV program as part of California’s 2026-27 state budget. The initiative dedicates $135.5 million in state funding for point-of-sale rebates, which participating automakers will match dollar for dollar. State officials said the combined investment will provide $270 million in savings for first-time electric vehicle buyers.

Beginning later this summer, eligible Californians can receive a $3,500 rebate on new zero-emission vehicles with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of up to $50,000. Buyers purchasing qualifying used electric vehicles priced at up to $25,000 can receive a $1,750 rebate. The rebate will be applied directly at participating dealerships, allowing buyers to receive the discount immediately instead of waiting for reimbursement.

“With our new instant rebate program for electric vehicles, we’re making it easier for families to drive clean, breathe clean, and keep more money in their pockets,” Newsom said in a statement.

The MyFirstEV program is part of a broader $600 million investment in California’s clean transportation economy included in the state budget. The funding package also provides $150 million for the Community Air Protection Program, $19.8 million for the Clean Cars 4 All program for lower-income residents, $35 million for clean off-road equipment through the Air Quality Improvement Program, $135.5 million for the Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project, and $130 million for the Carl Moyer Program to replace older heavy-duty engines with cleaner alternatives.

According to the governor’s office, the transportation investments are funded through Cap-and-Invest revenue and smog-abatement fees while maintaining a balanced state budget.

California continues to expand its zero-emission transportation network. The state surpassed 2.5 million cumulative zero-emission vehicle sales earlier this year, exceeding its original goal of 1.5 million sales by 2025. Officials also reported that California has more than 200,000 public and shared electric vehicle charging plugs statewide, in addition to an estimated 800,000 home charging stations.

bpusa-syndication

Posts by bpusa-syndication

Featured

What Are the Five Pillars of Road Safety?

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — What makes road safety crucial in 2026? Investigate the pivotal measures communities are adopting to ensure public safety on roads. Get insights now!

Published

4 weeks ago

July 18, 2026

bpusa-syndication

Road safety is becoming one of today’s biggest public priorities

Road safety is becoming a growing public priority as communities invest in safer infrastructure, advanced vehicle technology, public education, and smarter enforcement to help reduce crashes and protect everyone who uses the road.

Every day, millions of Americans travel by car, walk through neighborhoods, ride bicycles, or use public transportation. Whether someone is driving, cycling, walking, or taking a bus, everyone shares a responsibility for making roads safer.

Although fatalities have continued to decline from recent highs, thousands of lives are still lost each year, keeping traffic safety firmly in the public spotlight. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that about 39,000 people died in traffic crashes in 2024.

Communities are responding with greater awareness, safer road designs, and renewed attention to everyday driving habits that reduce the risk of serious crashes.

What Are the Five Pillars of Road Safety?

Road safety doesn’t depend on one solution. Experts generally agree that reducing crashes requires improvements across several areas, from better road design to safer driving habits.

The five pillars focus on:

Road safety management
Safer roads and infrastructure
Safer vehicles
Safer road users
Effective post-crash response

Together, these areas provide a practical framework for:

Reducing crashes
Preventing serious injuries
Making travel safer for everyone

Communities Are Investing in Safer Roads and Transportation Infrastructure

The way streets, intersections, and crossings are designed influences how safely drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians move through an area. That’s why many communities continue to invest in projects that make everyday travel safer.

Common improvements include:

Better marked crosswalks
Traffic calming measures
Protected bike lanes
Improved street lighting
Upgraded traffic signals
Safer intersections
More visible road signs

These projects can be found on neighborhood streets as well as major roads. While they take time to complete, each improvement helps create a safer environment for everyone who travels:

By car
By bicycle
By public transportation
On foot

School Zones Continue To Receive Greater Safety Attention

School zones remain a major focus of road safety efforts because they bring together young pedestrians, school buses, cyclists, and heavy traffic at the busiest times of the day.

Many communities are lowering speed limits during school hours, improving crosswalk visibility, upgrading sidewalks, and adding flashing signs or crossing guards where needed. These measures encourage drivers to slow down and stay alert where children are most likely to be present.

Creating safer routes to and from school continues to be an important part of protecting children and improving everyday road safety.

Advanced Vehicle Safety Technology Is Becoming More Common

Modern vehicles include more safety features than ever before. While no technology can prevent every crash, many systems help drivers recognize hazards sooner or reduce the severity of a collision.

The common safety technologies being built into cars are:

Automatic emergency braking
Blind spot monitoring
Lane departure warnings
Adaptive cruise control
Rear cross traffic alerts
Driver attention monitoring
Parking and surround view cameras

Automotive safety features work best alongside responsible driving habits, providing an extra layer of protection when unexpected situations arise on the road.

Traffic Enforcement Is Becoming More Data-Driven

Communities are using crash data to better understand where collisions happen most often and where additional safety measures may be needed.

The findings can shape decisions about:

Speed enforcement
Traffic signal timing
School zones
Pedestrian crossings

Rather than taking the same approach everywhere, attention can be focused on locations with the greatest need.

The goal is simple: reduce crashes before they happen by directing resources where they can have the greatest impact.

Public Education Campaigns Are Promoting Safer Road Behavior

Public education campaigns encourage people to make better decisions every time they travel, whether they’re driving, cycling, or walking. Many campaigns focus on simple reminders such as:

Avoiding distracted driving
Wearing seat belts
Following speed limits
Watching for pedestrians and cyclists
Driving sober

Small changes in everyday behavior can make a meaningful difference over time. When more people understand the risks and develop safer habits, everyone benefits from a safer transportation system.

Knowing Your Rights Matters After a Serious Road Accident

Even with safer roads, improved vehicle technology, and greater public awareness, serious crashes can still happen. When they do, knowing what steps to take next becomes just as important as understanding how to stay safe.

Seeking medical attention, documenting the scene when possible, and understanding your legal rights can help people make informed decisions during a stressful time.

Individuals with questions about injuries caused by another person’s negligence may also choose to speak with Shull + Klenda personal injury lawyers to better understand the options available to them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Road Traffic Accidents Still So Common?

Road accidents happen for many reasons, including:

Speeding
Distracted driving
Impaired driving
Poor weather
Driver fatigue

Even small mistakes can have serious consequences, making safer travel an ongoing public priority.

Who Are the Most Vulnerable Road Users?

Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and children are among the most vulnerable because they have less physical protection than people inside vehicles. Many safety improvements are designed with these road users in mind.

How Can Communities Make Residential Streets Safer?

Better lighting, clearly marked crosswalks, lower speed limits where appropriate, traffic calming measures, and school zone improvements can all make residential streets safer. Community feedback also helps identify areas where additional improvements may be needed.

Why Is Defensive Driving Important?

Defensive driving encourages motorists to stay alert, anticipate potential hazards, and leave enough space to react when unexpected situations arise. These habits can reduce the likelihood of collisions even when other road users make mistakes.

What Should You Do If You’re Injured in a Road Accident?

Your priority should always be getting medical attention. It’s also important to document the incident when possible, report the accident if required, and understand your legal rights before making decisions about the next steps.

Road Safety Remains a Shared Responsibility

Road safety banks on more than traffic laws or new technology. Thoughtful planning, responsible driving, and informed decisions all play a role in protecting drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians every day.

Discover more local stories, transportation updates, and public safety news on our site.

bpusa-syndication

Posts by bpusa-syndication

Alameda County

Ferry Fares to Increase July 1 as Ridership Hits Record Highs

The Oakland and Alameda routes will increase from $4.90 to $5.10, the South San Francisco route will go up from $7.40 to $7.60, and the Vallejo route will increase from $9.90 to $10.

Published

2 months ago

June 24, 2026

Oakland Post

Courtesy photo.

By Mike Aldax, The Richmond Standard

Starting July 1, the standard adult fare for the San Francisco Bay Ferry route between Richmond and San Francisco will increase to $5.20, up from the current $4.90.

Discounted fares for eligible passengers, including youth, seniors, people with disabilities, and Clipper START users, will rise to $2.60 from the current $2.40. Children under 5 will continue to ride for free.

The Oakland and Alameda routes will increase from $4.90 to $5.10, the South San Francisco route will go up from $7.40 to $7.60, and the Vallejo route will increase from $9.90 to $10.

The adjustments are part of a systemwide fare update approved by the agency’s Board of Directors, which is moving away from a flat 3% annual increase to route-specific pricing for the 2027 and 2028 fiscal years.

This fare update arrives as San Francisco Bay Ferry celebrates a historic May, transporting 301,270 passengers. The record-breaking figure represents an 8% increase over May 2025 and marks the third consecutive month of record-setting ridership.

Furthermore, it is the sixth month in a row that passenger numbers have exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Weekend travel has been a primary driver of this growth, with average weekend ridership seeing a 56% increase compared to pre-pandemic trends.

The agency states that the fare adjustments are necessary to ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of public ferry services. By shifting to route-specific adjustments, the agency aims to offset rising operating costs while maintaining the high levels of service frequency and reliability.