DecodedCars2021 Dodge Charger
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan AWD, 4dr Sedan RWD Hellcat, 4dr Sedan RWD R/T Scat Pack/Srt392, 4dr Sedan RWD V6
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl
- Horsepower
- 292–485 hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Midgrade Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 19 city / 30 hwy
- Length
- 198.4 in
- Curb weight
- 3,935–4,575 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Strong performanceUp to 485 hp, versus about 363 hp for similar 2021 models.
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 7 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Dodge Charger is a large car offered with 4 engines (3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 198 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 120-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,158 lb (4dr Sedan AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (19 city / 30 highway), 5% worse than the 2021 large car average of 24.1 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Charger — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Charger →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Brampton, Ontario
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 Charger configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan AWD | 198.4 in | 75.2 in | 58.3 in | 120.1 in | 63.4 / 63.8 in | 4,158 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr Sedan RWD Hellcat | 198.4 in | 75.2 in | 58.3 in | 120.1 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 4,575 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr Sedan RWD R/T Scat Pack/Srt392 | 198.4 in | 75.2 in | 58.3 in | 120.1 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 4,400 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr Sedan RWD V6 | 198.4 in | 75.2 in | 58.3 in | 120.1 in | 63.4 / 63.8 in | 3,935 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr Sedan RWD V8 | 198.4 in | 75.2 in | 58.3 in | 120.1 in | 63.4 / 63.8 in | 4,264 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charger | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 30 / 23 | -5% | $2,900 | 389 |
| Charger AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -13% | $3,200 | 415 |
| Charger | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | -21% | $4,000 | 466 |
| Charger | 6.4L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 24 / 18 | -25% | $4,550 | 496 |
| Charger Widebody | 6.4L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 24 / 18 | -25% | $4,550 | 496 |
| Charger SRT Widebody | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 21 / 15 | -38% | $5,500 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Dodge Charger 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.1% |
| 2021 Dodge Charger 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.1% |
Similar 2021 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Dodge Charger (this car) | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Toyota Camry | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Dodge Challenger | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Chrysler 300 | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Toyota Avalon | 44 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Nissan Maxima | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 Kia Stinger | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain › Inflator · Mar 14, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V198000 · 284,982 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.
Visibility › Windshield › Critical Fasteners · Jul 8, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V516000 · 21,258 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
- Risk
- A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y47.
Not every 2021 Dodge Charger is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Dodge Charger buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 16 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Power Train — 5 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 53,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Dodge Charger. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Charger years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Charger | 267 mi | 206.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 Charger | 20 | 206.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 5 |
| 2025 Charger | 308 mi | 206.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 39 |
| 2024 Charger | 308 mi | 198.4 in | Not rated | 3 | 24 |
| 2023 Charger | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 26 |
| 2022 Charger | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 16 |
| 2020 Charger | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 58 |
| 2019 Charger | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 120 |
| 2018 Charger | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 122 |
| 2017 Charger | 23 | 198.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 128 |
| 2016 Charger | 23 | 198.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 182 |
| 2015 Charger | 23 | 198.4 in | Not rated | 7 | 136 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Dodge. How we calculate this →