2020 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Widebody: A More Affordable And Practical Alternative To The SRT Hellcat Widebody

Highlight: The Dodge Charger is the only rear-wheel drive, fullsize, four-door sedan on the market that is available in a variety of  8-cylinder powertrains.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $50,180 (Base SXT Model: $31,390)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; a tire pressure monitoring system; an anti spin differential rear axle; Brembo fixed caliper brakes; a rearview camera; a stability control system; and a tire service kit

Standard Equipment (R/T Scat Pack Plus): 20-inch wheels; a remote starter kit system; cloth seats; a power driver’s seat; heated front seats; a performance heated steering wheel; a leather shift knob; steering wheel mounted shifted control; an in-vehicle WiFi system; an automatic dual temp control system; performance grille with dual air inlets; and a 180-mph speedometer

Optional Features On Test Vehicle:  a widebody package; Brembo 6-piston caliper brakers; a performance shifter indicator; body color fender flares; a leather flat bottom steering wheel; a widebody competition suspension; an adaptive suspension; 20-inch wheels; SCAT Pack logo; Nappa/Alcantara seat; ventilated front seats; premium floormats; a rear seat center armrest with cupholders; illuminated rear cupholders; an automatic dimming rearview mirror; an electronic blindspot indicator; memory for power heated mirrors; a premium stitched door panels; power driver and power front passenger seats with lumbar support; heated second row seats; driver and passenger low LED lighting; exterior mirrors courtesy lamps; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a cross detection indicator for backing up; and 3-season tires

Other Trims:

SXT RWD

GT AWD

SXT AWD

RT RWD

SRT Hellcat                                                                                           

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: 6-speakers AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto: Yes

Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes

USB Connectivity: Yes                                                                   

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: a Hemi 8-cylinder/485-hp     

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 15-city/24-hwy

What’s New: The Widebody Scat Pack is a new addition to the four-door muscle car’s lineup for the 2020 model year.

Why: The rear-wheel drive, four-door sedan caters to singles, couples or families. The roomy vehicle is available in a variety of powertrains, ranging from a respectable 6-cylinder to a variety of high-powered 8-cylinder engines.

The Dodge Charger offers a muscular look, an aggressive sound, loads of comfort front the supportive seats, an easy-to-use infotainment system, the latest high-tech, self-driving aids and a number of comfort features, too.

A new addition to the line up for the 2020 model year is the 485-horsepower Scat Pack Widebody that was stuffed with a 392-cubic-inch HEMI V-8 engine, with 485-horsepower mated to the TorqueFlite 8HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Widebody is distinguishing itself from the other vehicles in Dodge’s line up by including such enhancements as integrated fender flares, which expands the overall width of the vehicle upwards of four inches. Thus, the wider profile gives Dodge engineering team the ability to accessorize the vehicle with a set of 20-inch wheels and tires … that really sets off the muscle car, while improving the overall handling and driving capabilities. These visual enhancements make the vehicle a standout for driving enthusiasts.

Moreover, the Widebody engineering enhancements include modified springs, sway bars and shocks, stiffer front springs, a larger rear sway bar and a revised damper calibration.

And for those who like stats, according to the folks from Dodge says that the Scat Pack Widebody delivers 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds, a quarter-mile ET in 12.4 seconds at 111 mph, pulls .98 g lateral grip on the skidpad, brakes 60-0 in 107 feet and finishes 1.3 seconds faster on a 2.1-mile road course, which is equal to eight car lengths per lap. This is quite impressive for a price point under $50,000.

In fact, we found the vehicle we tested was a better alternative to the over-powered 707-horsepower Hellcat Widebody that we reviewed earlier this model year that had a price tag pushing near $80,000. Realistically unless one is on a racetrack or reside on the German Autobahn, besides for bragging rights that’s just too much power for the street. While some would say 485-horsepower is impractical too, it just seems more practical in terms of price, horsepower and safety, as it relates to providing an engaging driving experience.

Also we must note that the vehicle is also not over tuned. Dodge’s engineering team have found the perfect harmony with the ride and comfort and the overall racing agility of the suspension system. The Scat Pack R/T Widebody is great for profiling around or long road trips. This vehicle will not leave one exhausted and/or feeling like they’ve been in a physical work out.

Furthermore, Dodge has managed to create one of the most user-friendly infotainment systems on the market. Its simple and just easy to use. It doesn’t require hours of discovery, as in the case of a number of systems.

Lastly, the muscular Charger, with its powerhouse growl, offer a number of creature comforts too.

But: For those seeking an electrified or hybrid fullsize sedan from Dodge, they’ll have to look elsewhere. Toyota offers a hybrid variation in their fullsize front wheel drive Avalon.

Also our only major quirk with the Dodge we reviewed is that the vehicle lacked a power sunroof.

Lastly, an all-wheel drive configuration should be available across in the entire line up Chargers. Currently, the all-weather configuration is only available on limited trims.

Verdict: The engineering and design team has managed to keep this third-generation muscle car relevant, as consumers taste has shifted toward utility vehicles and trucks. In fact, the current design has been around since 2008. Dodge has proven that if one perfects the quality, offer a variety of powertrains, and keep the price within affordability range, they can continue to fill this niche segment, as coupes, sedans and convertibles have become a dying breed.

Ironically, Dodge has been able to keep the mode humming without adding a manual transmission to the fold.

So for buyers, seeking a family sedan that not just for those with a family, we highly recommend placing the Charger on one’s shopping list. More particularly, we found our $50,000 Scat Pack R/T Widebody to be a great value buy and a sensible amount of horsepower too, when compared to the 707-horsepower SRT Hellcat Widebody, which is way too much power and out of the price range for most.

Competition: The 2-Door Dodge Challenger