When it comes to making lemonade out of squeezed lemons, few can top Dodge and their incredible ability to do just that with some of their models. One prominent example is the Dodge Charger, with the model last receiving a major refresh in 2015, with the updated platform tracing its roots back to 2011. While this makes the Charger an aging grizzled veteran in a sea of decidedly younger competitors. The Charger is defying the trend of slumping sedan sales, with the model actually recording a noticeable double digit increase in sales. This is the best sales performance in a decade for the Charger, and it’s little surprise that Dodge aims to find new ways of further expanding the Charger’s appeal, with the firm formally unveiling the all new Charger GT.
Like the Challenger version, the Charger GT’s claim to fame is its four wheel drive system, which allows the big four door to be a reliable companion in snowy or rainy weather. We experienced the GT’s charms first hand a few years ago when we had the opportunity to take its Challenger cousin out for a spin on the roads surrounding our Metro Detroit office. The exterior styling of the Charger does not change very much when compared to its rear wheel drive siblings, and that’s a good thing since the Charger never really had a problem with looking like a proper muscle car offering. All the goodies are here including a hood scoop, a muscular and brawny front fascia, updated wheel designs, and an interior that is a notch above lower tier Chargers. Prior to the unveiling of this model, the only other way to get the all-wheel drive system and its front axle disconnect capability was to either go for the Challenger outright, or go for the base SXT model.
The lone drawback is that the al-wheel drive version of the GT does not get access to a V8, with all models still being powered by the aging 3.6 liter Pentastar V6. An outlier in its own regard due in part to its naturally aspirated nature, its good for 300 horsepower, and the power is sent to all four wheels through an eight speed automatic transmission that can also be operated via steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The Charger is certainly not slow with the V6, but the Pentastar likes to rev in the higher reaches of the rev band, and it’s just simply not the same without the soundtrack that only a Hemi V8 can provide.
Pricing for the 2020 Dodge Charger GT will start at $34,995 which does not include the $1,495 destination fee. Ordering for the new model is set to begin in January, with the first deliveries expected to take place during the first quarter of 2020.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.