Reborn in 2005 for the 2016 model year, the LX Charger made use of Mercedes-Benz internals, such as W220 S-Class and W211 E-Class suspension parts. Then the LD Charger followed in 2010, sporting pretty much the same platform as its predecessor. Despite its venerable age, Dodge’s sedan is a tough cookie to crack.
In the latest round of crash tests performed by the NHTSA, the U.S. government-backed agency rated the newest model year Dodge Charger five stars out of five. The maximum rating for crashworthiness applies to the rear- and all-wheel-drive variants of the model year 2017 Dodge Charger.
Not all about this result is rosy, though. The overall rating comes as a result of three tests: frontal crash (four stars), side crash (five stars), and rollover (five stars). Be that as it may, “this [overall rating] further validates the robustness of our safety engineering,” said Mike Dahl, Head of Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance at FCA North America. “But crashworthiness is only half the story. We are immensely proud of the investment we’ve made in the driver-assist technologies that help enable crash mitigation.”
Mike’s right, you know. Active safety systems can make the difference in certain scenarios. In the 2017 Dodge Charger’s case, the highlight comes in the form of the available Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus. Another extra that’s worth mentioning is blind-spot monitoring, complete with rear cross-path detection. Both systems are included in the Technology Package.
Of course, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist are also available for this model year, complete with a function that lets the driver adjust the level of steering input. As with every other techy bit about the Charger, this function is accessed via the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system. Also for the model year 2017, Uconnect 8.4 is now in its fourth generation, easier to use than ever thanks to gestures such as pinch, swipe, and tap.
Not all about this result is rosy, though. The overall rating comes as a result of three tests: frontal crash (four stars), side crash (five stars), and rollover (five stars). Be that as it may, “this [overall rating] further validates the robustness of our safety engineering,” said Mike Dahl, Head of Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance at FCA North America. “But crashworthiness is only half the story. We are immensely proud of the investment we’ve made in the driver-assist technologies that help enable crash mitigation.”
Mike’s right, you know. Active safety systems can make the difference in certain scenarios. In the 2017 Dodge Charger’s case, the highlight comes in the form of the available Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus. Another extra that’s worth mentioning is blind-spot monitoring, complete with rear cross-path detection. Both systems are included in the Technology Package.
Of course, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist are also available for this model year, complete with a function that lets the driver adjust the level of steering input. As with every other techy bit about the Charger, this function is accessed via the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system. Also for the model year 2017, Uconnect 8.4 is now in its fourth generation, easier to use than ever thanks to gestures such as pinch, swipe, and tap.