If you want a fun-to-drive V8-powered sedan on a budget, there is no real competition for the Dodge Charger, with the 370 horsepower R/T starting at $37,890 while the 485 horsepower Scat Pack starting at $41,490.
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The biggest news from the Dodge brand for the 2020 model year is the introduction of the widebody package for the Charger Scat Pack and Hellcat. The widebody package is optional on the Scat Pack while coming standard on the Hellcat, and both are fantastic, but they are also out of the price range of many buyers. Fortunately, those prospective Charger buyers who want V8 power with a smaller price tag, the 485-horsepower Scat Pack is still available as a non-widebody and it costs less for 2020. Also, the 370-horsepower Charger R/T introduces V8 power at a price point well below $40,000.
2020 Charger R/T
The “entry level V8 package” for the 2020 Dodge Charger is the R/T trim level (above in Indigo Blue). When the Charger was reintroduced to the Dodge lineup back in 2006, the R/T was the hottest option, but since then, it has been trumped by an array of SRT-powered models. Fortunately, with 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, the R/T still offers plenty of punch, making the big sedan a ton of fun to drive.
The 2020 Charger R/T starts at $37,890 including destination fees and that price includes everything that you need to enjoy a 370-horsepower, Hemi-powered sedan. Standard features include the 8.4-inch UConnect system and cloth performance seats inside while the outside sports the basic look of the Hellcat, with the aggressive front and rear fascia and a front-facing scoop on the hood.
Charger R/T buyers who want a little more performance without a big jump in price car add the Performance Handling Group. This includes Brembo 4-piston front brake calipers, a performance-tuned suspension system, the SRT-inspired flat bottom steering wheel and 20-by-9-inch black wheels. The brakes and suspension make a big difference in terms of handling and the wheels look great, so this would be one option package that I recommend. When you tack it on, you get an MSRP of $39,485, which is a great number for the interior space and technology coupled with the Hemi power.
Standard Body Scat Pack
If you have a little more wiggle room in your budget while shopping for a large sedan, the 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack is the best performance budget in the four-door segment (below in Go Mango). This package features the 392-cubic inch Hemi, delivering 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque with a starting price, including destination of just $41,490. That is down $250 from 2019, making a great bargain even better.
What makes the Dodge Scat Pack models – both the Charger and Challenger – so great is that they don’t need any additional options to be great performance cars. In many cases, a performance car with a low MSRP requires an array of upgrades to enjoy the performance, but the Scat Pack comes with everything that you need to get the most from the 392 Hemi. That being said, buyers who want better stopping forces, the SRT steering wheel and higher performance stock tires may want to consider the Dynamics Package. For $2,295, this adds 6-piston Brembo front brakes and they are worth every cent. The package also adds unique 20-inch wheels, all-season performance tires and the SRT steering wheel, but the star of the package is the Brembo braking upgrade. Once again, if you have the budget, I recommend the braking upgrade. With that added, the price climbs to $43,785, but there is no other sedan on the marker with this type of performance for anywhere near $44,000.
In fact, if you add almost all of the option packages on Dodge.com, including the Plus Group, the Navigation and Travel Group, the Driver Confidence Group and the Carbon and Suede Interior Group, the price rises to $49,665. At less than $50,000, this is the best bargain for a big performance sedan.
Again, if you have $70,000+ to spend, the 2020 Charger Hellcat is the way to go, but if you are on a tighter budget and you are seeking V8 power in a big, comfortable sedan, the R/T and Scat Pack are models that should be on your short list.
Patrick Rall is a professional writer and photographer with a passion for all things automotive. Patrick has been sharing his automotive expertise in automotive journalism from Detroit for more than a decade covering the Big Three. Having grown up in his father’s performance shop, he spent extensive time at the oval track and drag strip – both driving and wrenching on various types of vehicles. In addition to working as a writer, Patrick previously worked as an automotive technician before moving on to a business office position with a chain of dealerships, and this broad spectrum of experience in the industry allows him to offer a unique look on the automotive world. Follow Patrick on Facebook, Youtube and Twitter.
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