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| Everything about the Charger's interior is jumbo-sized and in yourface, such as the gigantic steering wheel.(Photo: Justin Couture,Canadian Auto Press) |
While there's plenty of talk about the Charger being like the Magnum, the area where it's most visible is in the interior. Both cars share the same simple, no-nonsense cabin layout, the only real difference being an electronic trunk-release button on the lower dash bolster of the Charger. Everything about the Charger's interior is jumbo-sized and in your face, such as the gigantic steering wheel. The white-faced pod gauges are the essence of clarity. Materials are identical to those used in the 300, including the crinkle-finish soft-touch plastics, which score high points for fit and finish. Yet, where the Charger crests over the same highs, it hits the same lows; more extensive use of cheaper, harder plastics on the instrument panel and 'out of sight' areas like on the door's lower fascia and centre console distinguish this Dodge product as less ritzy.
The Charger's two-toned interior theme uses contrast to lighten the interior, dividing it into upper and lower halves. Combined with the arched roofline, a large, power-sliding sunroof and a lack of privacy tint on the rear windows, the cabin ambience is airier than the dark-as-a-dungeon Magnum. Though it's easy to get comfortable in the firmly padded 8-way adjustable driver's seat, all drivers must still contend with the same, heavily raked windshield and narrow glass. It cuts out the view overhead, leaving you to ponder the colour of the traffic light above. Peering out your mail slot is similar to the visibility when the sun visors are down.
The rear seats, mind you, are truly expansive, allowing passengers to stretch out, enjoying best-in-class legroom. Available on all but the most basic LX-series cars is a rear-seat DVD entertainment screen, with flip-up screen mounted behind the centre armrest.
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| The rear seats are truly expansive, allowing passengers to stretch out, enjoying best-in-class legroom. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
A quick blast up to Niagara Falls, from the urban Greater Toronto Area, showed a side to the Charger that most will appreciate - its capability as a long-distance cruiser. With plenty of lumbar support on the front leather-trimmed buckets, tilt and telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable seats and pedals, it's easy to take in vast stretches of highway in one sitting. Even though it rides on 18-inch wheels, the 60-profile tires have plenty of sidewall on them to absorb pavement shock, while the Benz-derived suspension does its fair share to iron out bumps below. But even when there's some transmission of shock, the Charger remains tight with no squeaks or rattles to be felt, a testament to its solid character. Stiffer springs and dampers also mean that the car is firmer than the typical large American car; the associated bob, float, pitch and dive has rightfully been annulled.
