2022 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody
The Charger embodies a fascinating place in the American marketplace: a long-in-the-tooth sedan that Dodge product and marketing departments have transformed into a vehicle high on many muscle car fans’ want lists. It’s also slated to be replaced in 2024 with EV power, which may be the death knell except for the fact that Dodge seems intent on maintaining the same DNA. We can’t imagine what that will look like, but we do like what Dodge currently produces for 2022-23. The 2022 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody I drove has several features that will break necks while driving around town at breakneck speed. Fear not, as Dodge has opened the gates of Hell and allowed the infamous Hellcat to make room for the Dodge Charger Scat Pack, because you will never have to worry about not being seen or heard.
Dodge has continued to carry the tradition of providing drivers with a thrilling and powerful rear-wheel drive V8 monster with this release. The 2022 Dodge Charger continues to offer several models that include the following:
- Charger SXT
- Charger GT RWD
- Charger R/T
- Charger Scat Pack
- Charger Scat Pack Widebody
- Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody
- Charger SRT Jailbreak
Chargers are available with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, 5.7-liter Hemi, 6.4-liter 392 Hemi, or supercharged 6.2-liter (376ci) Hemi, with output up to 807 horsepower. All feature an eight-speed shiftable automatic.
The Car
The 2022 Dodge Charger Scat Pack MSRP starts at $47,385 and can end up close to $65,000 for the Widebody model like what I drove. Start with choosing among a plethora of exterior paints including White Knuckle, Octane Red, Go Mango or Pitch Black — ours was Smoke Show gray ($95). If the paint isn’t enough to tempt you, then don’t miss the stripe and satin black-painted hood/roof/roof/trunk/spoiler options. Add the Scat Pack Widebody ($5,995), then spec out the standard five-spoke 20 x 9-inch low-gloss Granite Crystal wheels or choose one of two optional 20 x 11-inch wheels, one low-gloss black or the other seven-spoke Carbon Black jobs. The latter is only available when the Hemi Orange Package is specified (more on that below) and when paired with certain hues (black, gray, silver or white). You also have the choice to select the standard 305/35ZR20 all-season performance tires or, for the modest price penalty of $695, upgrade to the three-season version. If you absolutely, positively need more distinction, you can select the red brake calipers for that enhanced wow factor.
Some packages worthy of note include: the Plus Group ($2,095, including many comfort and convenience features), Carbon/Suede Interior Package ($1,595), Driver Confidence Group ($890, which includes HID headlights and locking lug nuts), Hemi Orange Package ($1,500), Navigation & Travel Group ($995, with 8.5-inch touch screen display, GPS, Sirius XM Travel Link and Traffic Plus) and Harman Kardon Audio Group ($1,795), which allows you to crank up the surround sound powered by a Harman Kardon GreenEdge amplifier driving 19 Harman Kardon GreenEdge speakers.
You may have heard about the “Last Call” series of Dodges that have been announced in a serial fashion as a way for Dodge to end the gasoline era with several limited-edition vehicles. Those vehicles share much of the same equipment but, due to their limited-edition status, they may be priced differently than what’s listed above.
Exterior
The first thing that grabbed my attention was the unique Smoke Show hue. I’ve been noticing several manufactures use pastel or matte color options, and Smoke Show is one that sets you apart from most other vehicles on the road aside of the day-glo High Impact colors. But then, suddenly, you are slapped with the offset black stripe with orange tracer, compliments of the Hemi Orange Package, which also includes orange brake calipers, 392 badges, flat-bottom steering wheel (also included with the Widebody package), special interior with ventilated seats and orange stitching, and more. But what really makes this Charger stand out from other Chargers you see on the road is the Widebody package with its body-colored fender flares. The addition gives the Charger Scat Pack character not often seen in a family sedan.
Interior
Whether you are looking for a daily-driver thrill ride or something that can carry your entire tribe, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody provides ample passenger leg room and comfort for up to five passengers, though the center rear passenger may balk at times. The 16.5 cubic feet available in the trunk could easily hide several bodies, if not several American Tourister bags. Aside of size and storage, the sheer feeling of luxury, comfort and convenience is exceptional. Ventilated power front seats, illuminated cup holders in the rear, premium-stitched dash panel, LED lamps all around, power tilt/telescoping steering column, real carbon fiber interior accents and suede headliner really provide an additional confidence boost, making you feel like king (or queen) of the road. The Hemi Orange Package also includes orange interior accent stitch, heated seats for left/right backseat passengers, and even two-way power lumbar-adjustable passenger seat.
Engine
Coming at you with a 485-horsepower 6.4 L V8 SRT Hemi, the Charger moves… allow me to clarify: it MOVES! Zero to sixty is reached in a bit over 4 seconds. A guy with a badge might even say it will get you from zero to jail in no time. Trust me — you won’t be disappointed if you need to step on the gas. The 475 lb-ft of torque pushes you back into your seat enough to give you that thrill you may be seeking (if not the thrill you may have been missing). I was thoroughly impressed (and somewhat shocked) that a car like this is available to just anyone with a license. In fact, it made me a bit curious about getting into the higher-performing trims like the Hellcat Redeye.
In terms of fuel economy, well, I hope you’re not looking to save on gas, though the Multi-Displacement System may help you achieve better than the combined city/highway average of 18 MPG (15 City/24 Highway) if you keep an egg between your foot and the gas pedal. Additionally, the “SRT button” offers the ability to fine-tune presets (Auto/Street, Sport or Track) or personalized custom settings to suit your driving inclinations. My favorite was Track mode, thanks to engine response and perceived aggressive exhaust sounds. Interested in doing some burnouts? The line lock feature that you can activate allows the front brakes to lock independently of the rears via an electric solenoid that controls a valve that allows the brakes to be controlled individually. Super easy and effective! There are so many more features to cover, which you can see in the video to learn first-hand all of what you have at your fingertips.
The Drive
I’m pretty sure I made it clear that this car moves, but how is the overall driving experience? Initial impressions suggest everything feels very well-crafted and tight, which I would expect being that this vehicle weighs just over 4,300 pounds. The Charger’s size and weight does not hinder control, with the turning radius and handling surprisingly nimble for a mid-sized car (yes, the EPA classifies size by interior volume, and the Charger is not a large car in this regard). The suspension seemed a bit on the stiff side, but it certainly helped with curvy roads and tight turns at midrange speeds. Road noise is actually on the low side and, if you are concerned about the drone from the exhaust, you won’t even notice it if you let up on the gas or cruise at conservative speeds on a local street. Don’t get me wrong — if you want to hear the exhaust, give it a little gas and you will have your urge satisfied.
In terms of safety ratings, Dodge did well to bring in an overall vehicle safety score of five stars according to the NHTSA compared to other vehicles of similar size and weight. I felt extremely safe driving the Charger for the duration it was in my possession (as did my wife, though I didn’t try drifting with her so …!). Safety features include Blind-Spot Monitoring, Forward Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Alerts as part of the Plus Group.
The Verdict
The 2022 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, especially as a Widebody, is a fine combination of performance, style and value as only an American brand can do. Expect to spend a fair amount on gas if your idea of fun is whipping around the roads and getting pushed back into your seat. To get the most bang for your buck, I highly recommend the Scat Pack for its reliable and prodigious V8 performance and extensive customization options. Don’t overlook the Widebody package, as it not only gives the Charger a stance second to none, but also because it adds enhanced suspension, high-performance brakes, and wider tires with more grip.
Source: www.classiccars.com