Looking for a family sedan that is not exactly a sports car, but that you can still treat like one as soon as you drop the kids off? Then you will definitely want to put the 2018 Dodge Charger R/T trim on your list of potential choices.
What are the best features of the 2018 Dodge Charger R/T trim?
Two main things: Engine power and price. You simply won’t find a better pairing of robust engine power with such a modest price in any other sedan. The R/T trim also boasts bigger performance tires than the lower Charger trim versions, along with an incredible brake system that gives you true confidence when you’re behind the wheel.
In this article, we’ll jump into the roomy interior of the 2018 Dodge Charger R/T and see what this trim level really has to offer.
A Look at the 2018 Dodge Charger
The 2018 Dodge Charger didn’t exactly set the world on fire. Expert reviewers ranked it dead last in the Sports Car category, while owners ranked it at #6 in its class. It has classic stylings and an unapologetic American look to it, but the car didn’t offer much in the way of innovation over previous versions.
The lower trim versions offered the Dodge Charger “look,” but paired with a smaller and more fuel-friendly V6 engine. The customization options really only start to make the vehicle shine when you upgrade to the R/T trim.
2018 Dodge Charger R/T: Powerful V8 Hemi
While the lower 2018 Dodge Charger trims offer a 292 horsepower V6 engine, the “mid-range” R/T provides a nice boost. The Hemi V8 offers 370 horsepower and the R/T can take off from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds.
You won’t win many street races in an R/T, but that’s not really the point. A Dodge Charger is really about sustained power on the roadway. That big boost in power does come with a slight fuel economy hit, however, shaving it down to 19 MPG (compared to 23MPG in lower trims).
Best Price-to-Power Ratio
You’re simply not going to find a better price on a V8 HEMI anywhere than in the R/T trim. The lower trim versions of the 2018 Dodge Charger can be found in the $24,000 range, while the R/T trim with the bigger V8 can be found for as little as $28,000 (as of 2020).
The higher trim levels of the 2018 Dodge Charger have bigger engines that are accompanied by much bigger price tags. The R/T Scat Pack and Daytona 392 trims have a 485 horsepower engine, but the base price jumps up over $38,000.
The SRT Hellcat trim offers an incredible 707 horsepower V8 for more than $51,000. It can go from 0 to 60 MPH about 0.8 seconds faster than the R/T — but is it worth an additional $23,000?
The Charger R/T’s Confident Braking System
It can defeat the whole purpose of a big, powerful engine in a car if it’s paired to a soft brake system. That’s not a problem in the 2018 Dodge Charter R/T. Its brakes are incredible.
The car has front and rear vented brake disks with ABS. Some may not like the fact that the 2018 Dodge Charger is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle with an automatic transmission, but the brake system does compensate for this somewhat.
The emergency braking system can bring the R/T from 60 MPH to a complete stop in just 111 feet. This car is truly in its element when handling winding paved roads through the hills.
It also helps tremendously that the R/T trim offers an upgrade to the tires. It has 20-inch performance wheels, compared to 17-inch standard wheels on the lower trims.
2018 Dodge Charger R/T Interior
The 2018 Dodge Charger R/T provides adequate legroom for all five seats. Taller people may not like the slope of the roof in the rear seats, but then that has always been a complaint about every Charger.
The front sport bucket seats are cloth-covered and heated, and the driver’s seat is power adjusted. All of the front instruments are laid out in a logical, user-friendly way. The dual front LCD screens are a nice touch in the R/T trim.
The Uconnect audio system in the R/T also comes in the 8.4″ size, which is bigger than the lower trim versions. The six-speaker base audio system is nice, but audiophiles will want to look for a used R/T that has the bigger ten-speaker setup.
Check the 2018 Dodge Charger R/T on Vehicle History
People who own Dodge Chargers have a tendency to beat the engines up over time. As a result, Chargers are notorious for not holding their resale value very well. Unless you want to pay too much for a 2018 Dodge Charger R/T for nostalgic reasons, you should always run a Vehicle History check on a car before you buy it!
