LOOKS

The Dodge Charger is an interesting vehicle, in that it offers a lot of really powerful engines, yet is large enough to fit a small family. Unlike other sporty rides that tend to work best for two, if you have a family of daredevils everyone can enjoy the ride in this one.

Internal materials are not luxurious, but still have a quality feel. This car is about the engine, not the feel of the knobs inside, so no need to quibble here.

The exterior glares at you with some garish paint options -- but this is a muscle car; plain vanilla won’t work. The muscular design and unique hood convey the powerful edge the Charger offers before you even step into it.

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER

So what’s all the hype about under the hood?

The Charger R/T Scat Pack features a 6.4-liter V8 HEMI that offers an impressive 485 horsepower, plus 475 lb.-ft. of torque. It offers an 8-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters if you want a manual feel to it.

With numbers like that, you’re going to get moving quickly, and you’ll enjoy the ride very much as you do so. It’s not quite as extreme (or should I say insane) as the 700+ horsepower offered on the Hellcat Dodge rides, but that’s OK. It’s still a great example of a classic muscle car still in action, thumbing its nose (or perhaps it grille, to be more accurate) at all the hybrids humming quietly down the street.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

My test vehicle featured some options I would recommend, including an impressive 10-speaker Beats audio system with subwoofer and 552-watt amplifier that sounds pretty incredible. I also had the always impressive UConnect system -- with its large 8.4-inch touchscreen that is user-friendly and also responds well to voice controls.

You also get well-placed and helpful controls on front and back of the steering wheel.

Safety features on the Charger R/T Scat Pack include the ParkSense rear park assist system and the ParkView rear back-up camera, which work together to help you avoid fender-benders. There is also a tire pressure monitor display and the usual array of airbags, plus anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control.

MPG
Official numbers on the Charger R/T Scat Pack are 15 city/25 highway/18 combined.; I averaged about 16 to 17 mpg, but I was pushing the vehicle and not testing in fuel-saving mode; in a car like this, it’s pretty hard to restrain yourself in the name of fuel mileage; but be careful and don’t go too crazy, as it’s very easy to speed.

PRICE
The 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack that I tested starts at $39,995, and the price grew to $42,680 with options added. The most basic version of the Charger (with a more tame motor) is closer to $28K, so there are a variety of options if the Charger is a vehicle you’re considering.

BOTTOM LINE
Dodge is continuing its effort to grow the popularity of its rebirthed classic car makes with the 2015 Charger R/T Scat Pack, and this model lives up to the hype. It looks beautiful, the engine is unlike any other you’ll hear, and it will get you moving like few other vehicles can. Those seeking more eco-friendly rides will obviously not be interested, but fans of muscle cars have a lot to like here in this throwback ride.

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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.