Consumer Reports gets 4dr R/T Charger 6 Pack ... hmmm

[CareerFirefighter]

The guy complains too much:

• awkward electric door handles (they're actually easy to use)
• acceleration isn't as linear unless you're in Sport Mode (duh?)
• handling isn't its strongest suit (for 4,900 lbs, it handles great!)
• difficulty loading cargo (thank goodness it has a hatch for easy loading)
• the squarish squircle steering wheel (common in most performance cars)
• closing the lift gate (there's a button for that on the inside of the lift gate)
• rear window visibility doesn't appear very big (ever drive a 2010+ Camaro?)
• dead pedal is tilted too far forward (so relax your foot and let it rest forward)
• the ride quality is a bit firm, not luxurious (dude, you're in a DODGE CHARGER)
• pistol grip gear selector feels funny (it's been an iconic shifter design since 1970)
• dashboard's touch capacitive buttons take getting used to (took me about 5 min)
• lack of a full size spare (points out the vehicle's large size, then wants a full size spare)
• right knee rubs up against center console (so don't rub your knee against the console)
• the driver seems hemmed in (it's a sports sedan, get an SUV if you want more headroom)
• rear seat too confining (most hi-performance sedans don't have extra spacious rear seating)
• heated steering wheel/seats warm up slowly (would you prefer unsafe instant-on heated seats?)
• seat comfort (I sat in a VW R, couldn't take it for more than 5 seconds, this car's seats are 100x better)
• the car's width make the doors seem large, issues opening them in parking lots (be careful and learn how to park)
• forward visibility issue from low mounted rear view mirror (watching planes take off at the airport wasn't this car's #1 priority)

Can't really agree with Consumer Reports criticisms here.

 

[Pioneer4x441]

The guy complains too much:

• awkward electric door handles (they're actually easy to use)
• acceleration isn't as linear unless you're in Sport Mode (duh?)
• handling isn't its strongest suit (for 4,900 lbs, it handles great!)
• difficulty loading cargo (thank goodness it has a hatch for easy loading)
• the squarish squircle steering wheel (common in most performance cars)
• closing the lift gate (there's a button for that on the inside of the lift gate)
• rear window visibility doesn't appear very big (ever drive a 2010+ Camaro?)
• dead pedal is tilted too far forward (so relax your foot and let it rest forward)
• the ride quality is a bit firm, not luxurious (dude, you're in a DODGE CHARGER)
• pistol grip gear selector feels funny (it's been an iconic shifter design since 1970)
• dashboard's touch capacitive buttons take getting used to (took me about 5 min)
• lack of a full size spare (points out the vehicle's large size, then wants a full size spare)
• right knee rubs up against center console (so don't rub your knee against the console)
• the driver seems hemmed in (it's a sports sedan, get an SUV if you want more headroom)
• rear seat too confining (most hi-performance sedans don't have extra spacious rear seating)
• heated steering wheels/seats warm up slowly (would you prefer unsafe instant-on heated seats?)
• seat comfort (I sat in a VW R, couldn't take it for more than 5 seconds, this car's seats are 100x better)
• the car's width make the doors seem large, issues opening them in parking lots (be careful and learn how to park)
• forward visibility issue from low mounted rear view mirror (watching planes take off at the airport wasn't this car's #1 priority)

Can't really agree with Consumer Reports criticisms here.

They have always been critical of MOPAR. I guess they don't get paid enough. And yep, I agree with almost everything you said about them except for the last one. The rearview mirror does block a LOT of my view. I'm a big guy, 6' 260# and I have to move my head down and to the right to see under/past it at stop signs at times. It is now instinctive, and no big deal, but it did take a bit until I got used to it.
But yeah, most of your list is either personal preference, and most of it I did PREFER, and bought the car (well, I got the Daytona, but all but the linear acceleration applies). The lift gate (hidden hatch) is awesome, and simple other than the stupidly placed button in the taillight (try seeing it at night when the approach lighting comes on). The door button is awesome after 1 day, everything about the driving position and seats/wheel/buttons/shifter is perfect.
Rear seat is confining? WTF? I can sit back there behind my position. It is a HUGE back seat for a 2 door, heck, even a 4 door CAR.
Yes, the heated seats (and steering wheel!) do heat up slow, but they work fine, not anything to complain about.
The car's width... Yes anything about the width, it is the WIDEST car, period. .2" wider it would need clearance lights by Federal Law. That is why we bought it!
I would love a spare, any spare, but that is the way of the world now.
They should have tested a car with the PLUS pack, do they mention it is the base model, base trim and options?

 

[CareerFirefighter]

They have always been critical of MOPAR. I guess they don't get paid enough. And yep, I agree with almost everything you said about them except for the last one. The rearview mirror does block a LOT of my view. I'm a big guy, 6' 260# and I have to move my head down and to the right to see under/past it at stop signs at times. It is now instinctive, and no big deal, but it did take a bit until I got used to it.
But yeah, most of your list is either personal preference, and most of it I did PREFER, and bought the car (well, I got the Daytona, but all but the linear acceleration applies). The lift gate (hidden hatch) is awesome, and simple other than the stupidly placed button in the taillight (try seeing it at night when the approach lighting comes on). The door button is awesome after 1 day, everything about the driving position and seats/wheel/buttons/shifter is perfect.
Rear seat is confining? WTF? I can sit back there behind my position. It is a HUGE back seat for a 2 door, heck, even a 4 door CAR.
Yes, the heated seats (and steering wheel!) do heat up slow, but they work fine, not anything to complain about.
The car's width... Yes anything about the width, it is the WIDEST car, period. .2" wider it would need clearance lights by Federal Law. That is why we bought it!
I would love a spare, any spare, but that is the way of the world now.
They should have tested a car with the PLUS pack, do they mention it is the base model, base trim and options?

Thnx for your comments. I'm also 6 ft and so far haven't noticed any issues with forward visibility. But I've only had the car for a week Lol
As far as width goes, I had a Durango 392 before this car so I'm used to wide vehicles. Durango didn't fit in tight spots, and not this one either.
And yes, they mentioned the few options the car had at the beginning of the vid. They said the destination charge was the highest thing on the sticker.

 

[8pack-21]

Can confirm, rear view mirror does obstruct view almost entirely for cars at the right of four way stops etc. The number of times I’ve been like damn… where the hell did that car come from is not great.

I suppose if you sit with a deep lean/ really reclined, not an issue, but I personally am not gonna whip 550hp around sitting like that.

Mirror should have been higher,period, and I can’t quite figure out why it’s not.


Consumer Reports in general has always been biased to Japanese cars. I think they get paid off.


Which reminds me, I read an autoblog article yesterday that just absolutely railed the RAM 1500 2026 with a 5/100… the crazy thing is… some of the stuff mentioned doesn’t even make sense and the author points to articles that have nothing to do with the Hurricane.

“Ram 1500 – Reliability Score: 5/100


Scoring an apocalyptic 5 out of 100, the 2026 Ram 1500 is officially the worst pickup truck Consumer Reports has ever evaluated. The nightmare begins with a parasitic proximity keyless entry system that drains the battery overnight, triggering a cascade of electrical glitches and dead cells.


Under the hood, the flagship Hurricane twin-turbo inline-6 is melting catalytic converters and leaking coolant into the intake, leading to catastrophic engine failure. Even the Hemi V8 option suffers from broken manifold bolts and lifter tick. Combined with massive recalls for fire-prone trailer brake modules and blanking dashboard screens, a score of 5 means nearly every owner surveyed reported multiple, severe problems.”





Excerpt From


“Ram 1500 Tops A Brutal List Of New Pickup Reliability Losers”


Leroy Marion


Autoblog

Ram 1500 Tops A Brutal List Of New Pickup Reliability Losers — Autoblog

Consumer Reports just exposed the 11 worst 2026 pickup trucks. From blown engines to dead batteries, see which brand-new trucks you need to avoid buying today.

apple.news

This material may be protected by copyright.

 

[baabootoo39]

Yes, a LOT of those "influencers" repeat junk others say for views!!!!!!!!!

 

[aceinspp41]

Well I'm 6ft 3 and have no issues for head room. Only down side I have is when I drive up to a ATM and I have to raise the seat to be able to reach inserting card and other functions. I like being able to raise and lower seat gives me plenty of head room. Have not noticed the rear view mirror blocking my view. Pioneer4x4 mentioned (The lift gate (hidden hatch) is awesome, and simple other than the stupidly placed button in the taillight (try seeing it at night when the approach lighting comes on). Simple solution use key fob Later RJD

 

[CareerFirefighter]

... Have not noticed the rear view mirror blocking my view ...

I've had the car for over a week now and haven't noticed it either.

 

[Devcom41]

I think Consumer reports with coupes in general started doing the whole visibility thing where you couldn't see out the back side because of the rear pillar and knocked the car on that even though if you set your mirrors correctly you can see what was there anyway. I stopped taking them seriously a while ago and now I just watch them to see what dumb things they can think of to put negative points on a vehicle.

 

[CareerFirefighter]

... I stopped taking them seriously a while ago and now I just watch them to see what dumb things they can think of to put negative points on a vehicle.

Agreed.

 

[CareerFirefighter]

... Which reminds me, I read an autoblog article yesterday that just absolutely railed the RAM 1500 2026 with a 5/100… the crazy thing is… some of the stuff mentioned doesn’t even make sense and the author points to articles that have nothing to do with the Hurricane.

“Ram 1500 – Reliability Score: 5/100

Under the hood, the flagship Hurricane twin-turbo inline-6 is melting catalytic converters and leaking coolant into the intake, leading to catastrophic engine failure. Even the Hemi V8 option suffers from broken manifold bolts and lifter tick. Combined with massive recalls for fire-prone trailer brake modules and blanking dashboard screens, a score of 5 means nearly every owner surveyed reported multiple, severe problems.”

CarTipsDaily.com had an article (updated 3/9/26) where they talked about Dodge RAM 3.0L Hurricane vs. 5.7 Hemi reliability.
The hemi seems to have its own list of issues. It is no more reliable/unreliable than the Hurricane.:
https://cartipsdaily.com/3-0-hurricane-engine-problem

st

 

[Chevyguy5]

In what universe would ANY OTHER CAR have more interior room. I could not even get into a 24 Caddy CT5 without hitting my head on the roof, some other cars even worse. Even my 16 Charger my leg is firm against the door panel. I moved my seat all the way up and tilted on the rear a bit, more comfortable for my left foot something about the angle. Rear vis, not great and the sensor pod/mirror is too big, another new car problem. The windshield is more upright and closer to the driver vs my 16 which may add to the mirror issues.

 

[Chevyguy5]

CarTipsDaily.com had an article (updated 3/9/26) where they talked about Dodge RAM 3.0L Hurricane vs. 5.7 Hemi reliability.
The hemi seems to have its own list of issues. It is no more reliable/unreliable than the Hurricane.:
https://cartipsdaily.com/3-0-hurricane-engine-problem

View attachment 1252

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The 25 Ram was riddled with a litany of failures, let alone anything related to the 3.0 TT engine. And reliability data for the 22-25 Wagoneer, it's a Jeep they can kill anything

 

[Pioneer4x441]

In what universe would ANY OTHER CAR have more interior room. ...

 

[baabootoo39]

To me, no car is PERFECT for me or my body or my preferences. However, I will just adjust to get the main features that I wanted in the car initially; AWD, hatchback, and TT engine. I think on all of them, I have taped something to the dead pedal to make it higher or angle it differently. I remember some complaining about the "high floor", but I never saw anyone driving yet with their knees up!

 

[CareerFirefighter]

The 25 Ram was riddled with a litany of failures, let alone anything related to the 3.0 TT engine. And reliability data for the 22-25 Wagoneer, it's a Jeep they can kill anything

Yup, they showed the hemi is just as problematic as any other engine. Maybe even more so ...

 

[CareerFirefighter]

To me, no car is PERFECT for me or my body or my preferences. However, I will just adjust to get the main features that I wanted in the car initially; AWD, hatchback, and TT engine. I think on all of them, I have taped something to the dead pedal to make it higher or angle it differently. I remember some complaining about the "high floor", but I never saw anyone driving yet with their knees up!

100% agreed. I remember racing Fox body Stangs, and prior to 1986 Ford used the 7.5" rear axle which barely met the torque specs of the engine.
They were prone to breakage with any amount of spirited use, even on stock to mildly modded cars. Ask me how I know.
Then in 1986, Ford introduced the 8.8" rear axle. Problem solved! Stangs still use variants of that axle to this very day.

 

[CareerFirefighter]

In what universe would ANY OTHER CAR have more interior room. I could not even get into a 24 Caddy CT5 without hitting my head on the roof, some other cars even worse. Even my 16 Charger my leg is firm against the door panel ...

Exactly. Camaros/Stangs do not have a functional rear seat. And many of the cars internet reviewers compare the Charger to are (regarding interior room) basically toy cars by comparison, not to mention seriously more expensive.

Here's the top down view from Throttle House's comparo. The M4 Competition costs $36,500 more, and the Audi RS3 $11,000 more.
And don't expect to put anything in the "back seat" of those unless it's your pet or maybe a few bags of groceries.

 

[Devcom41]

I can confirm the back seat of the Camaro is useless except for items. It is nice I can buckle those items in securely though since people can't fit back there. lol

 

[aceinspp41]

Well I'll say one thing my 2018 Ram 3/4 with 6.4 never had any issues mostly the 5.7 did later RJD

 

[Chevyguy5]

Exactly. Camaros/Stangs do not have a functional rear seat. And many of the cars internet reviewers compare the Charger to are (regarding interior room) basically toy cars by comparison, not to mention seriously more expensive.

Here's the top down view from Throttle House's comparo. The M4 Competition costs $36,500 more, and the Audi RS3 $11,000 more.
And don't expect to put anything in the "back seat" of those unless it's your pet or maybe a few bags of groceries.

View attachment 1254

Neither car can carry 4 20x11 wheels and luggage, some people don't care about room, its all a choice. I lost alot of weight but still 6'2" I sat in a durango waiting for the insurance rider ( 5 MIN TO SPARE) and is was noticably more cramped than the Charger. Heck I can even reach the seat controls with the door shut.

I did fit in a Fiat 500 with some issues, same with a Miata would need goggles