2020 Dodge Charger
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.6L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 8-spd |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 19 / 30 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,600 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 389 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $29,739–$36,259 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.1/10, the 2020 Dodge Charger earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.5/10, while Safety at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate the Dodge Charger's reliability at 8.5/10 — among the strongest in our sedan database, reflecting the nameplate's track record and recall history. Safety is a notable gap at 6.5/10 in our scoring — below what the best in segment deliver. Check the official NHTSA ratings for the trim you're considering before deciding.
The 8.1/10 performance score reflects a chassis and powertrain that punch above the segment norm — this is a sedan you choose partly for the drive itself. Technology comes in at 7.3/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $29,739–$36,259, 18 MPG, seating 5, the Dodge Charger sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. Value lands at 7.5/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2020 Dodge Charger, but it needs the right buyer. Its safety scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2020 Dodge Charger ranks #982 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 25% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $29,739 starting price is about 8% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$14,585 ($2,917/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 3 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Dodge Charger scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.1 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.4/10 | $34,808 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.4/10 | $34,808 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.4/10 | $33,795 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.3/10 | $32,781 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $31,767 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $30,753 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 7.1/10 | $29,739 | |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $28,725 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $27,711 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $26,698 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $25,684 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.9/10 | $24,670 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 27/08/2020 · 20V512000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with a "stealth mode." When stealth mode is selected, the backup camera rearview image will not display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles… |
|---|---|
| Visibility / Windshield 08/07/2021 · 21V516000 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these… |
| Air bags / Side/window / Curtain / Inflator 14/03/2024 · 24V198000 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2020 Dodge Charger that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2020 Dodge Charger's reliability 8.5/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.1/10 overall, ranking #982 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 25% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2020 Dodge Charger starts at $29,739 and ranges up to $36,259 across trims (MSRP when new). At 18 MPG, expect roughly $2,917/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Charger years we've rated are 2015 (6.9/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
The documented issues for the 2020 Dodge Charger are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Back over prevention, Visibility, Air bags (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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Explore the full lineup of Dodge models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.