I’m a giant fan of the Kia Stinger, a lot in order that I believe it’s the most effective automobile introductions of the final decade. It was fantastic: a four-door sedan with GT-like proportions and a liftback powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine — and you might have it with all-wheel drive. Until you spent massive cash with one of many German manufacturers, the place else have been you going to discover a automobile like that? What made it even higher was that it got here from such an surprising place, Kia.

Sadly although low gross sales, patrons nonetheless caught up in badge notion and a market largely shifting away from distinctive, enjoyable stuff for boring crossovers killed the Stinger and it was discontinued for the 2023 mannequin 12 months. Fortunately Dodge has stepped in with a alternative for the Stinger within the new Charger. Sure, I’m about to match an out-of-production Korean efficiency sedan with an all-new Dodge that isn’t even on sale but.

In releasing the specs and particulars of the all-new Dodge Charger, it dawned on me that Dodge is giving us practically the precise automobile that Kia took from us. At their most elementary, they’re the identical. The Stinger was obtainable with a base 2.5-liter 300 horsepower turbocharged I4 or an non-compulsory 3.3-liter 365 hp V6 with non-compulsory all-wheel drive for each engines.

With the brand new Charger, Dodge is giving it the choice of two completely different variations of its 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane I6 engine, however wording from the Dodge web site is making it appear as if the high-output engine will solely be obtainable within the two-door Charger; we’ll have to attend and see. Both means although, you possibly can have your I6 with both 420 hp or a powerful 550 hp within the high-output model. Each get paired with customary all-wheel drive and eight-speed computerized transmissions.

Each the Stinger and the Charger sedan are four-door liftbacks (or hatchbacks if that’s what you wish to name them. Dodge calls the Charger’s hatch a “hidden hatch.” No matter.) So far as dimensions, the Charger sedan has the outdated Stinger beat. The Charger is huge, with a 121-inch wheelbase and an total size of 206.6-inches. This implies the Charger’s wheelbase is 6.6-inches longer than the Stinger (114.4-inches) and its total size is 16.4-inches longer than the Stinger (190.2-inches). Weirdly although these massive dimensions don’t translate into massive cargo house.

The Stinger has the Charger barely beat on cargo capability. With the rear seats up, there’s 23.Three cubic toes of cargo house within the Stinger, in comparison with 22.eight within the Dodge; that grows to 40.9 cubic toes with the seats folded within the Stinger and 37.Four cubic toes within the Charger. Throw in one other 1.Four cubic toes for the Charger EV with its frunk.

However you get the thought. Dodge has inadvertently given us an American follow-up to the Kia Stinger in what’s actually one of the crucial excellent automobile physique types you should purchase — that is made even higher by the truth that you will get the identical powertrain setup in coupe. Positive the outrageous Hemi V8s are gone, however the place else are you going to discover a massive, all-wheel drive sedan with a liftback and highly effective straight-six engine? Definitely not from another American automaker that’s for certain. If the value is true — and I pray it’s — as soon as the gas-powered Chargers go on sale in 2025, Dodge simply may need an lovers hit on its arms.