Given the fact that the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT-8 is as capable of unleashing mayhem as it is sedately shuttling your kids to school, it’s not unreasonable to expect it to be as safe as it is fast. To their credit, SRT engineers understood this dichotomy and gave their newest four-door hot rod a long list of safety features that results in top-notch crash-test scores.

On the active safety side, the Charger SRT-8 includes standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes with Brake Assist, a bit of technology that helps bring maximum braking power to bear in panic stops. Traction control and electronic stability control, which can detect an impending skid and automatically intervene to keep the car pointed in the right direction, are also standard.

If things do go from bad to worse and a crash is unavoidable, multi-stage front airbags with an occupant classification system that matches the force of the airbags’ deployment to the size of the passenger and the severity of the impact should help soften the blow. An Emergency Accident Response System that turns on the inside light, unlocks the doors, and shuts off fuel flow to the engine after an airbag deploys also add peace of mind.

Two other important safety features on the options list are worthy of mention. Power-adjustable accelerator and brake pedals allow shorter drivers to position themselves a safe distance away from the steering wheel-mounted airbag.. Side-curtain airbags reduce the chance of head injuries for occupants of both rows, and are a must-have option.

Crash-test results for the 2006 Dodge Charger are impressive. According to the NHTSA, the driver and front passenger locations get five-star protection ratings, and in side impacts the front seat occupants get a four-star designation while rear seat riders benefit from five-star levels of safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety calls the 2006 Dodge Charger a “best pick” in its class for its exceptional protection in an offset, head-on collision.