With plenty of power and interior space, the 2012 Dodge Charger is an athletic alternative to competing affordable large cars.
Reviewers agree that if you’re looking for a large car that doesn’t skimp on performance, it’s tough to beat the 2012 Dodge Charger. Thanks to a new, optional eight-speed automatic transmission, test drivers agree that the V6-powered Charger is no longer for bargain-basement shoppers who can’t afford the V8 model. “The 2012 Dodge Charger fares well as a large sedan,” writes Edmunds. “But when it comes to affordable performance, the Charger has no peer.”
While V8-powered Chargers have always gotten the nod for performance, test drivers complained that the 2011 model fell short with its outdated transmission. Now that there’s an eight-speed automatic on the options list, they say the V6 Charger is the model of choice. It’s lighter and nimbler than the V8, and when equipped with the eight-speed automatic, the Charger delivers some of the best fuel economy in the segment.
In the end, the Charger offers a level of practicality that matches most competing affordable large cars, but it also trumps many class leaders with engaging driving dynamics and performance that cars like the Toyota Avalon just can’t match. If you want the best of both worlds, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a car that walks the line better than the 2012 Dodge Charger.
