2012 Dodge Charger vs. Its Competition

2012 Dodge Charger 4-door Sedan RT Max RWD Angular Front Exterior View

Meta Rating 8 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

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Mar 1, 2012

One of the few rear-drivers in the big four-door segment, the Dodge Charger has its most direct competitor in its own family--the Chrysler 300 shares almost all its running gear.

It's also pitched as more elegant than the Charger, and it carries off the black-suit look effortlessly.

Ford's Taurus is another big boy with big power, courtesy its SHO turbocharged V-6, but the rear seat is somewhat cramped for a car of its size.

The Hyundai Genesis is a softer alternative to a base Charger: it's less assertive in looks and handling, but has a more luxurious feel in its cabin and much stronger performance in V-6 base form.

Nissan's Maxima cuts a sharp figure but its CVT drivetrain is lackluster, and there's no all-wheel-drive option.

Lastly, the Chevrolet Impala has a new V-6 engine this year, but it's a dated design that's due to be replaced in the 2014 model year.

2012 Dodge Charger Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Chevrolet Impala Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Chrysler 300 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Ford Taurus Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Hyundai Genesis Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Nissan Maxima Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8 Cue the Springsteen: Blue-collar virtues get the hero treatment in the 2012 Dodge Charger.	6.6 The 2012 Impala has a dated design and lacks excitement, but a stronger, smoother powertrain should make its simple layout and excellent interior space more palatable.	8.4 Riper and more mature, the latest Chrysler 300 has classically handsome looks and in the right versions, big rear-drive fun.	8 The 2012 Ford Taurus is handsome, safe, and well-equipped, but it's not as big inside as its big-car exterior suggests.	8 The Genesis' impressive details and execution make it a pragmatic luxury-car choice, especially in the quick, plush V-6 version.	7.8 The 2012 Nissan Maxima is a great pick if you want a stylish, sporty, comfortable, and lavishly trimmed sedan; serious sport-sedan enthusiasts should look elsewhere, however.
MSRP From
$25,595	$25,760	$27,670	$25,555	$34,200	$32,420
Gas Mileage
14 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy	18 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy	14 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy	17 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy	16 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy	19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas V6	Gas V6	Gas V6	Gas V6	Gas V6	Gas V6
EPA Class
Large Car	Large Cars	Large Cars	Large Cars	Large car	Mid-Size
Style Name
4-Door Sedan SE RWD	4-Door Sedan LS Retail	4-Door Sedan V6 RWD	4-Door Sedan SE FWD	4-Door Sedan V6 3.8L	4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 S
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4-Door Sedan	Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan
Transmission
Automatic	Automatic	Automatic w/manual shift	Automatic w/manual shift	Automatic w/manual shift	Continuously Variable