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2012 Dodge Charger vs. Its Competition

2012 Dodge Charger 4-door Sedan RT Max RWD Angular Front Exterior View
Martin Padgett Martin Padgett Editorial Director

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 4-door Sedan RT Max RWD Angular Front Exterior View2012 Dodge Charger
Browse Used Listings		2012 Chevrolet Impala 4-door Sedan LS Retail Angular Front Exterior View2012 Chevrolet Impala
Browse Used Listings		2012 Chrysler 300 SRT82012 Chrysler 300
Browse Used Listings		2012 Ford Taurus 4-door Sedan Limited FWD Angular Front Exterior View2012 Ford Taurus
Browse Used Listings		2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2-door 3.8L Auto Grand Touring w/Brn Lth Angular Front Exterior View2012 Hyundai Genesis
Browse Used Listings		2011 Nissan Maxima 4-door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 S Angular Front Exterior View2012 Nissan Maxima
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
8.0
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.
8.0
The 2012 Ford Taurus is handsome, safe, and well-equipped, but it's not as big inside as its big-car exterior suggests.
8.0
The 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is one of the best performance-car values, with several models fitting the needs of either daily commuters of track-day enthusiasts.
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$22,250$32,420
Gas Mileage     
14 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy18 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy14 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy17 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy16 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Gas V6Gas V6Gas V6Gas V6Turbocharged Gas I4Gas V6
EPA Class     
Large CarLarge CarsLarge CarsLarge CarsSubcompactMid-Size
Style Name     
4-Door Sedan SE RWD4-Door Sedan LS Retail4-Door Sedan V6 RWD4-Door Sedan SE FWD2-Door I4 2.0T Manual4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 S
Drivetrain     
Rear Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveRear Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveRear Wheel driveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
555545
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
Sedan4 Door Sedan4-Door SedanSedan2 Door Coupe4 Door Sedan
Transmission     
AutomaticAutomaticAutomatic w/manual shiftAutomatic w/manual shiftManualContinuously Variable
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2012 Dodge Charger vs. 2012 Chevrolet Impala2012 Dodge Charger vs. 2012 Chrysler 3002012 Dodge Charger vs. 2012 Ford Taurus2012 Dodge Charger vs. 2012 Hyundai Genesis2012 Dodge Charger vs. 2012 Nissan Maxima