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.
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 2012 Dodge ChargerBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Chevrolet ImpalaBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Chrysler 300Browse Used Listings |  2012 Ford TaurusBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Hyundai GenesisBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Nissan MaximaBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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Cue the Springsteen: Blue-collar virtues get the hero treatment in the 2012 Dodge Charger. |
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. |
Riper and more mature, the latest Chrysler 300 has classically handsome looks and in the right versions, big rear-drive fun. |
The 2012 Ford Taurus is handsome, safe, and well-equipped, but it's not as big inside as its big-car exterior suggests. |
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. |
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 Hwy | 18 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Turbocharged Gas I4 | Gas V6 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Large Car | Large Cars | Large Cars | Large Cars | Subcompact | Mid-Size |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door Sedan SE RWD | 4-Door Sedan LS Retail | 4-Door Sedan V6 RWD | 4-Door Sedan SE FWD | 2-Door I4 2.0T Manual | 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 | 4 | 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 | 2 Door Coupe | 4 Door Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic | Automatic | Automatic w/manual shift | Automatic w/manual shift | Manual | Continuously Variable |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2012 Dodge Charger vs. 2012 Chevrolet Impala | 2012 Dodge Charger vs. 2012 Chrysler 300 | 2012 Dodge Charger vs. 2012 Ford Taurus | 2012 Dodge Charger vs. 2012 Hyundai Genesis | 2012 Dodge Charger vs. 2012 Nissan Maxima | |
