2013 Dodge Charger vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

The Dodge Charger isn't quite part of the luxury-car realm, and it isn't quite a muscle-car or full-on sport sedan in most of its variations, but it's good playing all of those roles.

Chrysler's own 300 sedans are the Charger's most direct competition; the Chrysler shares nearly all the same running gear, but it's a bit more elegant and carries off the black-suit look effortlessly.

The Ford Taurus is an alternative to the Charger, and in turbocharged SHO guise it's quick and more engaging, but its rear seat is disappointingly small.

Hyundai has its rear-wheel-drive Genesis sedan, which is a softer, less assertive alternative to the Charger, although it's a solid straight-line performer.

The Nissan Maxima really looks the part of a sport sedan, but its CVT drivetrain is lackluster, and there's no all-wheel-drive option.

As for other models, there are few that offer what the Charger does, with such overt styling and strong V-8 engines; the Jaguar XF lineup is probably the closest match in style and attitude, even though it costs much more.