Thanks to a comprehensive upgrade for the new model year, the 2012 Dodge Charger recently earned one of the industry’s top recognitions when Automobile Magazine named it a “2012 All-Star.”
“The interior is sophisticated, the exterior design is striking, and it is thrilling to drive,” said Jean Jennings, president and editor-in-chief of Automobile Magazine. “The Charger definitely earned its place on this very exclusive All-Star list.”
Jack Shelton at Seattle Dodge agrees.
“It’s one of the easiest vehicles for us to sell. Once someone drives it, they’re done. Sign them up.”
That’s no doubt because the Charger offers drivers its own exclusive features, including a cutting-edge eight-speed automatic transmission. The Charger was the first domestic sports sedan to introduce an eight-gear automatic, and the unit, combined with the standard and award-winning Pentastar V6 engine, helps translate 292-hp into some stellar fuel-economy marks, including:
- Best-in-class highway fuel economy—31 mpg highway
- Best-in-class V6 AWD fuel economy—18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway
- Best-in-class combined fuel economy—23 mpg with RWD, 21 mpg with AWD
- Unsurpassed city fuel economy in its class—19 mpg city RWD, 18 mpg AWD
- Unsurpassed overall fuel economy in its class—19 mpg city and 31 mpg highway with RWD
Of course, the Charger is anything but a mere econobox. As Automobile Magazine’s Ezra Dryer notes: “The new Charger is more polished in style and execution, but … beneath the dapper duds, you know it’s capable of some mayhem.”
That’s because in addition to its robust V6, the Charger can supply two serious mayhem-enhancers: A pair of HEMI V8s. The Charger R/T holsters a 5.7-liter mill that produces 370 hp and 395 lb.-ft. of torque, while the flagship Charger SRT8 boasts an all-new 6.4-liter power plant worth 470 hp and a matching 470 lb.-ft. of torque.
All of which is just part of the reason that, according to Dryer: “Every now and then—like now—we need to take a step back and celebrate the fact that Dodge still makes a car like this. Because nobody else does.”
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