Dodge Charger SXT AWD
- Consumer Reports score: 75
- Price: $31,295
- Mileage:
- City - 18 mpg
- Highway - 27 mpg
Dodge takes its role as the performance arm of Chrysler very seriously, as its Charger flagship sedan proves. From the top of its head to its 19-inch alloy wheels and tires, the Charger looks agile and mean.
Although the tamer SXT with its 292-horsepower V-6 appears as one of our AWD cars because that's the vehicle Consumer Reports tested, the more potent Charger R/T with its 370-horsepower V-8 would slide in under the price ceiling.
Even with the V-6, the Charger is fun to drive. Fuel economy is decent, thanks in part to an eight-speed driver-shiftable automatic transmission. Charger has the roominess most of us expect in a full-size sedan, with a fair amount of luggage space.
The Charger isn't typically lumped in with luxury sedans, but it does provide a number of high-end bits of comfort and technology. It comes standard with keyless/remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror and an 8.4-inch color touch-screen interface. These are in addition to other standard equipment, such as Bluetooth connectivity, heated front seats and outboard mirrors, and a six-speaker audio system with iPod interface.