2012 Dodge Charger

The vast family of 2012 Charger has a total of 7 trim levels on offer, namely, SE, SXT, RT, SXT Plus, RT Plus, Road/Track, and RT Max. All the RTs and Road/Track trims are equipped with a powerful V8 motor option, while the remaining trims are fitted with a V6 motor. The features like 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition automatic headlamps, cruise control, dual-zone climate control AC, power-adjustable seats, and touchscreen infotainment with CD player are the standard in the trims. 

While the 18-inch alloys, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, leather seat upholstery, and satellite radio are kept optional for SE and SXT trims. And top-of-the-line RT max and Road/Track offered with massive 20-inch alloys, and all the features which are optional for SE and SXT are standard in these trims. The performance variants will be reviewed separately

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The SXT Plus will be a better option. It offers some luxurious amenities like leather seats with heating function, dual-zone automatic AC, and a larger infotainment panel that supports various connectivity and features. Although, its RWD variant is a good option to consider, or you can opt for its AWD variant also if you wish.

The 2012 Dodge Charger is offered with two engine options, one is the 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 motor mated with an 8-speed automatic gearbox that produces 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque, which is offered with SE, SXT, and SXT Plus trim options. While the more powerful 5.7-liter V8 motor is offered with all the RT trims and Road/track trim options, which produces 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft. of torque, and mated with a 5-speed automatic gearbox.

Performance figures of the base engine are quite good. Its acceleration time from 0-60 mph was recorded as 6.6 seconds, while the quarter-mile time was recorded as 15.1 seconds. The car can achieve a top speed of 175 mph, which is the highest in the segment. However, you can expect even better performance with its more powerful V8 motor.

The Chevrolet Impala has the most powerful engine, while the Taurus is quite underpowered. But surprisingly, the Taurus is the fastest among all in terms of initial acceleration. The Charger and Chrysler 300 have identical engine options which perform quite well. The Charger has a top speed of 175 mph, while the others are nowhere close to it.

The 2012 Charger returns a good mpg figure for its 3.6L V6 motor, which delivers almost 19 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highways, which makes it pocket-friendly as well. However, it is better to expect only a superior performance with its V8 motor and not the fuel economy. This motor can deliver 16 mpg in the city and 25 on the highways. The car has a 19.5 gallons capacity tank which can easily manage its range over 300 miles in the city and over 500 miles on the highways.

The Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300 has better fuel economy than the Taurus and the Impala. The Impala is the most powerful car in the segment and manages its mpg figures quite well. The Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300 have equal capacity tanks which help them to give a class-leading driving range, while the Impala has the smallest tank and lesser driving range as well.

The 2012 Charger has got one of the finest and sportier interiors in the segment. The lower trim levels don’t appeal that premium with their fabric upholstery, but you find the cabin is absolutely plush and premium as you move on to the higher trim levels. Although the cabin layout is very simplistic, yet it looks sporty. The dashboard is covered in all-black soft-touch materials with an aluminum trim that covers the center area and the MID. It angled slightly towards the driver, which makes the cabin driver-centric and it is convenient as well. The minimal usage of buttons and knobs in the center area gives it a decent look.

The seating arrangement is equally luxurious as some luxurious sedans. The higher trims are equipped with red leather upholstery, and the seats come with power adjustments along with heating and ventilation functions. Even the rear seats got a heating function, which you find missing in many cars in the segment. Otherwise, it offers ample room at the front, while at the rear you really have to compromise with the headroom.

The Impala has a spacious cabin among all, especially at the front. While at the rear, all have decent headroom and legroom, but not much suited for tall people. The Ford Taurus has the largest boot space on offer, while the Charger and the Chrysler 300 have a decent-sized trunk. Standout interior features in the 2012 Dodge Charger include:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated seats both at the front and the rear
• Heated steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control AC
• Heated and cooled front console cup holder

How intuitive is the 2012 Dodge Charger’s infotainment unit?

The base trim SE on the 2012 Charger features a basic 4.3-inch Uconnect infotainment panel, which is not really an intuitive unit. It is paired with a 6-speaker audio system and has all the basic features like AM/FM, CD MP3 player, AUX, and USB inputs. 

The SXT and the higher trims feature an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen panel, which has some more features than the basic unit. All the infotainment panels are very intuitive and easy to use and navigate. The touch response is very fluidic and you get really sharp graphics. Standout infotainment features in the 2012 Dodge Charger include:

• 8.4-inch U connect touchscreen panel
• Garmin navigation system
• Sirius XM radio
• Sirius XM travel link
• 552-watt 10-speaker audio system
• U connect hands-free communication

The 2012 Charger is one of the most aggressive-looking cars in the segment. Although the design elements of the car are quite simplistic, yet it gives an appealing and sporty stance. The front fascia features Dodge’s blacked-out signature grille with the massive ‘Plus’ emblem on it. The HID headlamps with a sort of boxy design and the DRLs give it an aggressive stance.

From the side profile, the car looks quite low to the ground. The roofline is quite low, especially at the rear which creates a cramped headroom. The rear profile gives a perfect sporty stance. The LED tail lamps are a whole single unit that runs throughout the ends, and the dual exhaust tips with some diffusers look inspired by a performance car.

The Taurus is the heaviest among all while the Impala is the lightest, despite that, both deliver almost the same fuel economy. The Taurus is the longest in competition, which provides a better boot space. The Charger and Chrysler 300 have quite low ground clearance, while the Impala has ample clearance. Standout exterior features in the 2012 Dodge Charger include:

• 20-inch alloys
• Rear spoiler
• Blacked out grille
• Dual chrome exhaust tips
• Automatic headlamps

The 2012 Charger is not only a performance sedan with a sporty look, but it also ensures the total safety of the occupants. The car scored 5 on 5 stars on the NHTSA tests for its overall safety aspect, while the IIHS awarded it the crown of ‘Top Safety Pick’. The car along with the robust construction is equipped with some advanced active and passive safety features. Standout safety features in the 2012 Dodge Charger include:

• Brake assist
• Hydraulic assist brake booster
• Ready alert braking
• Rain brake support
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blindspot assist
• Forward collision assist

The Dodge Charger is one of the aggressive and performance-loaded cars in the segment. Both the engine options on offer deliver excellent power, especially its V8 motor which is offered with higher trim levels. The cabin of the car is made with some finest material available, which looks absolutely premium and yet gives a sporty stance from the inside. The rear seating might be a problem for tall passengers. The Charger ensures the total safety of the occupants with some class-leading active safety features. Overall, it is one of the best options to consider in the segment.