Chrysler's renaissance under the leadership of Italy's Fiat continues to amaze me, as all the new models introduced since the takeover have been right on target - and that has been verified by the company's stellar sales growth in the past two years.
One of my favorites among the vehicles restyled under the new Chrysler regime is the Dodge Charger, the modern sedan that carries the name of the iconic two-door muscle car of the 1960s and '70s.
My test vehicle was the 2012 Charger SXT rear-wheel drive, with a base price of $28,595. Mine came with the very cool SXT Blacktop appearance package, which brought, among other things, a glossy black honeycomb grille and 20-inch gloss-black aluminum wheels.
Even the base Charger SE, which begins at $26,595, is well-equipped, and is definitely no stripped-down bargain model. It definitely is a bargain at that price, though - it looks, rides and drives like a luxury vehicle that costs thousands of dollars more.
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Standard on the SE and SXT models is a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with 292 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque. It's the same engine Chrysler uses in the Charger police models.
For 2012, the eight-speed automatic is standard on all V-6 Chargers, while a five-speed automatic continues as the only transmission available on V-8 models.
With the V-6, the Charger's EPA ratings are a very impressive 19 mpg city/31 highway - the best in the full-size sedan class for 2012.
Other amenities on the SE include 17-inch aluminum wheels, LED taillights, dual exhaust, cap-less fuel filler, active front head restraints, an acoustic windshield and front side glass, a 4.3-inch touch-screen media center, keyless entry with pushbutton start, a power driver's seat and more.
As a concession to its past, the new Charger has the fastback coupe look of the 1960s-'70s models.
Among the most-remarkable features is just how quiet the cabin is at highway speeds - it's better than most expensive luxury cars.
AT A GLANCE
2012 DODGE CHARGER:
• The package: Four-door, five-passenger, front- or all-wheel-drive, V-6 or V-8 powered full-size sedan.
• Advantages: Last redesigned for 2011, the Charger is a sporty and stylish big sedan that seems a lot more expensive than it is. It has a powerful base V-6 engine that offers great performance and decent fuel economy, and the cabin is quieter at highway speeds than even many high-end luxury cars.
• Negatives: A four-cylinder engine option could help sell more of these cars, especially as fuel prices continue to bounce around.
• Reviewer's rating: 9.2 of 10.
• Base price, base model: $26,595.
• Base price, test model: $28,595.
• Price as tested: $31,385
All prices exclude destination charges.