2012 Dodge Charger - Drive Time Review with Steve Hammes | TestDriveNow

[@campanelli8]

CLASSIC Muscle car love that evil looking front! !!

[@TandemDawgBMG]

I don't get why critics are getting so upset over the shifter, it's made to be given a quick tap, not a grab and push/pull, it's supposed to simplify the process. I drove one of these and I had absolutely had no problems with the change between park, reverse, drive, neutral, back to drive, reverse, and then park. Plus, you get paddle shifters and a 2-mode sport setting when you get one of the two sport packages w/ 8-speed transmission.

[@LtDan1796]

I love my charger its the most beautiful and fun to drive car I've ever owned. Only problem I've ever had is the alternator issue they have recalled now. If you have this vehicle make sure you take care of the alternator issue as soon as possible it could leave you on the side of the road if not taken care of.

[@SuperWatson63]

Lt Dan no worries either 70000 on my 13 se alternator,oil cooler. repaired under warranty no other problems.

[@76carmel]

There's my dream car with the AWD option. And at around $39k fully loaded, really nice.

[@snowysnowcones]

Great review Steve! The interior looks really nice, good to see Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep kicking it up a notch.

[@76carmel]

@MaliciousSRT You're right, the shifters looks like its from the Audi A8. I'm not exactly sure how to "shift" this, similar to most conventional shifters or similar to BMWs.

[@deathfromabove555]

good choice!

[@Stepside]

1:12 Whoa, chill out there Steve :)

[@MrSlink99]

THX for your answer my friend. !

[@Cali_Lux_Cruiser]

I am very impressed with the improvements Ford, GM, and Chrysler have made. It's about time our domestic vehicles stepped up their game. The only Japanese companies that I find that are still doing a great job, are Nissan and Honda. Toyota has really messed on their designs. I love the new 7th gen Maxima's, but I'm not too fired up about the CVT. I really think they need to take the Maxima back to it's roots, and make it a RWD. Torque-steer in the Maxima is overwhelming.

[@timarc124]

Great review and what a beautiful car !

[@hejmuesli]

"...weighing in at over 4,150 lbs *despite* its aluminum hood" - would a hood really make that much of a difference?

[@oleg1973durov]

Автомобиль - мечта! A car is a dream!

[@mmughal77]

dude the location is beautiful , where do u live?

[@gmman010983]

I like the back tail lights and car for that matter MUCH MUCH better than the old gen!!! Good review

[@76carmel]

@DualofChaos What Steve tested was based on the MSRP; we often don't pay the MSRP on a car.

[@camaroman101]

@mercracer24 any car in its highest trim level loaded with options seems pricey for the car

[@76carmel]

This model that was tested didn't have paddle-shifters, but does have it in other models; including SXT. When will the Grand Cherokee SRT8 test coming?

[@MaliciousSRT]

@FXSwissTrader Shifter works the same but it doesnt have anything to do with Mercedes. It might however be the same as the shifter in the Audi A8 or BMW 7-series that use the same transmission though. Shifter looks the exact same in pictures

[@stevehammes]

Welcome to New York.

[@vwmatt33]

$39K!! OUCH!! I seriously consider a Charger RWD with a sport package but like you said the shifter was poorly executed. I waited and wait for this 8 spped tranny and was left with a blah feeling. The VW CC was a much better choice in the $30K range. Im a happy camper. Would be even happier, Steve, if you would review a CC. Maybe the Refreshed 2013??

[@mercracer24]

It's nice to see Dodge producing such a great large car, but $39k is really steep for a V6.

[@Insanity_Crow]

Once Dodge/Chrysler builds up a better reputation for reliability I'll consider visiting a dealership. That said this is a very nice looking car inside and out and stacks up nice on paper.

[@jumpman366]

this is the only exception.... Im taking this over the Mazda 6 and Nissan Maxima.. I really like all 3

[@JoshJW11]

Steve you do great videos!

[@chris850t]

Nice videos! I just subscribed. What was the 0-60 for the V6?

[@TheFruitvale]

love the LEDs!!!

[@thecarexpert21]

Wow! I'm speechless.

[@UrFavDudeOnUtube]

@hajimekishi SRT8 signatures are the 5speed auto/6manual and the RWD, however Jeep SRT8 4WD is an exception to Jeep signatures

[@cm18cam]

The interior looks great and the exterior is not to bad either. However, I am already hearing of the new Grand Cherokee"s reliablitiy issues and tat would keep me from recommending it.

[@thugangel662]

Hey Steve i always wondered if it rained does that hood retain any water?? it looks like it has two deep areas i don't know what they're called but they look like they can hold water.

[@MaliciousSRT]

@LioneLMoon I would. 290 HP is too much for the Maximas front wheel drive. I had an older Maxima with 255 HP and it was too much...nail the gas and hang onto that steering wheel, it would try to dart a 1/4 turn. Not fun...plus the transmission in the Charger is far..FAR superior to the CVT in the Maxima. The Maxima is very bad on fuel for a V6...there are V8's that do better

[@contractki11er]

yes it is a 4WD or AWD

[@tcbecht88]

As always Steve, *golf clap.

[@Cali_Lux_Cruiser]

Well, that may be, but FORD and GM have not been taken over by ANY european company. Their improvements have shown that they are much more reliable now. Again each to their own.... we've owned American cars, and have had great experiences with them. People are just ignorant and don't realize that there is a thing called maintenance.

[@spiceytaco95]

anyone mind telling me how much roughly a charger 2012 sxt out the door would be?

[@nameer2love]

A 2 door charger is out of the question because it's existence would canniblize the sales of the dodge challenger

[@campanelli8]

BEAST!

[@Jeredin13]

Looks like a very solid car. American cars are stepping up it! ^_~

[@76carmel]

@jvrdlc It doesn't. If you compare this Charger in its class -- it would be Toyota Avalon, Ford Taurus (has AWD option), Buick LaCrosse (another AWD option), Nissan Maxima, and perhaps Hyundai Genesis sedan. It's a much larger car. If you compared a Dodge car with that group, it would be the Avenger.

[@76carmel]

@TopGear759 The shifter is more BMW-esque.

[@Cali_Lux_Cruiser]

@cm18cam Don't know where you're getting your info from, but people are just raving about the new Grand Cherokees. Every new first model year has some issues.

[@DJR5280]

no 0 to 60 time ?

[@juancarlosledesma4080]

Need's a spoiler

[@createbad]

can you do the new Chrysler 300 or 300c

[@rob11s]

I would take a powerful diesel engine over a petrol one anyday!

[@TopGear759]

Why did they copy the Audi shifter?

[@northstar15]

I'll still take the SRT8

[@malhazmi47]

2.08 like

[@InevitableBlue]

I like it.

[@yummy1234098]

ya, the silver, not a good color on the car

[@ProdigyKenpachi]

Then buy a viper

[@jjlwis]

can't due to the AWD.

[@sashko091082]

Come on, it may have an american engine (sort of) and styling but this car was engineered in Italy, by Fiat/Lancia. It also has a GERMAN 8-spedd 'box. So your point is largely mute, lets be honest since Fiat took over Chrysler products have been completely overhauled and awful models dropped. Even before under Mercedes, the charger was the better for having w201 underpinnings rather tha cont US crap.

[@MrSlink99]

I got no reasons to say Euro cars sucks!

[@MrSlink99]

Excuse me, my english sucks, and I wanna ask ya users, is that ta 4WD?

[@bamac2008]

WTF is going on with that shifter!??

[@Operator_Fate]

Lower the car a lil bit, dodge

[@Americanmuscle1968]

People are just stupid as hell! They are not cheap! Sure, the materials may be hard to the touch but that stuff is very durable and can last a really long time. Even if they are copying European body styles it actually makes American cars look better. People need to start giving American cars a chance!

[@DualofChaos]

Nice car, but I saw a V8 Dodge Charger for $36,000 here in Utah with AWD and basically the same equipment. I assume if was heavily discounted because that is one killer deal.

[@ccolivardia]

not to mention that there are some euro cars owned by american car companies

[@Cali_Lux_Cruiser]

@volkswagenaustin03 People are always criticizing American cars..... "They're too cheap, if not that....then they're copying Euro vehicles." People can't accept the fact that they're stepping up their game.

[@JayFresh98]

Made in canada

[@sashko091082]

btw- thanks steve for another great test- we watch you in Europe too. I'm seriously considering importing a Charger AWD SXT- it's now economical enough for us here in rip-off land

[@campanelli8]

American muscle baby!!!!

[@MaliciousSRT]

@SweetHubby82 I wouldn't think of the 06-10 Charger SRT8's as "crap". FAR from it...those are actually still very much a niche product. In the fact that they are in a sense the last true raucous American Muscle Cars...all go, no BS. The new SRT8's are straight up value oriented versions of brand new M5's and E63 AMG's. Muscle cars with every option and luxury.

[@mikerules666]

Steve mentions in the video that if you're in a hurry, the shifter might become confusing to operate. My suggestion is to take time on your days off and go out and learn it. Most people operate complicated computer systems all day. I'm sure this will be a breeze to learn. I love the new transmission and shifter. Dodge,Chrysler and Jeep are my new favorite car brands.

[@ESINNISEESIN]

I saw something about a 9-speed ZF with Chrysler .. The new 2013 Ram 1500 has a 8-speed ZF .. so I think that for the SRT-8 vehicles an 8-9 speed ZF will be able for the next gen :) But I hope they'll also offer manual transmissions !! ;)

[@cm18cam]

@VIRAJ818 Everyone IS loving the new Grand cherokee. Its interior, styling, and off road performance, but the problem comes in reliability. Many owner forums have people complaining about its electrical system being fried when the remote start is activated.

[@Slimecrazy234]

It's a shame a muscle car like the charger doesn't have more pronounced wheel arches. Aside from the front end it still looks too cheap to me.

[@jvrdlc]

i tho this car competes with the Accord, Altima, Camry, Sonata and so on.. but 39K ? just bc the AWD? no wayyy

[@Trekologist]

@TopGear759 It's not an Audi shifter, it's the standard ZF shifter in the 8HP transmissions.

[@Americanmuscle1968]

The price isn't so far apart with the R/T. It is about 26 to 27 grand.

[@reevsaj]

The creases in the doors just don't seem to go far enough forward.

[@emlee0203]

At sea level it's about 7 seconds (realistically).

[@DodgeMan360]

@vwmatt33 Im Sorry but the CC is hideous.

[@deathfromabove555]

Charger for sure I ran into the same problem also, but i decided on a charger because of the styling and its also more practical with the size. I am happy with my decision and i also test drove the avenger which wasn't as smooth as the charger.

[@TheKidNamedRoland]

@Futuregohan14 yo im from albany!

[@Americanmuscle1968]

The R/T is about 31.

[@TheDivino21]

Good job Chrysler

[@nismofury]

They need to work on that rear end. They need to make a 2 door

[@TheCrimsonLantern]

Nice review Steve. I ask always enjoy your reviews. Keep it up

[@ceancrazy123]

Buy a challenger or viper....

[@Borgesdimosqueiro]

MUITO LOCO