The Dodge Charger is the answer to a tricky question about duality: can a somewhat-disguised family-appearing auto that provides basic transportation also be a muscle car? At the same time? Maybe. For the 2013 model, the Charger hasn't changed much, but there are more features and a little more flair in some special editions. The Charger has helped bring a new kind of buyer with its split personality. You can essentially go two ways with the car. Keep the bottom-line price down and get a V-6 model  --  it's economical and adequate  --  or go with one of the faster V-8 models. The V-6 does ok but the Charger SRT is definitely a performance car at a much lower than anticipated price. New for 2013, the Charger gets the Beats by Dr. Dre audio treatment  --  with a powerful 12-channel amp and proprietary equalization  --  on R/T Max. That comes with several of the major options packages, and in all AWD models. Also, Rallye Appearance and Blacktop Package V-6 models now get a boost to 300 hp with a cold-air intake and performance exhaust.

2013 Dodge Charger Design

Inside, there's a lot of choice in the 12-way power-adjustable front seats. They are also both heated and ventilated. The front passenger space is spacious. Both front buckets are pleasantly bolstered and boast suede inserts. The steering wheel is huge. It features a design unique to the SRT family of vehicles. Equally appealing is the view over the hood. The rear seats, while plenty cushy for passengers, seem to step upward like stadium seating, placing the headrests in front of the traffic. The sharply angled rear glass, while cool from the outside, further cuts down on the ability to see what's going on near the Charger's tail. The interiors are best described as comforting. One feature, however, literally shines brightly above the rest. Sitting in the center square position is a brand-new 8.4-inch touchscreen display. It's home to a handful of artfully displayed audio, climate, navigation, phone and driving options. Dodge has also partnered up with Harman Kardon, and their sound engineers have created an audio system that is beyond state-of-the art. Why? Simply because it has 900 watts, 19 speakers and a 12-channel amplifier. The speakers are tuned for maximum efficiency with minimum energy consumption. Working together, the seven 3.5-inch mid-range, seven integrated tweeters, four 6x9-inch subwoofers and one 10-inch subwoofer produce a very balanced, but also crisp sound that fills the interior. Speed and style have not given way to safety, however. The Charger has earned a five-star overall score in federal testing, and it's been an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick.

Powering the 2013 Dodge Charger

The base model comes with a five-speed automatic transmission. But reviewers rate the SXT model much better. So the choice is whether drivers are OK with the extra price for performance. Chrysler's new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, making 292 horsepower, is what powers base Charger models. Its advantages include a very smooth and responsive eight-speed ZF automatic. Paddle-shifters are included for better mileage. Those who choose the R/T and its 370-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 (and five-speed automatic) are getting a lot more torque. For even better performance, the SRT 8 offers tire-scorching times with its 6.4-liter HEMI V-8, with 475 horsepower and a five-speed automatic. How fast is it?  Good enough to go 0-60 mph in under five seconds. As great as the 392 cubic-inch engine can be, it still has to work with a partner, and if you want to compare it to a cop drama (the Charger is a frequent star on TV shows), the transmission plays the Bad Lieutenant. There's nothing inherently wrong with the five-speed automatic. The gearbox works just fine on its own, and it allows you the option to change gears as you see fit. But it's sluggish to shift, reviewers say. 

Conclusions

This is a car that can be driven as a sedate family wagon but don't forget it was also featured in the once-popular television program "The Dukes of Hazard." And it's still fast enough to get away from even the faster police cars (with the warning that lawbreakers even in fast cars are far more likely these days to get caught than in the old days. Attribute it to faster police cars, improved law enforcement technology and helicopters). Conservative or flamboyant, buyers of both stripes may charge ahead for this car.