2009 Dodge Charger

Whatever deserves to be said about the Dodge Magnum -- bold, original, a chance Dodge was right to take -- it was also a major fumble (apparently, nothing can make a station wagon cool). Luckily, Dodge quickly followed up by stuffing the Magnum's mechanicals into a more presentable four-door body, deeming the end product the Charger. Sales instantly quadrupled, and this one's here to stay.

Regardless of the name or body style, this is one of the most interesting big cars out there. It comes with either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, just as enthusiasts prefer, and much of its engineering hails from Mercedes. Dodge offers no less than four engines -- a 2.7-liter V6, a 3.5-liter V6, a 5.7-liter V8, and a 6.1-liter V8 -- the choice of which is central to shaping the Charger's personality. The 3.5-liter V6 strikes a good balance between power and fuel economy, while the V8s give the Charger the sound and fury of a classic American muscle car. How does 0-to-60 in 4.7 seconds sound?

In other respects, the Charger is a pleasant, if unexceptional, car. It rides fairly well and handles just fine. The interior has adult-sized room, even if total space remains below average for a car so large, and the sloping roofline and windows might cause claustrophobia for back seat riders. The cabin is also filled with rather cheap, hard materials (though a refresh in 2008 supposedly addressed this).

Basically, the Charger is what to buy if you want a big sedan full of power, attitude, and style, and don't mind giving up a little room and refinement.