Dodge Charger

Don’t let the familiar menacing façade fool you into dismissing the 2011 Charger, which, like many Chrysler products, has been high on style and short on quality.

The five-speed automatic is the only major carryover. Everything else – increased visibility, BMW-like steering and handling, and a truly expensive-feeling interior and ride – is shocking for an automaker that was just struggling to survive. The $25,000 starting price is plenty reasonable for a sport sedan that’s moved up to such a high caliber (unlike the actual Dodge Caliber). All the advertising dollars in the world couldn’t have swayed us to that conclusion until now. It’s that good. – CA