The Dodge Charger adds a trio of trim levels for 2012: the midlevel SXT, the high-performance SRT8 and a less-luxurious version of the latter known as the SRT8 Superbee. An eight-speed automatic is also now available with the standard V6.

It's rare to find a car that looks mean, sounds meaner and accelerates with the exuberance of a muscle car, yet can still comfortably schlep kids to school or pick up grandparents from the airport. Plenty of expensive European luxury sport sedans satisfy most of the criteria, save for the "look mean" bit. The 2012 Dodge Charger, meanwhile, satisfies all of the above.