Dodge Challenger Grabs "Most Satisfying Car" Crown: Consumer Reports

YONKERS, New York — The Dodge Challenger was named the "most satisfying car" by readers of Consumers Reports, beating out the Toyota Prius — a longtime favorite.

The consumer watchdog reported that 92 percent of Challenger owners said they would "definitely buy another one given the same opportunity." But the win was tempered by some bad news for Chrysler: The Chrysler Sebring was the lowest-scoring car in the report, which is based on 380,000 responses from subscribers.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid was named the second most satisfying car. Other high-scoring vehicles included the Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911, the Prius and the Acura TL, said Consumers Reports in a statement.

Other poor performers included the Dodge Nitro and Pontiac Torrent FWD.

To be named to this satisfaction list, at least 80 percent of a model's owners must answer "definitely yes" to the question: "Considering all factors [price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.] would you get this car if you had to do it all over again?"

Consumers Reports pointed out that "only 10 models received the lowest satisfaction rating, indicating that less than half their owners would definitely buy the same car again. All were older designs from Detroit-based automakers."

Inside Line says: Well-earned kudos for the Dodge Challenger, but a stern warning for Detroit automakers to clean up their act. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent