2013 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 AWD: Motoramic Drives

A full one-fourth of Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans roll off the dealer's lot with an all-wheel-drive system, allowing customers in colder climes to enjoy powerful American muscle year-round. But would the extra fuss and weight of a spare driveline neuter America's most popular large, rear-wheel-drive sedans? Chrysler invited me to northern Michigan, where there's still enough snow on the ground, to find out.

For the 2013 Charger, the new AWD Sport package is offered on the SXT and SXT Plus models (for $1,395), as well as the R/T and R/T Plus (for $1,195). Ticking the box allows you a unique black grille, 19-inch polished aluminum wheels – which look distinctly bland – and, for the first time in Charger AWD history, paddle shifters with a sport mode for the transmission.

On top of this, what initially appeared to be a joke aimed at millennials, is the inclusion of the Beats By Dre audio system. Not being one for baggy pants, drum popping bass, and preposterous oversized headphones, I developed concerns of alienation for myself and others. As it happens, those concerns were unfounded, as it’s one of the best audio systems I’ve heard, and my opinion turned a 180 quicker than Snoop Dogg Lion passing a Cheetos factory outlet. Usually costing $995, coming standard on the AWD Sport package makes it bread well spent.

Things follow suit with the Chrysler 300 Glacier, including glossy black accents and chrome emphases, and a spirited use of Piano Black interior colorings, carbon-fiber trimmings and, like the Charger, the paddle shifters with sport mode. Suggested retail comes in at $36,845 (excluding $995 destination).

Both the Charger AWD Sport and 300 Glacier adopt a new cold-air induction system and sport-tuned exhaust, making the 3.6-liter V-6 models pump out 300 hp. And it would only be right for both machines to be available with the brutish 370-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, as well.