(January 15, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The Dodge Charger has won the 2012 Breakthrough Technology Award. Edmunds.com issues the award each year to a vehicle that sets the standard for intuitive, practical and affordable automotive technology that enhances safety and convenience for drivers and passengers.

All new cars and trucks available for sale in the U.S. within the last 12 months are eligible.

The Dodge Charger won for its cutting-edge — but intuitive — UConnect Touch infotainment user interface, its reliable Bluetooth hands-free and voice-recognition features, and its innovative active safety technology, according to Edmunds.

"The Dodge Charger embodies some of the most modern technology available in a car today, and it's available in a vehicle that's within the budget of average consumers," said Doug Newcomb, Senior Technology Editor at Edmunds.com. "Much of the technology, for example, is standard on the 2011 Dodge Charger Rallye, which has a base price of $27,625. And since the Charger is a sensible sedan that masquerades as a modern day muscle car, the total package is that much more attractive."

The generous size of the UConnect Touch system's 8.4-inch in-dash screen combines with a logical control layout to make infotainment — as well as climate and vehicle functions — easy to operate and access while driving.

The Charger's UConnect Bluetooth hands-free phone system is one of the easiest to use, and the voice-recognition technology that controls some of the infotainment, navigation and climate systems is highly accurate. The Charger also includes a USB port for easy connection of an external music player as well as Bluetooth wireless music streaming, and the UConnect Touch 8.4N system includes an SD card slot for access to additional digital music files.

The Charger also features top safety technology such as blind-spot and rear cross-path detection. SmartBeam auto-adjusting HID headlamps, an 8-speed transmission and 164-LED taillights are all additional features that are not typically found on other vehicles in the Charger's class.

For those who want to add more bells and whistles, the Charger's $650 Navigation/Rear Back Up Camera Group option comes with a one-year trial subscription to Sirius Traffic and Travel Link services, as well as Sirius satellite radio. Autonet Mobile in-car Wi-Fi can also be added as a dealer-installed option.

Last year's Breakthrough Technology Award winner was the Audi A8. Edmunds.com issued the inaugural award in 2010 to the Ford Taurus.