1970 Dodge Challenger R/t 440-6 on 2040-cars

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Kia leads J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study for 2022

For the first year ever, Kia leads J.D. Power's annual Vehicle Dependability Study with a score of 145 problems per 100 vehicles. Buick (147) and Hyundai (148) round out the top three. The highest premium brand on the list is Genesis, with a score of 148. It's common for so-called "mass market" brands to lead this particular study, according to J.D. Power, as "premium" brands "typically incorporate more technology in their vehicles, which increases the likelihood for problems to occur" and aren't necessarily built to a higher standard that less-expensive brands. The highest-rated single nameplate is the Porsche 911. It's the third time out of the past four years and the second year in a row that Porsche's quintessential sports car has taken top honors. Porsche as a brand sits in seventh place (162) just behind Lexus (159) and ahead of Dodge (166). At the very bottom of the list is Land Rover with a dismal score of 284; the SUV specialist held the same unfortunate distinction on last year's list. Ram (266), Volvo (256), Alfa Romeo (245) and Acura (244) also performed poorly. The overall industry average score sits at 192 — mass market brands average a score of 190 while premium brands sit 14 points lower at 204. While Tesla is unofficially included in some of J.D. Power's results, the agency says the sample size it has access to for this study is too small to include. As has been the case for the past several years, infotainment systems dominate the list of problems reported by owners. Popular (or unpopular, depending on your point of view) complaints include built-in voice recognition (8.3 PP100), Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity (5.4 PP100), built-in Bluetooth system (4.5 PP100), not enough power plugs/USB ports (4.2 PP100), navigation systems difficult to understand/use (3.7 PP100), touchscreen/display screen (3.6 PP100), and navigation system inaccurate/outdated map (3.6 PP100). While problems with the car's infotainment and technology packages are indeed bothersome, it's important to remember that such issues aren't usually leaving owners stranded with an immovable vehicle like a broken transmission or blown engine would. Culling infotainment complaints from the results would reduce the average problem-per-100-vehicle score by a staggering 51.9 points. The vehicles included in this study are from the 2019 model year. That means owners have had three years to get to know their cars and trucks. It's the 33rd year that J.D.

Defiance Dodge Charger, saving Earth from aliens isn't clean work [w/video]

You'll be forgiven for not having heard about the TV show Defiance - it actually hasn't aired its first episode yet. The new science fiction show about an alien war against Earth in the near future seems like a perfect fit for the SyFy channel, and, apparently one that Dodge saw as a slick marketing opportunity for its Charger sedan.
Here in Chicago, Dodge has given a large corner of its show stand to the Defiance Charger, a car that won't be skipped by any Mad Max fans in attendance at this year's show. The Charger boasts one hell of a gnarly patina under a confusingly welded cage of tube steel, as well as window bars, a grille guard in front, and big, knobby truck tires. There aren't any obvious guns or turrets on the outside of the vehicle, so we can only hope that the characters driving it go well-armed.
Look for the Charger to make its star turn in Defiance when the series premieres on SyFy on April 15 at 9:00 PM EST. Also, there's said to be a Defiance video game in the works, too, so you may get a chance to steer the burly Dodge for yourself. Find a trailer for the show, below, as well.

2018 Dodge Durango Pursuit SUV is the tall arm of the law

Dodge is adding to its police car portfolio with the 2018 Durango Pursuit, a specially-prepped police version of the automaker's SUV. Available with an optional 360-horsepower Hemi engine, the Durango Pursuit comes with everything you'd expect in a truck built to protect and serve. We'll try to avoid too many Blues Brothers cop car references but, yes, this Dodge includes some serious "cop shocks" and that aforementioned "cop engine," among many other modifications. The Hemi engine produces 360 horsepower and 390 lb. ft. of torque, all of which is routed to an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time AWD system. According to Dodge, this is the most popular powertrain fitted to the existing Charger Pursuit police car. The brakes have been strengthened and are capable of bringing the Durango Pursuit from 60-0 mph in 134 feet. The Durango Pursuit also adds a two-speed transfer case, which should prove handy when bad guys try to escape by venturing off road. "Unofficial testing results at the Michigan State Police 2018 model-year vehicle evaluation event created such a stir among law enforcement agencies that we simply had to find a way to build this vehicle," said Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands, Dodge/SRT, FCA North America. Despite the apparent buzz around this police vehicle, Dodge has said the Durango Pursuit V-8 AWD will only be available "for a limited time." And as you've already guessed, you have to be in law enforcement to place an order for one — sorry to disappoint. Other notable features of the Durango Pursuit include 8.1 inches of ground clearance, a tow rating of 7,200 pounds, heavy-duty oil cooler and water pump, 220-amp alternator, a spare tire mounted beneath the rear of the truck to free interior space, a spotlight wiring prep package, along with trailer sway control. Dog lovers will be pleased that K-9 units have been taken into consideration, too. The Durango Pursuit is available with a tri-zone climate control package, to make certain badge-wearing four-legged constables remain comfortable while fighting crime. Related Video: Dodge SUV Police/Emergency police car