Whether it is viewed as a large family sedan or a street-legal hot rod, the Dodge Charger can be much more than you first envision.

That’s a large part of the appeal. There are plenty of bigger sedans that have the space to carry a full complement of five passengers, but not that many come with an engine that is nearly 300 horsepower. And there are high-horsepowered cars out there that would be just as at home on a race track as a highway, but not that many that can handle the luggage for an accompanying pit crew.

The Dodge Charger, with a notable addition of a high-performance SRT8 for 2012, has it all.

For those thinking this is all-American muscle, you’re partly correct. There is certainly muscle in the SRT8, and while the creativity may come from Detroit, all Chargers are actually manufactured in Canada.

I recently drove two very different Chargers. The SXT Plus, with its near-base price of $28,595 (the entry-level SE starts at $25,595) comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that might provide all the pulse-raising you need with 292 horsepower.

The SRT8 is the high-end trim at $45,925 that comes with a 6.4-liter V8 HEMI and its pulsating 470 horsepower. Both were with the traditional Charger rear-wheel drive, although all-wheel drive is also offered on the RT and SXT trims that are priced somewhere between our testers.

There is also a third-engine, a 5.7-liter V8 with 370 horsepower.

I started out in the SXT Plus, which surprised me with its road manners and its plush optional Nappa leather seats (just typing Nappa makes it seem better). Seriously, for around-town driving, this version of the Charger seemed like an Impala.

Among the standard items were an 8-speed automatic transmission, hill-start assist and universal garage door opener. The V6 engine seemed more than suitable for all occasions.

Until, that is ...

The SRT8 arrived. Now Dodge gets your attention. The 470 horsepower engine is robust, can go 0-60 mph in less than five seconds and reportedly can reach 175 mph. Not that I was so brazen. Let’s just say that this baby is quick and plenty fun.

The bulky price tag is filled with more than an engine. There is a navigation system, leather and suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated back seats, upgraded sound system, performance adaptive suspension, rear spoiler (needed for a visual presentation of this being more than an ordinary sedan) and 20-inch tires.

The SRT8 hearkens back to more macho days. Other members of the Dodge Charger lineup allow for everyone in the family to go along for the ride.

David Mikesell is a free-lance automotive reviewer based in Indianapolis. Read this review and others like it at DaytonDailyNews.com/Wheels.