SANTA MONICA, Calif. -

Edmunds.com announced Monday that it has chosen the winner of its annual Breakthrough Technology Award, which the company awards 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."

The winner of the 2012 award is the Dodge Charger. Edmunds.com staff noted that this vehicle was chosen for it “cutting-edge —  but intuitive — UConnect Touch infotainment user interface, its reliable Bluetooth hands-free and voice-recognition features and its innovative active safety technology.”

Last year’s Breakthrough Technology Award winner was the Audi A8.

And Edmunds.com issued the inaugural award in 2010 to the Ford Taurus.

Commenting on the news, senior technology editor at Edmunds.com Doug Newcomb noted, “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.

“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,” he added.

Delving more into what high-tech features the unit has to offer, the UConnent Touch system touts a 8.4-inch in-dash screen, which combined with a logical control layout “makes infotainment  — as well as climate and vehicle functions —  easy to operate and access while driving,” officials contend.

Furthermore, Edmunds.com cited the Charger’s UConnect Bluetooth hands-free phone system as one of the easiest to use.

Staff also went on to note the the vehicle’s voice-recognition technology that controls some of the infotainment, navigation and climate systems is highly accurate.

The vehicle also lends itself well to music lovers.

The Charger included a USB port for easy connection of an external music player, as well as Bluetooth wireless music streaming.

Furthermore,  the UConnect Touch 8.4N system includes an SD card slot for access to additional digital music files.

Lastly, the Edmunds.com staff touched on the vehicle’s safety technology.

The Charger features 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,” officials continued.

But that’s not all, for those looking to own the safest Charger possible, additional features can be installed.

“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,” the company explained. 

Autonet Mobile in-car Wi-Fi can also be added as a dealer-installed option.