2020 Dodge Charger vs 2019 Hyundai Elantra

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant redesign, featuring new styling elements forward of the windshield and front doors, along with redesigned wheels, a new trunk lid, taillights, and rear bumper. This kaleidoscopic design was a departure from its previous conservative look, which had been inspired by the Genesis G80 sedan. While the exterior changes were not universally praised, the interior saw subtle improvements that enhanced its appeal. The air vents received a design update, some plastic components gained a carbon-texture finish, and the gauges and dashboard controls were revised. These changes added a touch of excitement to the cabin, which was otherwise high-quality, with tightly assembled parts and a robust shifter.

In contrast, the 2020 Dodge Charger maintained its muscle car silhouette, a design language that had been evolving since the Charger name was resurrected in 2006. The 2015 facelift introduced a thin inlet grille and more aggressive headlights, aligning with Dodge's identity as a modern American performance brand. The Charger's cabin blended retro themes with modern technology, featuring large vintage-looking bezels housing digital displays. The rear-wheel-drive platform necessitated a raised transmission tunnel, creating a cockpit-like feel for the driver and front passenger. The Charger's design emphasized performance and space, offering a spacious interior and a large trunk, making it a practical choice for those seeking both power and utility.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra, particularly in its Ultimate trim, was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. While the Elantra's acceleration was deemed acceptable, its driving dynamics did not inspire much excitement. The car offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Sport mode adding some liveliness at the cost of heavier steering. Fuel efficiency was a strong point, with a combined rating of 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres, although real-world testing showed slightly better results. The Elantra's handling was decent, but the ride quality was affected by its torsion-beam rear-axle suspension.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine in the SXT and GT trims, producing 292 to 300 horsepower. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower, while the Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 generating 485 horsepower. The range-topping SRT Hellcat Widebody came with a supercharged 6.2-litre V8, delivering a staggering 707 horsepower. The Charger excelled in performance, with its various trims offering different levels of power and driving excitement. The widebody models featured Bilstein adaptive suspension, enhancing cornering precision, while Brembo brakes provided excellent stopping power. The Charger also offered extensive customization through its Performance Pages, allowing drivers to tailor their driving experience.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra provided good front-seat comfort for a compact car, with height-adjustable seats for both the driver and front passenger. Heated seats were standard in all Canadian models, and higher trims offered a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel. However, rear-seat comfort was less impressive, with hard plastic front seatbacks and a lack of air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a centre-console storage bin, a sizable glove box, and door panel bins. The Elantra's trunk offered 408 litres of cargo space, and most trims included a hands-free trunk release feature.

The 2020 Dodge Charger stood out for its spacious interior, offering ample legroom for rear passengers, even with the front seats slid back. The front bucket seats were well-bolstered, providing excellent head- and legroom. The Charger featured convenient storage solutions, including door trays, cup holders, and a large centre console. Its trunk, with a capacity of 467 litres, was larger than many performance sedans and above average for large family sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench added versatility for additional storage needs.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with a rear-view camera and Bluetooth connectivity as standard features. Most trims included a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded infotainment system with an 8-inch display, an Infinity premium sound system, and on-board navigation. The system was user-friendly, with a good balance of knobs and buttons for easy operation. The Elantra also provided a five-year trial subscription to Hyundai Bluelink services, offering a range of safety and convenience functions.

In the 2020 Dodge Charger, all trims featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system. This system was praised for its simplicity and intuitive layout, with a lower dock of icons for easy navigation. It supported Bluetooth, USB connectivity, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Uconnect system allowed seamless switching between the native infotainment and mobile device systems. The Charger's digital display screen in the instrument panel provided easy access to various functions, including trip information, vehicle settings, and navigation directions.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of driver-assistance and safety features, with most versions including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and a Safe Exit system. The Elantra received top marks from the IIHS, except for an Acceptable rating for LATCH child-seat anchors. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with four-star frontal and side-impact protection ratings.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came with standard safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. It also offered forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and rain-sensing wipers. The Charger's crash prevention technology earned the highest score of Superior from the IIHS.