2021 BMW 4 Series vs 2020 Dodge Challenger

The 2020 Dodge Challenger was a modern homage to its 1970s predecessor, maintaining a muscular silhouette with design updates over the years. Its recessed headlights and grille gave it a menacing look, hinting at the performance potential beneath. Inside, the Challenger featured a driver-focused cockpit with a blend of modern and vintage elements, including a semi-digital instrument panel and a modern infotainment screen. Despite its retro charm, some found the design a bit dated. The Challenger offered nine models, each with unique features, from the SXT with 18-inch wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen to the high-performance SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody with a dual-intake hood scoop.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 4 Series coupe was notable for its massive twin-kidney grille, which was polarizing in terms of aesthetics but functional for engine cooling. The rest of the car adhered to BMW's standard styling, with aerodynamic features like Air Curtain intakes contributing to a low drag coefficient. The 4 Series shared its platform with the 3 Series sedan, offering a slightly longer, wider, and lower profile. Inside, the 4 Series boasted a clean and uncluttered design, with standard front sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. However, the steering wheel's size was criticized for being too large for a sporty coupe.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 in the SXT and GT trims, producing 305 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8, delivering 475 hp with a manual transmission or 372 hp with an automatic. The Scat Pack 392 upgraded to a 6.4-litre Hemi V8, offering 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, along with performance features like Brembo brakes and launch control. The SRT Hellcat boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 717 hp, while the Hellcat Redeye pushed it to 797 hp. The Challenger's performance was customizable through SRT Performance Pages, allowing drivers to tweak output, suspension, and power delivery.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series offered two powertrains: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 430i, producing 255 hp and 294 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six in the M440i, delivering 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The M440i also featured a 48-volt mild hybrid system for improved fuel efficiency. The 430i could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, while the M440i xDrive achieved it in 4.5 seconds. Despite its quick acceleration, the 4 Series' driving experience was hampered by a hesitant transmission and vague steering, making it less engaging than expected.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger stood out among American sports coupes for its spacious cabin, offering ample legroom and decent headroom. The rear seats provided impressive legroom, although the retro styling and large rear pillars limited visibility. The Challenger boasted 459 litres of cargo space, surpassing competitors like the Camaro and Mustang. The traditional RWD setup resulted in a large centre console, while the AWD version had a hump in the front passenger footwell due to additional drivetrain components.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series offered more front headroom and trunk space than its competitors, although it lagged in legroom. The rear seats were suitable for children or occasional adult use. The 4 Series' cockpit was well-designed, with an integrated infotainment touchscreen and practical storage solutions. Visibility was excellent, thanks to low side glass, providing a more open feel compared to other modern cars.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the intuitive Uconnect interface, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The available Uconnect 8.4 system provided a larger screen and Garmin-based navigation. Higher trims included an Alpine premium stereo system, with an optional Harman Kardon system available. The Challenger's digital display in the instrument panel was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and steering wheel controls.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series came with the iDrive 7 infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a 5.1-inch display screen. The optional Live Cockpit Professional setup offered a 10.25-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster. The iDrive rotary controller provided a tactile interface, complemented by voice control and touchscreen options. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with available upgrades like a head-up display and wireless phone charging.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger included standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a child-seat anchoring system. Optional features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Challenger received four out of five stars in NHTSA front driver’s side crash testing and five stars for front passenger side testing. It earned a "Good" score in many IIHS crash tests but received a "Marginal" overall score.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was available through the Advanced Driver Assistance Package, offering a sophisticated system with steering assist.