2021 Dodge Charger vs 2020 Dodge Charger

The 2020 Dodge Charger continued to embody the modern muscle car aesthetic that Dodge had been cultivating since the model's revival in 2006. With its aggressive headlights and distinctive grille, the Charger maintained a menacing presence on the road. The 2015 facelift introduced a sleeker front design, with a thin inlet replacing the large grille, and further enhanced the car's intimidating look with updated headlights. Inside, the Charger balanced retro charm with modern technology, featuring large bezels housing digital displays and a cockpit-like feel due to its raised transmission tunnel. The 2020 model offered a range of trims, from the SXT with its standard 17-inch wheels and tech features, to the high-performance SRT Hellcat with its powerful engine and widebody kit.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, while maintaining the same fundamental design that had been in place since 2011, offered a variety of trims and configurations, including the SXT, GT, R/T, Scat Pack, and the top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye. The widebody option, available on select models, added an extra 8.9 centimetres to the car's width, enhancing its athletic stance. Despite the model's age, the Charger remained popular, thanks in part to its "brotherhood of muscle" appeal. The interior, though updated over the years, still lacked some modern comforts and conveniences, with a fair amount of hard plastic and rubberized surfaces. Cloth seats were standard, with Nappa leather available on higher trims, and the car's fit and finish had improved over time.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains to suit different driving preferences. The SXT and GT trims were equipped with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 292 horsepower in the SXT RWD and 300 horsepower in the SXT AWD and GT. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8, producing 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, with an active exhaust system for an enhanced auditory experience. The Scat Pack trim boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8, generating 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, complemented by Brembo brakes and launch assist. The SRT Hellcat Widebody, with its supercharged 6.2-litre V8, delivered an impressive 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Charger provided a connected driving experience, with Performance Pages offering detailed performance data and customizable drive modes.

The 2021 Dodge Charger continued to shine in the performance department, offering a similar range of powertrains. The SXT, SXT AWD, GT, and GT AWD trims were powered by the same 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing up to 300 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque. The R/T trim retained the 5.7-litre HEMI V8, delivering 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds. The Scat Pack models featured the 6.4-litre HEMI V8, with 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat Redeye, the most powerful option, boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI high-output V8, producing 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. The Charger offered a smooth driving experience, with configurable drive modes and Performance Pages available on higher trims.

The 2020 Dodge Charger stood out among high-horsepower sedans for its spacious interior. The rear seats offered ample legroom, making it a practical choice for families. The front bucket seats were well-bolstered, providing comfort for the driver and front passenger, while the centre console and door trays offered convenient storage solutions. The Charger's trunk was notably large, with a capacity of 467 litres, surpassing many performance sedans and even some large family sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench allowed for additional storage space when needed.

The 2021 Dodge Charger continued to offer practicality alongside its performance capabilities. As a four-door, five-passenger sedan, it functioned well as a family car, with a spacious back seat and comfortable accommodations. The interior technology, though somewhat dated, was easy to read and use. The steering wheel featured accessible buttons for in-car functions, and paddle shifters were available on all but the base model. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat expanded the already spacious trunk, providing additional storage space. Compared to other large cars, the Charger's cargo space was about average.

The 2020 Dodge Charger featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen across all trims in Canada, running the user-friendly Uconnect infotainment system. This system included Bluetooth and USB connectivity, available satellite and HD radio, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The intuitive menu layout allowed for easy navigation, with docked icons for quick access to various functions. The digital display screen in the instrument panel was operated via a steering wheel directional pad, providing information on trip data, vehicle settings, and more.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with a standard 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering push-button start, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a six-speaker audio system. Additional features, such as an 8.4-inch touchscreen, premium audio systems, navigation, and a Wi-Fi hot spot, were available as options. The Uconnect system, while easy to navigate, had some functions buried in menus. The latest version of Uconnect was not yet available on the Charger, but it promised improvements in other Dodge models.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. Standard advanced safety features included forward-collision warning with 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 received a "Superior" rating from the IIHS.

The 2021 Dodge Charger had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the structurally similar 2020 model received mostly "Good" ratings, with "Poor" marks for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Charger a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included brake assist, electronic stability control, hill start assist, rear park assist, rain brake support, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic headlights were available in packages.