2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2020 Dodge Charger

The 2020 Dodge Charger, with its roots tracing back to 2006, maintained a modern muscle car aesthetic that evolved over the years. By 2015, the Charger had undergone a significant facelift, introducing a sleeker front grille and more aggressive headlights, while still preserving its retro-inspired interior. The cabin combined vintage elements with modern technology, featuring large bezels housing digital displays and a cockpit-like feel due to its raised transmission tunnel. The Charger offered various trims, each with distinct features, from the base SXT with its 17-inch wheels and dual-zone climate control to the high-performance SRT Hellcat with its powerful engine and widebody kit.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class embraced a design philosophy known as "sensual purity," which was evident in its smooth, elegant lines reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. The E-Class featured a more refined and slightly edgier front design, with new bumpers and exhaust tips enhancing its sophisticated appearance. The interior was a showcase of luxury, with rich materials like wood, aluminum, and carbon fibre adorning the cabin. The E-Class offered a variety of body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible, each maintaining a reserved and conservative exterior while providing a lavish and modern interior experience.

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, producing 292 horsepower in the SXT RWD and 300 horsepower in the AWD and GT versions. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, complemented by an upgraded suspension and active exhaust. The Scat Pack variant boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8, delivering 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, along with high-performance brakes and launch assist. The pinnacle of the lineup, the SRT Hellcat Widebody, housed a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine, generating an impressive 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Charger was known for its robust performance, though its weight was noticeable in turns, mitigated by the adaptive suspension and Brembo brakes.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains, with the E450 becoming a hybrid. This model featured a 3.0-litre I6 engine with a single turbo, producing 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, enhanced by a 48-volt electrical system providing additional power. The AMG E53 variant added a second turbo, resulting in 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, offering brisk acceleration and a refined exhaust note. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-litre V8 engine, delivered 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, paired with a sophisticated chassis for exceptional performance. The E-Class excelled in providing a balanced driving experience, combining speed and handling precision with comfort, though fuel efficiency was a concern for the AMG models.

The 2020 Dodge Charger stood out among high-horsepower sedans for its spacious interior. The rear seats offered ample legroom, and the front bucket seats provided excellent support and comfort. The cabin featured practical storage solutions, including door trays and a large centre console. The Charger's trunk was notably large, with a capacity of 467 litres, surpassing many performance sedans and even some family sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench further enhanced its cargo versatility.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a spacious cabin accommodating four adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. The interior was designed for user-friendliness, with separate climate controls, drive mode switches, and seat controls on the doors. The E-Class sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the coupe and convertible offered less due to their design. The wagon variant excelled in cargo capacity, with 640 litres available, expandable to 1,820 litres with seats folded. The E-Class All-Terrain model added versatility with increased ground clearance and rugged styling.

The 2020 Dodge Charger featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, praised for its simplicity and ease of use. It included Bluetooth, USB connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard, with available satellite and HD radio. The system's logical menu layout allowed for quick access to functions, and the digital display in the instrument panel provided essential information, including navigation directions.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced the MBUX system, offering a touch-sensitive main screen with improved organization and reduced menu complexity. Gesture controls and natural voice processing enhanced user interaction, while features like live camera feeds and massaging seats added luxury. The system lacked over-the-air updates, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless. However, the E-Class offered advanced driving assists and customizable instrument cluster displays, providing a high-tech experience.

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. Advanced safety technologies like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring were standard, with optional lane-departure warning and rain-sensing wipers. The Charger earned a Superior rating in IIHS crash prevention tests.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was renowned for its safety, achieving a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS for the sedan model. The E-Class featured innovative safety technologies, such as Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during collisions. Standard safety equipment included forward automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.