2020 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Dodge Charger was a modern interpretation of the classic muscle car, with its aggressive headlights and distinctive grille that had evolved since its 2011 iteration. The 2015 facelift introduced a sleeker front design, with a thin inlet replacing the large grille and more menacing headlights. Inside, the Charger maintained a retro vibe with modern touches, featuring large bezels housing digital displays and a cockpit-like feel due to its raised transmission tunnel. The trim levels ranged from the SXT to the high-performance SRT Hellcat, each offering unique features and styling cues, such as the GT's 20-inch wheels and the R/T's V8 engine.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Maxima was a flagship sedan that set a bold styling precedent for other Nissan models. Its design featured a "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille, giving it a distinctive Art Deco locomotive appearance. The Maxima's 40th Anniversary Edition, although not available in Canada, showcased elements like 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black exterior trim. The Maxima's design was intended to be sporty, with a focus on the driver, but it also highlighted the limitations in rear passenger space and cargo capacity compared to its competitors.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains, starting with the SXT and GT trims 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, while the Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 delivering 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat Widebody topped the lineup with a supercharged 6.2-litre V8, generating 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Charger was known for its impressive acceleration and handling, with features like Brembo brakes and Bilstein adaptive suspension enhancing its performance.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While not a "four-door sports car," the Maxima offered a decent driving experience with its agile handling and responsive CVT. However, its steering lacked precision, and the front-wheel-drive setup led to some torque steer. Despite these limitations, the Maxima provided a comfortable ride with a quiet cabin, making it suitable for highway cruising.

The 2020 Dodge Charger stood out for its spacious interior, offering ample legroom for rear passengers and well-bolstered front bucket seats. The cabin featured practical storage solutions, including door trays and a large centre console. The Charger's trunk capacity of 467 litres was impressive, providing more space than many performance sedans and even some large family sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench further enhanced its cargo versatility.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front passenger space, with generous headroom and legroom, but at the expense of rear-seat comfort. The rear headroom and legroom were among the lowest in its class, and the inboard seat positioning contributed to a cramped feeling. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima's cabin was designed with the driver in mind, offering excellent visibility and Nissan's "Zero Gravity" front seats for optimal support. However, its cargo capacity of 405 litres was the smallest among its competitors.

The 2020 Dodge Charger featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with the user-friendly Uconnect infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, USB connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system's intuitive layout allowed for easy navigation between functions, with docked icons always present, even when using Apple CarPlay. The digital display screen in the instrument panel provided additional information and control options, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's technology offerings included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. A WiFi hotspot and an 11-speaker Bose audio system were standard, but the infotainment system's dated graphics and small icons made it challenging to use. While Nissan provided analog controls for convenience, the overall experience was marred by unpleasant notification sounds and a lack of modern functionality.

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's crash prevention technology received a "Superior" rating from the IIHS.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Maxima also offered a 360-degree camera system on higher trims, although it lacked the ProPilot Assist system available in other Nissan models.