2020 Honda Civic vs 2021 Dodge Charger

The 2020 Honda Civic was a standout in Honda's lineup, offering a compact car experience with a touch of luxury typically reserved for higher-end brands. It was available in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and hatchback—each showcasing a sharp design that belied its compact size. The sedan featured an elongated, elegant body with a svelte roofline, while the hatchback had a slightly quirky tall rump. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with body panel creases, wide headlights, and sweeping LED taillights accentuating its low and wide stance. The interior was simple yet sophisticated, with soft-touch materials and high-quality switchgear. The 2020 model introduced new styling elements, including matte-black wheels and updated bumpers, enhancing its already appealing design.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Charger maintained its muscular and aggressive aesthetic, a hallmark of its long-standing design. The Charger was available in various trims, including the high-performance SRT Hellcat Redeye, which featured a widebody format for a more athletic stance. Despite its decade-old design, the Charger remained popular due to its "brotherhood of muscle" appeal. The exterior offered numerous customization options, including different wheel sizes, brake calipers, and paint colours with unique names like Hellraisin and Frostbite. The interior, while updated over the years, still lacked some modern comforts and conveniences, with a utilitarian feel reminiscent of other Stellantis/FCA products. Cloth seats were standard, with Nappa leather available on higher trims, and the overall fit and finish had improved over time.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all front-wheel drive. The base engine was a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or a CVT. The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, available on higher trims, delivered 174 to 180 hp, providing better mid-range acceleration. The Civic Si featured a boosted 1.5-litre engine with 205 hp, while the Type R boasted 306 hp, both with manual transmissions. The Civic's powertrains were praised for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the Si offering a thrilling yet balanced driving experience. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with most models achieving around 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 L/100 km highway.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a variety of powerful engines. The base models featured a 3.6-litre V6 with up to 300 hp, while the R/T had a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 with 370 hp. The Scat Pack models boasted a 6.4-litre HEMI V8 with 485 hp, and the SRT Hellcat Redeye topped the range with a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 producing 797 hp. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth upshifts but slightly clunky downshifts. The Charger offered a connected driving experience with configurable drive modes and Brembo brakes for enhanced performance. However, the SRT Hellcat Redeye's fuel efficiency was the lowest, with an estimated 19.0 L/100 km city and 11.5 L/100 km highway.

The 2020 Honda Civic provided a spacious and configurable interior, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat on the EX hatchback. The steering wheel featured easy-to-use controls, and the centre console offered versatile storage options. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space, though the lack of rear air vents was a notable oversight. The sedan's trunk offered 416 litres of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 728 litres, expandable to 1,302 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Dodge Charger functioned well as a family car, with a spacious back seat and comfortable accommodations. The instrument cluster varied by model, and the steering wheel offered easy access to in-car functions. Paddle shifters were included on most models, though they could be accidentally engaged during spirited driving. The Charger featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, expanding the trunk's already average cargo space for a large car.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was outdated, with a slow interface and complex navigation. However, it included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to bypass the factory interface. The Civic Si introduced Active Sound Control, which could be turned off, and featured a 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo. Standard features included push-button start, keyless entry, and Honda Sensing, which offered advanced safety technologies.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with basic standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Buyers could upgrade to an 8.4-inch touchscreen, premium audio systems, and navigation. The Uconnect system was user-friendly but lacked the latest version available in other Dodge models. The absence of a head-up display and the use of interchangeable switchgear contributed to a lower-tech feel.

The 2020 Honda Civic was equipped with Honda Sensing, offering features like forward collision warning, emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests except for the Type R. The NHTSA awarded the Civic five stars in most categories, with a four-star rating for the passenger frontal crash on the coupe.

The 2021 Dodge Charger had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received mostly "Good" ratings, with "Poor" marks for headlights. The NHTSA gave the Charger a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included brake assist, electronic stability control, and rear park assist, with additional features available in packages.