2021 Dodge Charger vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a distinctive presence on the road, with its unique styling that included wide-eyed LED-ringed headlights and a grinning front grille. Its vibrant colour options and Union Jack taillights added to its charm, making it a favourite among car enthusiasts. Despite its eye-catching design, the Cooper managed to avoid being gaudy, instead exuding a charming and praise-worthy aura. Over the years, the MINI Cooper evolved from a two-door hardtop to include a convertible variant and a four-door body style. The introduction of the all-electric SE trim marked a significant step, offering similar performance and refinement to the Cooper S, but with an electric motor and battery. The SE maintained much of the Cooper S's design, with the main difference being its slightly higher stance to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's design was dominated by circular elements, providing a premium feel unmatched by other cars of its size.

The 2021 Dodge Charger continued to be a popular choice, largely due to the variety of models available, including the top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye. The Charger maintained a consistent design over the years, making it difficult for casual observers to determine the model's age. This design consistency was both a blessing and a curse, as it provided a recognizable look but lacked significant updates. The interior of the Charger had seen improvements in fit and finish over time, but it still lacked in comfort and convenience features compared to its competitors. The use of hard plastic and rubberized surfaces gave it a more utilitarian feel, similar to the Jeep Wrangler. Cloth seats were standard, with Nappa leather available on higher trims. Despite its shortcomings, the Charger offered a spacious interior, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 MINI Cooper was renowned for its nimble quickness and ability to carve corners with ease. The electric SE trim featured an electric motor producing 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This placed it just below the Cooper S's 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, which generated 189 hp and 207 lb-ft. The SE's immediate torque delivery made it feel just as quick as the Cooper S, despite its slightly lower power figures. The SE also featured regenerative braking, which could be adjusted for aggressiveness. The SE's battery added weight, but its low centre of gravity helped maintain the classic MINI driving experience. Gas-powered Coopers offered a choice between a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an eight-speed automatic, while the SE used a single-speed gearbox.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a range of engine options to suit different preferences. The SXT and GT models were powered by a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. The R/T model featured a 5.7-litre HEMI V8, producing 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds. The Scat Pack models boasted a 6.4-litre HEMI V8, generating 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat Redeye, the most powerful variant, featured a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI high-output V8, delivering an impressive 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the Hellcat Redeye managed to offer a manageable driving experience. The Charger lacked manual transmission options, but its automatic transmission provided smooth upshifts. The Charger offered a connected driving experience with configurable drive modes and Performance Pages for SRT models.

The 2020 MINI Cooper hatchback was not ideal for carpooling or long road trips, but it offered good front-seat space and a spacious feel due to its large windows. The backseat was small, best suited for children, and cargo space was limited, with 246 litres in the two-door model and 371 litres in the four-door version. The MINI Convertible offered only 161 litres of cargo space. Despite its compact size, the Cooper was thoughtfully designed, featuring two-zone automatic air conditioning and high-quality materials.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a four-door, five-passenger sedan, balanced speed and power with practicality. It offered a spacious back seat and comfortable accommodations, making it a suitable family car. The instrument cluster varied by model, and the steering wheel provided easy access to in-car functions. Paddle shifters were available on most models, though they could be accidentally engaged during spirited driving. The Charger featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, expanding the already average cargo space for a large car.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display, which moved with the steering wheel adjustments. The display provided information on speed, energy consumption, remaining charge, and drive mode. The SE's 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery offered a range of 177 kilometres, suitable for urban drivers. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display included Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with an 8.8-inch screen available on higher trims. The Premier+ trim also offered a wireless charging pad and a head-up display.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with standard features like push-button start, a rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Available upgrades included a sunroof, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, premium audio systems, navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly, though some functions were buried in menus. The Charger lacked a head-up display, making navigation less convenient.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE lacked advanced safety features, with only front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera included in the Premier+ package. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The IIHS rated the 2020 MINI Cooper with top marks, earning "Good" scores in all crash tests.

The 2021 Dodge Charger received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included brake assist, electronic stability control, hill start assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. The 2020 model received mostly "Good" crashworthiness ratings from the IIHS but "Poor" marks for headlights.