2021 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Chrysler 300

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its 2014 facelift. Its "three-box design" gave it a straightforward, timeless profile. The car's appearance, from the base 300 trim to the high-end 300S, was something owners could be proud of, with bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, and adaptive HID lamps on higher trims. The grille options, either black or chrome, added to its tough, no-nonsense look. Wheel sizes ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base model to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S. Inside, the Chrysler 300 offered high-quality materials, with Nappa leather upholstery standard on higher trims and heated front seats on the top two trim levels.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, in its seventh generation since 2011, continued to appeal to buyers with its numerous variants, including the top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye. The Charger maintained a consistent design over the years, with widebody formats available on some models. The wider body styling gave it an athletic stance, complemented by options like the functional performance hood on the SRT Hellcat Redeye. Wheel options varied from 17-inch on the base SXT to multiple 20-inch choices on the R/T. The Charger also offered a range of exterior colors with unique names. The interior, though updated over the years, still had a dated feel with hard plastic and rubberized surfaces. Cloth seats were standard on most trims, with Nappa leather available on higher trims.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for high-speed thrills but offered respectable performance. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine provided 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the 300S. The 300S also had an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,750, except on the 300S. The V6 engine offered a quiet and comfortable ride, while the V8 in the 300S provided a fun driving experience.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, with a variety of engine options. The SXT, SXT AWD, GT, and GT AWD models were powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering up to 300 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. The R/T model featured a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, and a 1,000-pound towing capacity. The Charger Scat Pack models had a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 producing 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 with 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, while the SRT Hellcat Redeye had a high-output version of the same engine, delivering 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Charger offered a connected driving experience with configurable drive modes and Performance Pages for SRT models.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 provided generous interior space, with 41.8 inches of front legroom and 40.1 inches in the rear. It offered 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing competitors like the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk had a capacity of 16.3 cubic feet, enough to accommodate four large suitcases.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a four-door, five-passenger sedan, balanced performance with practicality. It featured a spacious back seat and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for additional storage. The trunk space was average for its class. The instrument cluster varied by model, with different speedometer readings based on the car's top speed. The steering wheel had easy-to-reach buttons, and paddle shifters were available on all but the base model.

The 2021 Chrysler 300's instrument panel and center stack remained largely unchanged, featuring the intuitive Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with basic standard features, including push-button start, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a six-speaker audio system, four USB ports, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, keyless entry, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Available features included a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, upgraded audio systems, HD Radio, navigation, and a WiFi hotspot. The Uconnect system was user-friendly but had some functions buried in menus.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with five stars for combined side barrier and side pole crash tests. Standard safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available in higher trims and packages.

The 2021 Dodge Charger had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received mostly "Good" ratings and "Poor" for headlights. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Charger a four-star overall 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. Advanced safety features were available on some models.