2021 Dodge Charger vs 2022 Audi A4

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a staple in the muscle car segment, continued to captivate buyers with its diverse range of variants, including the high-performance SRT Hellcat Redeye. Despite its decade-old design, the Charger maintained a distinctive presence with its widebody options and bold styling cues, such as the functional performance hood and Hellcat badging. The exterior offered a plethora of customization options, from wheel designs to paint colours with evocative names like Hellraisin and Frostbite. However, the interior, while improved over the years, still lagged in terms of luxury and modern conveniences, with a prevalence of hard plastics and a somewhat dated gauge cluster.

In contrast, the 2022 Audi A4 exuded a more understated elegance, with its simple and conservative design serving as a perfect backdrop for the striking Tango Red paint and Black Edition package. The interior mirrored this aesthetic restraint, featuring high-quality materials and a well-integrated dashboard with a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit. Despite the snug cabin and limited rear legroom, the A4 offered a comfortable driving experience with its power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The intuitive layout and separate climate controls added to the overall user-friendly environment, although the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system seemed somewhat out of place.

The 2021 Dodge Charger was renowned for its performance prowess, offering a range of engines to suit different driving preferences. The base models, including the SXT and GT, were equipped with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque, making them the most fuel-efficient options. The R/T variant 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. At the top of the lineup, the SRT Hellcat Redeye's supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 churned out an impressive 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque, though it was the least fuel-efficient. The Charger offered a connected driving experience with configurable drive modes and a Performance Pages function for SRT models, enhancing its track capabilities.

The 2022 Audi A4, while not as powerful as the Charger, provided a refined driving experience with its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines. The 40 TFSI variant produced 201 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-100 km/h time of approximately 6.5 seconds. The 45 TFSI model, tested here, offered 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, with a quicker 0-100 km/h time of 5.4 seconds. Both engines required premium gas and featured a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission, paired with Audi's Quattro Ultra AWD system. The A4 excelled in driving dynamics, with a smooth and engaging ride, precise steering, and effective braking performance. The car's quiet cabin and solid structure further enhanced the driving experience, making it a joy to drive in various conditions.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a four-door, five-passenger sedan, balanced performance with practicality, offering a spacious back seat and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for additional cargo space. The interior, though dated in terms of technology, provided a functional layout with easy-to-read instruments and a well-designed steering wheel. Paddle shifters were available on most models, though their placement could lead to accidental gear changes during spirited driving. The Charger's trunk space was average for its class, but the overall interior space made it a viable option for families.

The 2022 Audi A4, with its low-slung design, presented challenges in terms of entry and exit, compounded by small door openings and a snug cabin. However, once inside, the A4 offered exceptional comfort with its power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, and a three-zone automatic climate control system. The rear seats, while supportive, were limited in legroom and best suited for shorter trips. Interior storage was minimal, with the centre console housing the wireless charging pad, leaving little room for other items. The A4's 340-litre cargo space was well-finished, with enclosed hinges and storage nets, providing ample room for luggage.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with a basic set of standard features, including a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, push-button start, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Optional upgrades included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, premium audio systems, and navigation. The Uconnect infotainment system, while user-friendly, lacked the latest updates and larger screens found in other Dodge models, and the absence of a head-up display was a notable drawback.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI), with a 10.1-inch touchscreen supporting smartphone-like functions. The system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI was intuitive and easy to use, with separate climate controls and steering wheel buttons for volume and tuning. The voice recognition system, though accurate, was slow to respond. The A4 also offered a head-up display, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Dodge Charger received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with standard features including brake assist, electronic stability control, and rear park assist. Optional safety packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. The structurally similar 2020 model received "Good" crashworthiness ratings from the IIHS but "Poor" marks for headlights.

The 2022 Audi A4, with its top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, offered a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features. The Audi Pre Sense system included collision preparation, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features on the test vehicle included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. The A4's safety tech was effective and non-intrusive, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally required driver intervention.