2021 Dodge Charger vs 2022 Mazda MAZDA3

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 on the road, characterized by its widebody styling and functional performance hood. The model offered a plethora of customization options, from wheel sizes to exterior colours, allowing owners to personalize their vehicles. However, the interior, while improved over the years, still lacked the premium feel expected in higher-priced models, with a prevalence of hard plastics and limited comfort features.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 presented a more refined and artistic design, available in both sedan and hatchback forms. The car's sleek lines and mature styling appealed to those seeking a sophisticated yet understated vehicle. Inside, the Mazda3 offered a driver-centric layout with high-quality materials and a focus on comfort. The hatchback variant, while stylish, had limited rear seat space and cargo capacity, making it less practical for taller passengers or larger loads. Despite these limitations, the Mazda3's interior exuded an upscale ambiance, enhanced by features like leather upholstery and a well-designed dashboard.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a range of powerful engines to suit different driving preferences. The base models, including the SXT and GT, featured 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. For those seeking more power, the R/T variant boasted a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 with 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, while the Scat Pack models offered a 6.4-litre HEMI V8 producing 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The pinnacle of the lineup, the SRT Hellcat Redeye, featured a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8, generating an impressive 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the Hellcat Redeye was the least fuel-efficient, with a combined consumption of 15.6 L/100 km. The Charger provided a connected driving experience with configurable drive modes and a Performance Pages function for SRT models, although its automatic transmission was occasionally clunky during downshifts.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a more modest performance range, starting with the base GX sedan's 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. Most buyers opted for the 2.5-litre non-turbocharged engine, delivering 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, with fuel consumption between 7.8 and 8.6 L/100 km. The turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, available with AWD, provided 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular gas, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. Despite its power, the turbocharged Mazda3 struggled to meet its advertised fuel efficiency, averaging 10.2 L/100 km. The Mazda3 excelled in handling, offering a smooth ride, nimble steering, and excellent balance, although its brakes showed signs of fade during aggressive driving. Overall, the Mazda3 delivered a fun and engaging driving experience, marred only by its limited fuel range and brake performance.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a four-door, five-passenger sedan, balanced performance with practicality, offering a spacious back seat and ample trunk space. The interior, while dated in terms of technology, featured a functional steering wheel with easy-to-reach controls. Paddle shifters were available on most models, although their placement could lead to accidental gear changes during spirited driving. The Charger provided a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, expanding its cargo capacity, which was average for its class.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3, sitting low to the ground, posed challenges for entry and exit, compounded by small door openings. Once inside, the front seats offered a snug yet comfortable fit, with excellent thigh and side bolster support. The driver-centric design included an eight-way power-adjustable seat and heated front seats as standard in Canada. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with limited legroom and no rear air conditioning vents or USB ports. Storage space was adequate, with large door bins and a sizable centre console, although the wireless charging pad's placement was inconvenient. The hatchback variant offered 569 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,334 litres with the rear seats folded, while the sedan provided 374 litres in the trunk.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with basic standard features, including a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, push-button start, and smartphone integration. Buyers could upgrade to an 8.4-inch touchscreen, premium audio systems, and navigation, although the lack of a head-up display and outdated switchgear detracted from its tech appeal. The Uconnect system was user-friendly but had some functions buried in menus, and the latest version was not yet available on the Charger.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, with an 8.8-inch display and a console-mounted control scheme. Mazda's approach aimed to reduce driver distraction, but the lack of a physical tuning function and a cumbersome voice recognition system were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration mitigated some of these issues. Mazda Connected Services offered remote access to vehicle functions, while an optional Bose audio system and head-up display enhanced the tech experience.

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

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in safety, earning five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features in Canada included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with additional features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist available as options. The Mazda3's driver-assist systems performed reliably, enhancing driver confidence without issuing false alarms.