2021 Dodge Charger vs 2022 Toyota Camry

In 2021, the Dodge Charger maintained its appeal, as it had since its significant updates back in 2014. Buyers gravitated toward its bold presence, and Dodge's strategic array of models—ranging from the base SXT to the fire-breathing SRT Hellcat Redeye—ensured there was a Charger for everyone in the "brotherhood of muscle." The top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye, with its functional performance hood and available Satin Black finish, epitomized the Charger’s muscular persona. Most models offered options like widebody formats and a myriad of wheel, brake, and tire choices, adding to the car's athletic stature.

The Charger could sport standard halogen projector headlights or optional HID projector lights, complemented by 13 paint choices with imaginative names such as Hellraisin and Frostbite. Despite these customization options, the Charger’s overall design, largely unchanged for a decade, was sometimes seen as both a benefit and a drawback.

Inside, the Charger's interior had seen technological upgrades over time but lacked the opulence expected in higher-priced models. Hard plastic and rubber surfaces echoed the utilitarian Jeep Wrangler more than the plush Ram 1500. While cloth seats were standard, higher trims boasted Nappa leather and optional features like heated and ventilated seats. For models priced under $40,000, this was acceptable, but at $70,000, buyers might expect more luxury.

By contrast, the 2022 Toyota Camry, especially in the Cavalry Blue TRD variant, marked a dramatic departure from previous models' anonymity. Its eye-catching design, including an aerodynamic body kit, pedestal-style rear spoiler, matte-black 19-inch wheels, and bold red accents, demanded attention even if it wasn’t universally adored. The Camry's updates for 2022, including paint options like Ice Edge and features like standard heated side mirrors, reiterated its approachability.

While some critiques remained about its underlying styling, which dated back to 2018, the Camry's unusual dashboard layout and driver-oriented center console offered a modern interior. The TRD’s specific design elements such as red gauge illumination and red seatbelts were seen as a bit over-the-top, adding to the car’s polarizing appeal.

The 2021 Dodge Charger flexed its muscles through a versatile lineup of engines. Starting with a 3.6-liter V6 used in the SXT and GT models, it offered a decent 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque, all managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking more grunt, the R/T offered a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 producing 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque—enough to tow 1,000 pounds. The Scat Pack models dialed it up with a 6.4-liter V8 delivering 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque.

The SRT Hellcat variants roared to life with a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8, but it was the Redeye variant that stole the show with its 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. Fuel efficiency, naturally, took a hit, with the Redeye variant achieving just 15 mpg combined, reflecting its raw power capacity. The absence of a manual-transmission option didn’t deter from the engaged driving experience, facilitated by the car's smooth upshifts and dependable Performance Pages function.

On paper and in practice, the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD’s 3.5-liter V6 carried a respectable 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, channeling its power through an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The Camry TRD’s overall efficiency was confirmed by its near-target combined fuel economy rating of 24.8 mpg during spirited drives.

Toyota’s efforts to enhance the Camry TRD’s rigidity paid off, with stiffer sway bars, tauter springs, TRD shocks, and a sporty exhaust system contributing to a lively drive. Yet, the car’s front-wheel-drive setup meant it was prone to breaking loose, exhibiting a front-heavy tendency in tight corners. Despite this, the Camry TRD held its own in terms of daily comfort and track-tuned responsiveness, though it fell short of the Charger’s sheer brute force.

The 2021 Dodge Charger seated five passengers across its four-door frame, convincingly doubling as a family sedan with a spacious back seat and accommodating interior. Despite dated technology, the readable instrument cluster and ergonomic steering wheel were functional. Rear seats offered a 60/40 split, expanding the trunk’s cargo capacity. With average space for its class, the Charger provided practical storage without compromising performance appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD, with its sporty disposition, sacrificed some practicality for style. While the front seats lacked additional bolstering, the low-slung, sporty driving position minimized body roll, keeping occupants in place during spirited driving. Yet, the fixed rear seatback in the TRD, designed for structural rigidity, eliminated flexible cargo space, limiting the Camry TRD to its 15.1 cubic-foot trunk—the segment's smaller capacity.

Although the Camry TRD’s interior wasn’t the roomiest, it comfortably seated two adults in the back. Toyota countered the trunk limitation with ample in-cabin storage, including a sizable bin under the center armrest and various stash spaces throughout the cabin.

Standard offerings in the 2021 Dodge Charger included essentials like push-button start, a rearview camera, six-speaker audio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Optional upgrades enhanced its premium appeal, adding features like a sunroof, dual-zone climate control, larger 8.4-inch touchscreen, and advanced audio systems. However, the absence of a head-up display and the lag in adopting the latest Uconnect system left a tech gap, compounded by outdated button and dial designs.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD's technology, though wrapped around a modest 7-inch touchscreen, catered to modern needs with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and satellite radio. Additional subscription services such as Safety Connect and WiFi Connect broadened its tech suite. An optional 9-inch touchscreen and JBL premium audio system offered an upgraded experience, though the TRD did miss out on some advanced tech features available in other trims.

While both vehicles were well-equipped, the Charger’s options for enhancing its base technology, despite being a bit dated, provided a more extensive suite. However, the Camry TRD’s straightforward and user-friendly tech, backed by subscription services, held its ground.

For the 2021 Dodge Charger, safety came with mixed reviews. Despite lacking a 2021 IIHS crash test, the structurally-similar 2020 model received good crashworthiness ratings but poor ratings for headlights. The NHTSA’s four-star overall safety rating for 2021 offered some reassurance. Standard features included brake assist, electronic stability, and tire pressure monitoring, with higher trims offering adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning.

In stark contrast, every 2022 Toyota Camry came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and more. The Camry TRD also included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as standard. Despite occasional misreadings by the lane-departure warning system and an overly cautious adaptive cruise control, these features underscored its safety tech robustness.

Safety Connect, standard for the first year, provided automatic collision notification and emergency assistance, enhancing the Camry’s safety vow. This dedication paid off with top-tier safety ratings, labeling the Camry a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS and earning five-star marks in every NHTSA evaluation.