2022 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, showcased a design evolution that embraced the "sensual purity" theme, moving away from the sharper angles of its predecessor. This model featured a more fluid and curvier form, reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models from earlier years. The E-Class had a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights. The car maintained its elegance across various body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible. Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxury, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre adorning the cabin. The interior was a blend of decadent materials and modern technology, highlighted by two 12-inch screens and a digital display that replaced analog gauges. The steering wheel featured touch-sensitive controls, adding to the car's modern appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Dodge Charger retained its bold and aggressive styling, a hallmark of its design since the 2015 facelift. While the exterior had a modern and menacing look, the interior felt dated compared to contemporary standards. The cabin had a small-truck feel with thick bezels and chunky controls, but it offered ease of use. The Charger came in various trims, each with distinct features, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat and Jailbreak models with supercharged V8 engines. The Charger was known for its performance capabilities, with the Hellcat Widebody variant offering a well-rounded performance machine. Despite its aging platform, the Charger provided a thrilling driving experience, especially in its higher trims.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains, replacing conventional V6 engines. The E450 became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the traditional 12-volt system. This setup provided extra power and torque, allowing the engine to shut off more frequently to save fuel and reduce emissions. The E450's 3.0-litre inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional overboost from the battery. The AMG E53 added a second turbo, delivering 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E63 S, with its 4.0-litre V8 engine, produced 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, offering a high-performance experience. The E-Class models featured a 4Matic AWD system, providing stability and poise.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque in the base SXT trim. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. The Scat Pack 392 had a 6.4-litre Hemi V8, delivering 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat models, including the Redeye and Jailbreak, boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8, with the Redeye producing 797 hp and the Jailbreak reaching 807 hp. The Charger offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with AWD available on V6 models. The Hellcat's performance was impressive, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 315 km/h. The Widebody setup improved handling and traction, making the Charger a formidable performance sedan.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a spacious cabin with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The interior was user-friendly, with separate climate controls, drive mode switches, and seat controls on the doors. The E-Class offered various body styles, each with different cargo capacities. The sedan had 540 litres of trunk space, while the wagon provided up to 1,820 litres with seats folded. The coupe and convertible had less cargo space, with the convertible offering limited rear seat usability due to the folding soft top.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, despite being a large sedan, had a more intimate feel due to its high centre console and performance bucket seats. Both rows offered plenty of legroom, but headroom was limited, especially in the rear. The Charger had 467 litres of trunk space, but the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. The Charger provided sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk, making it versatile for everyday use.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, offering a touch-sensitive main screen with improved organization and shortcut buttons for major functions. The system included natural voice processing, online searches, and a live feed from the front camera with overlay arrows for navigation. Optional features included massaging seats, seat kinetics, and various driving assists. The E-Class offered a wireless phone charger, 4G WiFi, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wireless.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. An 8.4-inch version was available on higher trims, offering larger icons and easier navigation. Both screens included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology was well-integrated with conventional controls, providing a straightforward user experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was highly rated for safety, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS. It featured innovative safety technologies, such as Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during a collision. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2022 Dodge Charger lagged in standard safety features, offering only a backup camera and rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Charger received a Marginal rating in the IIHS driver’s side overlap test but earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.