2021 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its traditionally bland image by incorporating more dynamic styling elements. The design featured flared wheel arches and sleek headlights and taillights, which helped to give the car a wider appearance. However, the SE and XSE trims were criticized for their excessive use of fake vents, adding unnecessary visual clutter. The LE and XLE trims offered a slightly cleaner look with a different grille design. The interior mirrored the exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of contrasting materials and trim elements that lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite the low-rent feel of some materials, the Camry's interior was functional, with a focus on practicality over luxury.

The 2021 Dodge Charger maintained its iconic muscle car aesthetic, appealing to a specific audience with its bold and aggressive design. The model offered a variety of trims, including the high-performance SRT Hellcat Redeye, which featured a widebody format and a functional performance hood. The Charger's design remained largely unchanged over the years, making it difficult for casual observers to determine the model's age. Inside, the Charger offered a straightforward and somewhat dated interior, with a focus on functionality rather than luxury. The fit and finish had improved over time, but the use of hard plastics and rubberized surfaces gave it a utilitarian feel. The spacious back seat and trunk made it a practical choice for families, despite its performance-oriented nature.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produced 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with front-wheel drive, and slightly less with all-wheel drive. The XSE trim featured a dual-exhaust system, increasing output to 206 hp and 186 lb-ft with FWD. A 3.5-litre V6 engine was available, delivering 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, while the Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre engine with electric assist for a total of 208 hp. The Camry's chassis tuning provided a good balance between handling and ride quality, making it enjoyable to drive without sacrificing comfort. The TRD package offered additional performance enhancements, including a sportier suspension and larger brakes.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a variety of powerful engine options. The base models, SXT and GT, were equipped with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine, 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 engine, generating 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye was powered by a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8, delivering an impressive 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. The Charger's performance was complemented by its smooth automatic transmission and configurable drive modes, providing a connected driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered generous rear headroom and legroom, though front headroom and legroom were below average. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent outward visibility. Cargo space was 428 litres, which was average for a midsize sedan but less than the Honda Accord's 473 litres. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders. The Camry featured analog controls for important functions, enhancing ease of use, though some controls were a long reach from the driver's seat.

The 2021 Dodge Charger functioned well as a family car, with a spacious back seat and comfortable accommodations. The interior technology was dated but easy to read, with a functional steering wheel and paddle shifters. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat expanded the trunk space, providing average cargo capacity for a large car. The Charger's interior focused on practicality, with a straightforward design and easy-to-use controls.

The 2021 Toyota Camry came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on the XSE and XLE trims. The infotainment system was functional but lacked standout features, with plain graphics and limited USB ports.

The 2021 Dodge Charger included basic features such as push-button start, a rearview camera, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Available upgrades included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, premium audio systems, navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Uconnect infotainment system was easy to navigate, though some functions were buried in menus. The lack of a head-up display and the use of interchangeable switchgear contributed to a lower-tech feel.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with the TSS 2.5+ package, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features included enhanced forward-collision warning and a Rear Seat Reminder. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available as options.

The 2021 Dodge Charger received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with brake assist, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. The 2020 model received mostly "Good" crashworthiness ratings from the IIHS but "Poor" marks for headlights.