2022 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the previous year, following a significant facelift in 2020. This update marked the first major design change for the Passat in nearly a decade. The car's body shell remained largely the same, with modifications to every panel except the roof, resulting in a strong resemblance to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta sedan. This gave the Passat a more understated appearance compared to its more radically styled competitors like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's smooth, rounded-off corners contributed to its aerodynamic efficiency, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.28. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) on Execline models.

Inside, the Passat's interior design was clean and functional, with a focus on analog controls rather than large digital screens. This approach enhanced forward and side visibility, avoiding the bunker-like feel of many modern cars. However, some buyers might have found the interior a bit plain, with limited brightwork and mostly plastic materials. Despite this, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's market positioning as a value option.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, on the other hand, was built on a platform dating back to 2005, shared with the Dodge Challenger coupe and Chrysler 300 sedan. Despite its age, the Charger underwent significant updates, with a major interior and exterior refresh in 2011 and a heavy facelift in 2015. The 2015 design, which carried over to the 2022 model, offered a modern and menacing look. While the exterior was updated, the cabin retained a dated appearance, with thick bezels and chunky buttons. However, this design prioritized ease of use over cutting-edge aesthetics.

The Charger offered a range of trims, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat and Jailbreak variants. The SXT trim included features like power-adjustable front seats, rear parking sensors, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added performance enhancements, such as sport-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, and more powerful engines. The Hellcat Widebody variant, introduced in 2020, transformed the Charger into a well-rounded performance machine, featuring a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine and upgraded suspension.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the horsepower figure was slightly below average compared to rivals, the torque output was more impressive. However, power delivery felt uneven, particularly during highway overtakes, unless the car was in Sport mode or gears were manually selected. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6.

In contrast, the 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engine options. The SXT and GT models featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in base form, with slight increases in the SXT AWD and GT trims. The R/T trim introduced a 5.7-litre Hemi V8, delivering 370 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. The Scat Pack 392 boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The Charger SRT Hellcat featured a supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8, producing 717 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The Redeye and Jailbreak variants pushed power even further, with the Redeye offering 797 horsepower and the Jailbreak reaching 807 horsepower. All engines were paired with a Torqueflite eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available on V6 models.

The Hellcat drivetrain delivered incredible acceleration, with the Hellcat and Redeye models sprinting from zero to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. The Hellcat Widebody variant featured wider tires and a wider track, enhancing cornering performance. The Charger offered various drive modes, including Auto, Sport, Track, and Custom, allowing drivers to tailor the car's performance to their preferences.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat offered 993 millimetres of rear legroom, slightly less than competitors like the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. However, this came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. The Passat's front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard. The car provided 450 litres of cargo space, more than some rivals but less than others like the Honda Accord. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders and a small smartphone cubby.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, offered ample legroom in both rows, but headroom was limited, particularly in the rear seats. The car's high centre console and performance bucket seats created an intimate driving experience. The Charger provided 467 litres of trunk space, but the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger offered sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk, making it more versatile than many competitors.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Execline models added built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. The Passat's infotainment system was simple and functional, with analog controls for basic functions. However, it lacked advanced features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and newer MIB3 infotainment system available in other VW models.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. The system featured large icons for major functions and was available in an 8.4-inch version on higher trims. Both screens included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While not the most advanced system, the Charger's infotainment setup balanced technology with conventional controls, providing a straightforward user experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published crash-test ratings for the Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Execline grade added lane-keep assist and lane departure warning. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.

The 2022 Dodge Charger lagged behind in standard safety features, offering only a backup camera and rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. 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.