2022 Dodge Charger vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback emerged as a beacon of opportunity amidst the declining popularity of hatchbacks in North America. As other automakers phased out this body style, Honda seized the moment with a redesigned Civic hatchback, produced in Indiana. This model aimed to capture a significant share of the remaining market, offering a practical and enjoyable driving experience. The Civic hatchback shared its front design with the sedan but distinguished itself with unique rear styling. Inside, the Sport Touring trim boasted sophisticated digital displays and high-quality controls, although the CVT shifter operation slightly detracted from its overall refinement.

In contrast, the 2022 Dodge Charger, built on a platform dating back to 2005, showcased a modern yet menacing design. Despite its dated cabin, the Charger offered ease of use with its thick bezels and chunky controls. The 2015 facelift brought a contemporary exterior, while the interior retained a small-truck feel. The Charger lineup included various trims, from the V6-powered SXT to the high-performance Hellcat variants. The Hellcat Widebody, with its supercharged V8 engine, transformed the Charger into a well-rounded performance machine, offering thrilling acceleration and improved handling.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The latter provided accessible torque from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm, enhancing the driving experience. Front-wheel drive was standard, with no all-wheel drive option. The Civic's suspension and steering delivered a satisfying ride, while the CVT worked well with the turbo engine. Enthusiasts preferred the Sport Touring with a six-speed manual transmission for its engaging driving dynamics. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with real-world testing nearly matching official estimates.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing up to 300 horsepower in the SXT AWD and GT trims. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower, while the Scat Pack 392 boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower. The Hellcat variants, including the Redeye and Jailbreak, delivered supercar-level power, with the Jailbreak reaching 807 horsepower. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive was standard. The Hellcat's acceleration was exhilarating, with the Widebody setup enhancing cornering precision.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback prioritized functionality with a spacious 693-litre trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The rear seat offered a 60/40-split folding design, although the load floor wasn't flat. While seating was comfortable, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and rear air conditioning vents were absent. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and heated front seats were standard in Canada. The Sport Touring trim featured black leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, provided ample legroom but limited headroom, especially in the rear. The high centre console and performance bucket seats created an intimate driving experience. The Charger offered 467 litres of trunk space, though the small trunk lid and high rear bumper posed challenges for loading large items. Despite these limitations, the Charger combined sports-car performance with practicality, making it a versatile choice.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system, with LX and Sport trims offering a 7-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sport Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Physical knobs for sound controls improved usability, and the voice recognition system performed well. Digital instrumentation was standard, with the Sport Touring offering a comprehensive 10.2-inch display.

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 optional on the SXT and standard on higher trims. Both screens included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology blended well with conventional controls, offering a straightforward user experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. New features like low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist were available with the CVT. A blind-spot warning system was standard in Canada, with rear cross-traffic warning on the Sport Touring. The Civic earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety features and engineering.

The 2022 Dodge Charger lagged in standard safety features, offering only a backup camera and rear parking sensors. Optional features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. 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.