2023 Toyota Prius vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from 2015, with a sleek nose and sharp LED taillights that gave it a modern edge despite its older underpinnings. The car's vibrant exterior colours, such as Plum Crazy, made it stand out against competitors like the Accord, Altima, and Camry. The Charger Scat Pack Swinger, with its widebody kit, featured flared fenders, 20-inch wheels, and a distinctive hood scoop, creating a bold and aggressive look. The interior, however, felt dated with its small touchscreen and plasticky knobs, though it offered some unique touches like green stitching and a Swinger badge.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Prius underwent a complete makeover, finally offering a stylish design that matched its efficiency. The new Prius featured a sleek exterior with a blend of curves and edges, giving it a futuristic appearance. The car was longer, lower, and wider, with wheels pushed to the corners for better handling. Inside, the Prius boasted top-notch materials and a solid feel, with a pair of screens for the driver and a dashboard-mounted infotainment system. The cabin prioritized function over form, offering a comfortable space for passengers.

The 2023 Dodge Charger offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 292 to 300 horsepower, depending on the trim. This engine was the only one available with all-wheel drive, though its performance in adverse conditions was lacking. The Charger excelled with its V8 engines, including the 5.7-litre Hemi with 370 hp and the 6.4-litre V8 in the Scat Pack, delivering 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Charger SRT Hellcats took performance to another level with a supercharged 6.2-litre engine producing up to 807 hp in the Redeye Jailbreak model. Despite its size, the Charger handled well, with good grip and braking performance.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a more powerful electric motor, delivering 196 total horsepower in all-wheel drive models. This was a significant improvement over the previous model's 121 hp. The Prius offered excellent fuel economy, with ratings of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving. The new powertrain provided a more athletic and responsive driving experience, with improved acceleration times. The Prius handled well, with agile suspension and a longer wheelbase, though the brakes had a slight squishiness typical of hybrids.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its large size, felt cramped inside. Headroom was adequate, but the footwells were tight, and the transmission tunnel limited rear legroom. The trunk offered a generous 470 litres of space. The Charger's controls were straightforward, with large buttons and switches for climate control, lighting, and audio, making it easy to use without distraction.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, while larger on the outside, had a slightly smaller interior than its predecessor. Headroom was reduced due to the sloping roofline, but legroom improved, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Limited trim featured a fixed glass roof, enhancing the cabin's openness. Cargo space was 575 litres, with some underfloor storage. The cabin included practical features like cupholders, a wireless charging pocket, and USB-C ports.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect infotainment system and advanced driver-assistance features. It featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and voice recognition. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed customization of various performance settings, including launch control and line lock for drag racing.

The 2023 Toyota Prius offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on XLE models, with a larger 12.3-inch screen on the Limited trim. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though navigation required a subscription. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster provided driver information, while the Limited trim included a JBL audio system and digital rearview mirror. Subscription-based connectivity bundles offered remote access, safety features, and cloud navigation.

The 2023 Dodge Charger performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four out of five stars overall. It offered optional safety features like forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was available on higher trims.

The 2023 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane-departure alerts. The Proactive Driving Assist feature used radar and cameras to detect obstacles and adjust speed. The Prius received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were not yet available.