Dodge Charger vs Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from its 2015 update, featuring a sleek nose and sharp LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger maintained a distinct and modern appearance compared to its competitors like the Accord, Altima, and Camry. The Swinger variant, a Dodge Charger Scat Pack with a widebody kit, showcased a bold design with flared fenders, a large hood scoop, and deep-dish bronze wheels. The interior, however, felt dated with its small touchscreen and plasticky knobs, though it included unique touches like green stitching and a Swinger badge.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid received significant styling updates, including a streamlined front fascia with a "seamless horizon lamp" and a redesigned rear end resembling the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Sonata's side profile remained similar to the 2023 model, but it featured new wheel options. Inside, the Sonata's dash was updated with vents flowing across and a redesigned steering wheel. The gear shifter moved to the steering column, and the interior offered options like leather upholstery and Nappa leather with suede inserts in the N Line trim.

The 2023 Dodge Charger offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 producing 292 to 300 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 was the only engine available with all-wheel drive, it was criticized for its slow response. The Charger R/T models featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 hp, while the Scat Pack models boasted a 6.4-litre V8 with 485 hp. The Charger SRT Hellcats, with their supercharged 6.2-litre engines, delivered up to 807 hp in the Redeye Jailbreak variant. Despite its size, the Charger handled well, with good grip and braking performance.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid introduced an all-wheel-drive system for the first time, available on the Preferred-Trend trim. The base engine was a 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 191 hp, while the N Line trim offered a turbocharged version with 290 hp. The Sonata's handling and steering feel were praised, and the eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth power delivery. The N Line's dual-clutch transmission added a sporty touch, though it remained front-wheel drive only.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its large size, felt cramped inside, with limited rear legroom and headroom. The trunk offered a generous 470 litres of space. The Charger's controls were straightforward, with large buttons and switches for climate and audio controls, making it user-friendly.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid provided competitive interior space, with 975 mm of front-seat headroom and 950 mm in the rear. The front row was prioritized with 1,170 mm of legroom, while the rear offered 885 mm. The Sonata's interior featured heated and ventilated front seats, a slimmer steering wheel, and a trunk close button for added convenience.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest infotainment features, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen offering wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed customization of performance settings, and the Performance Pages displayed real-time data. Advanced features like launch control and line lock were available on higher trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid impressed with its selectable USB-C port functionality, allowing seamless use of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sonata featured a curved display combining the infotainment touchscreen and driver-information display. The N Line trim offered navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system, while both trims included HD Radio, Sirius XM, and a wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Dodge Charger performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four out of five stars overall. However, it lacked standard advanced safety features, with options like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control available on higher trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot collision warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, and adaptive cruise control. Hyundai's infotainment system made it easy to access and understand these features, enhancing overall safety.