2021 BMW 4 Series vs 2020 Dodge Challenger

The 2020 Dodge Challenger was a modern homage to its 1970s predecessor, maintaining a muscular silhouette with design updates over the years. Its recessed headlights and grille gave it a menacing look, hinting at the performance potential beneath. Inside, the Challenger featured a driver-focused cockpit with a blend of modern and vintage elements, though some might have found it dated. The car was available in nine trims, offering a range of features from basic to high-performance, with options like leather seating and unique color choices.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 4 Series was known for its controversial large twin-kidney grille, which was said to improve engine cooling. The rest of the car adhered to typical BMW styling, with aerodynamic features like Air Curtain intakes. The 4 Series shared its platform with the 3 Series sedan, offering a slightly larger and lower profile. Inside, it followed BMW's clean design philosophy, with standard sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. However, the steering wheel's size was criticized for being too large for a sporty coupe.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 305 horsepower in the SXT and GT trims, which could be paired with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, delivering up to 475 horsepower with a manual transmission. The R/T Scat Pack upgraded to a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, offering 485 horsepower and performance features like Brembo brakes. The Hellcat models boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, with the Redeye variant pushing 797 horsepower. The Challenger's SRT Performance Pages allowed for extensive customization of driving modes and performance metrics.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series came with two powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 430i, producing 255 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six in the M440i, delivering 382 horsepower. The 4 Series was quick, with the 430i xDrive reaching 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and the M440i xDrive in 4.3 seconds. However, the driving experience was hampered by a hesitant transmission and vague steering. Despite having performance-oriented features like Adaptive M Suspension and M Sport brakes, the 4 Series lacked the engaging driving experience expected from a BMW.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger stood out with its spacious cabin, offering ample legroom and headroom for a coupe. It provided impressive rear-seat legroom and easy access to the back seats. The Challenger also boasted 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing competitors like the Camaro and Mustang. However, its traditional rear-wheel-drive setup resulted in a large center console, and the all-wheel-drive version had a space-intrusive hump in the front passenger footwell.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series offered more front headroom and trunk space than many of its competitors, though it lagged in legroom. The rear seats were suitable for children or occasional adult use. The 4 Series' cockpit was well-designed, with an integrated infotainment touchscreen and practical storage solutions. Visibility was excellent, avoiding the bunker-like feel of some modern cars.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with the intuitive Uconnect system, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available Uconnect 8.4 added a larger screen and navigation. Higher trims included an Alpine premium stereo system. The Challenger's digital display in the instrument panel was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and steering wheel controls.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series came with the iDrive 7 infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a 5.1-inch display. The optional Live Cockpit Professional offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system was easy to navigate with the iDrive rotary controller, voice control, or the touchscreen. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with options for a head-up display and wireless phone charging.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger included standard safety features like airbags, traction control, and brake assist. Optional features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path alert. The Challenger received mixed safety ratings, with four stars in front driver’s side crash testing and a "Marginal" overall score from the IIHS.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. It came with standard driver-assist features such as lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was available through the Driving Assistance Professional Package, offering advanced features like stop-and-go traffic capability and steering assist.