2020 Dodge Charger vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Dodge Charger was a modern embodiment of the classic muscle car, featuring a bold design with menacing headlights and a distinctive grille. The 2015 facelift introduced a sleeker front with a thin inlet and enhanced the aggressive look of the headlights. Inside, the Charger maintained a retro theme with a blend of vintage and modern elements, such as large bezels housing digital displays. The rear-wheel-drive platform contributed to a cockpit-like feel, with a raised transmission tunnel and a tall center console. The Charger offered various trims, including the SXT, GT, R/T, and Hellcat, each with unique features and performance enhancements.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima shared design elements with other Nissan models, featuring the brand's V-Motion grille and jewel-like LED headlights. Its floating-roof design and quad-tip exhaust finishers added to its sporty appearance. The Maxima was available in S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum trims, with the Platinum offering premium features. The interior was spacious, with a thick center console and a driver-focused infotainment screen. While the Maxima provided ample headroom, it lagged behind competitors in legroom and cargo space. Despite this, it managed to handle everyday cargo and seating needs effectively.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 engine in the SXT and GT trims, producing 292 and 300 horsepower, respectively. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, while the R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower. The top-tier Hellcat model came with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivering an impressive 707 horsepower. The Charger was known for its performance capabilities, with features like Brembo brakes and adaptive suspension enhancing its handling. The Performance Pages system allowed drivers to customize and monitor various performance aspects.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a CVT, generating 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque. While marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima excelled as a comfortable cruiser rather than a performance vehicle. It offered a smooth ride, with active noise cancellation and enhancement features in higher trims. The Maxima's front-wheel-drive setup and lack of all-wheel drive limited its sporty appeal. It achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, comparable to other vehicles in its class. The Maxima did not offer a hybrid option, unlike some competitors.

The 2020 Dodge Charger provided ample interior space, with generous legroom for rear passengers and well-bolstered front seats. The cabin featured practical storage solutions, including door trays and a spacious center console. The Charger's trunk offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing many performance sedans and large family sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench allowed for additional storage flexibility.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima offered a spacious cabin, though the thick center console limited the feeling of openness. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, but the Maxima fell short in legroom compared to rivals like the Honda Accord and Toyota Avalon. It provided more headroom than competitors, with up to 39.4 inches available. The Maxima's trunk had 14.3 cubic feet of space, less than the Sonata, Avalon, and Accord. Despite these limitations, the Maxima managed to accommodate everyday cargo and seating needs effectively.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with higher trims featuring an 8.4-inch screen. The Uconnect system was praised for its simplicity and ease of use, offering Bluetooth, USB connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system's logical menu layout and docked icons allowed for seamless navigation between functions. The digital display in the instrument panel provided essential information and turn-by-turn directions for the available navigation system.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen on SV-and-up trims, with a standard 7-inch driver information display. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the system's design was not the most modern. The Maxima offered a Bose Premium Audio system and an Around View Monitor camera system for enhanced parking assistance. Keyless entry and USB ports in the front and rear made charging devices convenient.

The 2020 Dodge Charger included standard safety features such as front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Charger's crash prevention technology received a Superior rating from the IIHS, though many features were optional rather than standard.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came with Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard across all trims, offering a comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assist technologies. Standard features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Maxima performed well in IIHS and NHTSA safety tests, with its front crash prevention earning a Superior rating. The LATCH system and ample hip room allowed for easy installation of child safety seats.