2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2020 Dodge Charger

The 2020 Dodge Charger, with its roots tracing back to 2006, carried a modern muscle car silhouette. The 2015 facelift introduced a thin inlet grille and more aggressive headlights, enhancing its menacing look. Inside, the Charger blended retro themes with modern touches, featuring large vintage-looking bezels housing digital displays. The raised transmission tunnel and tall center console created a cockpit-like feel for the driver and front passenger. Trim levels ranged from the base SXT to the high-performance Hellcat, each offering unique features and visual cues.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation introduced in 2017, embraced a design philosophy called "sensual purity." This model featured smoother, more fluid lines compared to its predecessor, with new bumpers, exhaust tips, and wheels. The standing hood ornament was removed, aligning with the popular Sport package's aesthetic. The E-Class maintained its elegant and reserved exterior, while the AMG models added a touch of aggression with vertical grille slats and larger wheels. Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxurious materials and advanced technology, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber accents.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains to suit different driving preferences. The SXT and GT trims came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 292 and 300 horsepower, respectively. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, while the R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Hellcat model packed a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivering a staggering 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Charger’s performance was complemented by features like Brembo brakes, adaptive suspension, and the Performance Pages system for detailed performance monitoring.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains for its high-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, using a 48-volt electrical system to provide an additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque for brief periods. The base E350 featured a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, while the AMG E53 added a second turbo to the E450's engine, producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E63 S, with its 4.0-liter V8, delivered 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. The E-Class offered a balance of performance and comfort, with advanced suspension systems and driving assists enhancing its handling and ride quality.

The 2020 Dodge Charger stood out for its spacious interior, offering ample legroom for rear passengers and well-bolstered front bucket seats. The cabin featured practical storage solutions, including door trays, cup holders, and a large center console. The Charger also boasted a generous 16.5 cubic feet of trunk space, with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench for additional storage flexibility.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class provided a luxurious and spacious cabin for four adults, with supportive cushions and ample headroom and legroom. The sedan offered 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the coupe and convertible had slightly less due to their design. The wagon variant provided up to 64 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded. The E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with touchpads on the steering wheel, separate climate controls, and seat adjustments on the doors, enhancing user-friendliness.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while higher trims featured an 8.4-inch screen. Both sizes ran the user-friendly Uconnect system, offering Bluetooth, USB connectivity, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system's logical menu layout and persistent dock icons made it easy to navigate between functions.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a touch-sensitive main screen, natural voice processing, and online searches. The system included advanced features like live camera feeds with overlay arrows for navigation and massaging seats with side bolsters. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless, the E-Class offered a wireless phone charger and 4G WiFi. The instrument cluster could display information in various customizable formats, adding to the car's high-tech appeal.

The 2020 Dodge Charger included standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Charger earned a Superior rating for its crash prevention technology from the IIHS.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class excelled in safety, with the sedan and wagon receiving a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features encompassed a range of advanced driver-assist systems, some of which were unique to Mercedes.