2020 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Subaru Legacy

The 2020 Dodge Charger, with its roots tracing back to 2006, carried a modern muscle car silhouette. By 2015, it had undergone a significant facelift, featuring a thin inlet grille and more aggressive headlights, aligning with Dodge's performance identity. Inside, the Charger blended retro themes with modern touches, such as vintage-looking bezels housing digital displays. The RWD platform necessitated a raised transmission tunnel, creating a cockpit-like feel. Trim levels ranged from the SXT to the Hellcat, each adding unique features and performance upgrades, including larger wheels, dual-zone climate control, and advanced infotainment systems.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy, a member of the midsize-sedan club, offered six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT. The Legacy shared much of its design and mechanics with the Subaru Outback, featuring a similar fascia, headlight design, and dashboard setup. For 2021, Subaru added standard steering-responsive LED headlights and high-beam assist. The Legacy's design was more subdued compared to its competitors but stayed true to Subaru's branding. It featured standard 17-inch steel wheels, with options for alloy and machine-finished wheels, and offered power-folding mirrors, a power moonroof, and an All-Weather Package.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains. The SXT and GT trims came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 292 hp in the SXT and 300 hp in the GT. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with AWD available as an option. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, delivering 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, along with an upgraded performance suspension and active exhaust. The R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, making 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, and included Brembo brakes and launch assist. The top-tier Hellcat Widebody had a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, producing 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Charger’s Performance Pages allowed drivers to monitor and customize various performance aspects, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy offered two engine options. The Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims were powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. The Limited XT and Touring XT trims featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivering 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a CVT. AWD was standard across all trims, providing stability over rough terrain. The 2.5-liter engine achieved an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the turbocharged engine earned 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. The Legacy’s steering was well-balanced, though it required lane-centering technology for better highway stability.

The 2020 Dodge Charger stood out among high-horsepower sedans for its spacious interior. The rear seats offered ample legroom, and the front bucket seats were well-bolstered with plenty of head- and legroom. The Charger featured practical storage solutions, including door trays, cup holders, and a large center console. Its trunk provided 16.5 cubic feet of space, surpassing many performance sedans and large family sedans, with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench for additional storage.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy focused on comfort, featuring a sound-insulation windshield to reduce noise. The seats were redesigned for a more natural sitting position, with power-adjustable options available on higher trims. The Legacy offered generous back seat room, making it comfortable for adults on long trips. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were available. However, the Legacy’s trunk space was limited to 15.1 cubic feet, a trade-off for the extra legroom in the second row.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with higher trims featuring an 8.4-inch screen. Both screens ran the Uconnect system, known for its simplicity and ease of use. The system included Bluetooth, USB connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The digital display in the instrument panel provided easy access to various functions, including trip information and navigation.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy featured dual 7-inch displays on the base model, with an 11.6-inch screen standard on higher trims. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple USB ports. Higher trims added features like Subaru Starlink Connected Services, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The 11.6-inch screen had a user-friendly interface, though its design was less sophisticated compared to the vehicle’s overall aesthetic.

The 2020 Dodge Charger included standard safety features such as 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’s crash prevention technology earned a Superior rating from the IIHS, though many features were optional rather than standard.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy excelled in safety, earning top scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Subaru EyeSight technology, which included adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane departure warning. Additional features like reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were available. The Legacy’s safety system was comprehensive, though some alerts could be overly sensitive.