2020 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Toyota Corolla

The 2020 Dodge Charger, with its roots tracing back to 2006, showcased 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 and modern elements, with vintage-looking bezels housing digital displays and a cockpit-like feel due to the raised transmission tunnel. Trim levels ranged from the SXT to the Hellcat, each offering unique features and performance upgrades, such as the GT's 20-inch wheels and the Hellcat's widebody kit.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Corolla, particularly in SE and XSE trims, was noted for its attractive design, including sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. However, some design elements, like the hood shut line and over-styled rear bumper, were less appealing. The Corolla L, LE, and XLE offered a more subdued look, while the Corolla Hybrid provided an economical option. The SE and XSE trims featured sportier styling and performance enhancements, making them stand out in the lineup.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains, starting with the SXT and GT trims equipped 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 horsepower, while the R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower. The top-tier Hellcat Widebody came with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivering a staggering 707 horsepower. The Charger’s performance was complemented by features like Brembo brakes, adaptive suspension, and the Performance Pages system, which allowed for detailed monitoring and customization of driving dynamics.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla SE and XSE trims were powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Dynamic Shift CVT, with its mechanical first gear and ten programmed ratios, provided a smooth driving experience. The Corolla’s TNGA platform contributed to its low center of gravity and enjoyable driving dynamics. While not a sport sedan, the Corolla XSE offered predictable handling and sufficient power for an engaging drive. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 34 mpg for the XSE, with real-world driving averaging around 31.1 mpg.

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

The 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE trim included upgrades like SofTex leatherette seats with striped fabric inserts and an eight-way power driver’s seat. The front seats offered good support and a commanding driving position, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats provided decent support but had limited headroom and legroom, with no rear air conditioning vents. The Corolla’s trunk offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which was average for its class.

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, with features like Bluetooth, USB connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system’s logical menu layout and always-present dock icons made navigation straightforward, even when using smartphone integration.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla impressed with its standard infotainment package, including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The SE and XSE trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, with the XSE also offering Service Connect and Remote Connect. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access to various functions. The dynamic voice recognition in the XSE trim was particularly effective, though the JBL sound system lacked some clarity.

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’s crash prevention technology earned a Superior rating from the IIHS, though many features were optional rather than standard.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla came with the comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Corolla also added rear side-impact airbags and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The 2020 Corolla had earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with the 2021 model expected to perform similarly.