2021 Dodge Charger vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra, last redesigned in 2017 and restyled in 2019, remained visually unchanged for the 2020 model year. The previous year's restyle introduced a geometric-influenced appearance, setting the stage for the dramatically angular styling of the all-new 2021 Elantra. Available in six versions—SE, SEL, Value Edition, Eco, Limited, and Sport—the Elantra's price ranged from $19,300 to $24,150. The Limited test vehicle, equipped with the Ultimate Package and floor mats, brought the total to $27,630, including the $975 destination charge. The Elantra GT hatchback was also available for 2020.

A black paint job highlighted the Elantra’s angular headlight, fog light, and wheel designs, contrasting with the chrome grille, beltline, and logo detailing. The restyled exterior also saw an interior update, adding a more upscale look with silver trim on various elements. However, the presence of hard and glossy plastic reminded occupants that it was still a mainstream compact car.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, in its seventh generation since 2011 with significant updates in 2014, continued to be popular due to its numerous variants: SXT, SXT AWD, GT, GT AWD, R/T, Scat Pack, Scat Pack Widebody, SRT Hellcat, and SRT Hellcat Redeye. The top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye was the test vehicle for this review. Dodge's design philosophy ensured minimal differentiation between models, giving a subtle nod to the "brotherhood of muscle." The Charger was available in regular and widebody formats, with the latter adding 3.5 inches to the car's width, enhancing its athletic stance.

The Charger offered a plethora of tire, wheel, brake, and exterior color options. The base SXT model came with 17-inch wheels, while the R/T had six different 20-inch wheel options. Red brake calipers and performance or all-season tires were available for most models. Thirteen paint jobs with names like Hellraisin, Triple Nickel, and Frostbite added to the car's appeal. Standard halogen projector headlights with LED accents could be upgraded to HID projector lights. Despite its decade-old design, the Charger maintained a consistent look, which could be both an advantage and a drawback.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured a base 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), replacing the previous six-speed automatic. The CVT, standard with SE trim, contributed to a $1,100 price increase from the previous year. All Elantra models were front-wheel drive. The Elantra Eco had a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 128 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). It achieved 36 mpg in combined driving. The Elantra Sport, with a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, delivered 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, featuring an independent rear suspension for improved handling.

The Elantra Limited test car, with its 2.0-liter engine and new CVT, provided a satisfactory driving experience. The CVT, dubbed "Intelligent Variable Transmission," simulated gear shifts effectively. However, real-world fuel efficiency fell short, averaging 29.3 mpg compared to the expected 34 mpg. The torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride quality, making the Elantra feel unsettled on uneven surfaces. The Elantra Sport's independent rear suspension offered a superior ride and handling experience.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a range of engines. The SXT, SXT AWD, GT, and GT AWD models featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 300 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The R/T model had a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine producing 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, with a 1,000-pound towing capacity. The Scat Pack models boasted a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine delivering 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque.

The SRT Hellcat featured a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine with 717 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye had a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V8 engine producing 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the Redeye's engine was manageable and versatile, though it was the least fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 12 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg combined. The Charger offered a connected driving experience with configurable drive modes and Performance Pages for SRT models. The automatic transmission provided smooth upshifts but could be clunky during downshifts in high-performance scenarios.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra was among the roomier compact cars, comfortably accommodating four adults, with a fifth person squeezed in for short trips. The Limited test car featured power driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding center console armrest. All Elantras included a front passenger's seat-height adjuster and a dual-zone automatic climate control system with a Clean Air ionizer and automatic defogging system. Heated front seats were available on all but the SE and SEL trims. Interior storage was adequate, and the trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of space, nearly matching some midsize sedans. A thoughtful touch was the interior grab handle inside the trunk lid.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a four-door, five-passenger sedan, balanced speed and power with family-friendly features. The instrument cluster varied by model, with speedometers ranging from 140 mph to 220 mph. The steering wheel provided easy access to in-car functions, with paddle shifters available on all but the base model. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat expanded the already-spacious trunk for additional storage. Compared to other large cars, the Charger had average cargo space.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The base SE trim had a 5-inch screen, while the SEL featured a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Value Edition included a complimentary subscription to Blue Link Connected Car and Remote plans for three years. The Limited trim added wireless smartphone charging and a premium Infinity sound system. The Ultimate Package increased the touchscreen size to 8 inches and added navigation and Blue Link Guidance service. The Sport trim offered similar upgrades, packaged differently. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen and shortcut buttons for easy navigation. The Infinity sound system impressed with its depth of sound.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with basic standard features, including push-button start, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a six-speaker audio system, four USB ports, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, keyless entry, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Available features included a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, premium audio systems, HD Radio, navigation, and a WiFi hot spot. The Uconnect infotainment system was easy to navigate, though some functions were buried in menus. The latest version of Uconnect, available in other Dodge models, addressed these issues with a larger screen.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured Hyundai Smart Sense, a collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), as standard on all trims. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Starting with SEL trim, the Elantra added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Limited and Sport trims included full LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The Ultimate Package for the Limited trim added adaptive cruise control, a pedestrian detection system, and Safe Exit Assist. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS when equipped with full LED headlights and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Dodge Charger had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received mostly "Good" ratings for crashworthiness and "Poor" marks for headlights. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Charger a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included brake assist, electronic stability control, hill start assist, rear park assist, rain brake support, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic headlights were available on some models.