2020 Dodge Charger vs 2020 Lexus ES

The 2020 Lexus ES had evolved significantly from its earlier "boring" label. By 2020, it featured a more aggressive design, highlighted by a large spindle grille that integrated well with the car's larger proportions. The rear of the ES was more subdued, with thin taillamps and a pronounced kink at the back of the side windows. Inside, the ES offered a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials and a large infotainment screen, second only to Mercedes-Benz in interior execution. The ES 350 F Sport trim added unique exterior and interior elements, including a black mesh grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, and aluminum trim accents.

The 2020 Dodge Charger retained its muscle car roots with a modern twist. The 2015 facelift introduced a thin inlet grille and more menacing headlights, aligning with Dodge's performance identity. The Charger's cabin combined retro and modern elements, featuring large vintage-looking bezels housing digital displays. The rear-wheel-drive platform created a cockpit-like feel with a raised transmission tunnel. Trim levels ranged from the base SXT to the high-performance Hellcat, each offering unique features and visual cues.

The 2020 Lexus ES came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the ES to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with a top speed of 131 mph. The ES prioritized a comfortable and refined ride, thanks to its Dynamic Control Shocks and optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). The AVS added a Sport+ mode for enhanced performance, making the ES more engaging to drive, especially in the F Sport trim with paddle shifters.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains. The SXT and GT trims featured a 3.6-liter V6, producing 292 and 300 horsepower, respectively. The R/T trim came with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, delivering 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. The R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque, while the Hellcat Widebody featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, making 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The Charger excelled in performance, with adaptive suspension and Brembo brakes enhancing its handling and cornering capabilities. The Performance Pages system provided detailed performance data and customization options.

The 2020 Lexus ES offered a spacious cabin with ample head- and legroom in both rows. The front seats could slide back significantly without compromising rear-seat legroom. The ES featured deep door pockets, multiple storage trays, and a reasonably sized center console bin. The trunk provided 16.7 cubic feet of space, though the rear seats did not fold down, limiting cargo flexibility.

The 2020 Dodge Charger provided generous interior space, with plenty of legroom for rear-seat passengers. The front seats were well-bolstered, offering excellent head- and legroom. The Charger featured practical storage solutions, including door trays and a versatile center console. The trunk offered 16.5 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench for additional storage capacity.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, controlling either an 8-inch or 12.3-inch display. While not a touchscreen, the Remote Touch pad was intuitive once presets were set. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enhancing connectivity. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium audio system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. A head-up display was available, providing crisp graphics and customization.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8.4-inch screen available on higher trims. The Uconnect infotainment system was praised for its simplicity and logical menu layout. It included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with easy navigation between functions. The Charger also featured a digital display in the instrument panel, providing trip information, vehicle settings, and turn-by-turn navigation.

The 2020 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. Additional safety features included pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist. The ES also had a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

The 2020 Dodge Charger included standard front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. The Charger also offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The IIHS rated the Charger's crash prevention technology as Superior.