2020 Dodge Charger vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, introduced in 2017, harkened back to the E-Class from two generations prior with its rounded, smooth body. While some critics felt it was overly streamlined, the resemblance to the larger S-Class and smaller C-Class made it a recognizable and respectable member of the Mercedes family. Available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet, the E-Class catered to conservative buyers with its versatile design. The sedan, in particular, looked especially rich with the hood ornament and thin-laced chrome grille, a nod to Mercedes tradition. LED lighting added a delicate touch, and the car's proportions were visually appealing whether on 17-inch wheels or 20-inch wheels with ground effects and quad exhausts.

The cabriolet version of the E-Class showcased the fluid, creaseless form best, with a contrasting soft top that revealed a sumptuous interior. The interior, when specified correctly, featured multi-tone leathers, aluminum, and deep-polished wood. Two feet of high-res digital screens stretched across the dash, complemented by four circular air vents and a row of knurled silver toggles for climate control. The ambient lighting, available in 64 colors, added a delightful touch. The E-Class offered a place for solitude with heated armrests, massaging seats, and striking colors. Even the base model felt several cuts above other cars in its segment.

The 2020 Dodge Charger, resurrected in 2006, maintained its muscle car silhouette with menacing headlights and a gaping grille. The 2015 facelift introduced a thin inlet grille and more aggressive headlights, aligning with Dodge's identity as a modern American performance brand. The Charger's cabin blended retro and modern elements, with large vintage-looking bezels housing digital displays. The rear-wheel-drive platform required a raised transmission tunnel, creating a cockpit-like feel for the driver and front passenger.

Trim levels for the 2020 Charger included SXT, GT, R/T, and Hellcat, with sub-trims for the R/T and Hellcat versions. The SXT came standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, remote start, push-button start, power-adjustable front seats, rear parking sensors, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The GT trim added 20-inch wheels, a more pronounced lower front spoiler, rear trunk lip spoiler, and a hood scoop. Inside, the GT featured dual-zone climate control, a WiFi hotspot, HD radio, and an 8.4-inch infotainment screen. The R/T and GT shared many visual cues, but the GT had the added benefit of a V8 engine. The Charger Hellcat featured the largest engine in the lineup, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and safety features like blind-spot monitoring.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of powertrains. The E350 replaced the E300, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The revised turbo design provided quicker response, and the E350 held its gears longer regardless of driving mode. The E450, with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, delivered 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, offering a more effortless performance. The AMG E53, with a hybrid setup, produced 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, while the AMG E63 S, with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, boasted 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive was standard on most models, with rear-wheel drive available on the E350 sedan and E450 coupe/cabriolet. Fuel economy ranged from 19 to 32 mpg, depending on the powertrain and body style.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered various powertrains across its trim levels. The SXT and GT featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 292 horsepower in the SXT and 300 horsepower in the GT. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The R/T trim came with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, delivering 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, along with an upgraded performance suspension and active exhaust. The R/T Scat Pack featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, producing 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque, with Brembo high-performance disc brakes and launch assist. The Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody, with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, offered 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The widebody models featured Bilstein adaptive suspension and Brembo brakes, enhancing cornering precision and braking performance. The Performance Pages system provided detailed performance data and customizable drive modes.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a complicated COMAND infotainment system, which could be unwieldy on the car's large screens. The lack of touchscreens was a significant drawback, making it challenging to adjust settings while driving. However, the E-Class offered functional features like seat and seat climate controls on the door panels and ample space in every dimension. The coupe had a usable rear seat with its own window controls, and the wagon included a rear-facing jump seat for small children. The digital dash, when set up properly, provided clear and high-resolution gauges.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered ample interior space, with plenty of legroom in the rear seats. The driver and front passenger enjoyed well-bolstered front bucket seats and generous head- and legroom. The doors featured helpful trays and cup holders, and the center console provided quick and easy storage solutions. The Charger also boasted a large trunk with 16.5 cubic feet of space, above average for both performance sedans and large family sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench further increased storage capacity.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured advanced technology, including a semi-automated driving system that could steer itself, change lanes, and sense obstacles. The Driver Assistance Package included a comprehensive list of features. The V2X system communicated with nearby Mercedes models about road hazards. The dash could be reconfigured in three designs, with multiple display options for the instrument panel. Standard tech included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Burmester stereo offered surround-sound modes, and the front camera activated automatically when parking. The Energizing Comfort Package adjusted climate settings and lighting to match preset moods. AMG models included a Track Pace app for race track guidance.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an 8.4-inch screen available on higher trims. The Uconnect system featured Bluetooth, USB connectivity, satellite radio, HD radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system's simplicity and logical menu layout made it user-friendly. The digital display screen in the instrument panel provided easy access to trip computer, digital speedometer, vehicle settings, radio station, and phone call information. It also presented turn-by-turn directions for the available navigation system.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon received a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The coupe and cabriolet models were not tested but were considered equally safe. The E-Class featured innovative safety technologies like Pre-Safe Sound, which played a "pink noise" during a crash to protect eardrums, and side bolsters that inflated during a side collision. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 14 additional driver-assist technologies.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. Available safety features included forward-collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beams. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rain-sensing windshield wipers were also available. The Charger's crash prevention technology earned the highest score of Superior from the IIHS, but many of these features were optional.