2020 Dodge Challenger vs 2020 Porsche 911

The 2020 Porsche 911 was a head-turner in Miami, reminiscent of the car driven by Will Smith in "Bad Boys For Life." Renting a dark blue 2020 Carrera S with only 2,000 miles on the clock was an unexpected delight. The new 992 model's design enhancements, such as the widebody styling, vertical slats on the engine cover, and a single thin taillight wrapping around the back, made it stand out. The 911's athletic stance and fluid shapes were complemented by its low, sloping roof and large tires, making it a perfect blend of elegance and performance.

Inside, the 911 maintained its minimalist charm with a mix of analog and digital elements. The cabin could be customized with luxurious materials, but the base interior felt somewhat cheap for its price. Despite this, the 911's overall design and functionality, including its easy-to-use infotainment system and supportive front seats, made it a joy to drive and a sight to behold.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger retained its classic muscle car appeal, with a design that paid homage to its 1970s predecessor. The updated model featured a menacing front grille and recessed headlights, giving it a powerful presence. Inside, the Challenger's cockpit was designed to envelop the driver, with a blend of modern infotainment and vintage-looking bezels. The spacious cabin provided ample legroom and headroom, making it more comfortable than its competitors.

Dodge offered the Challenger in nine trims, each catering to different performance preferences. From the base SXT with its 18-inch wheels and 7-inch touchscreen to the high-performance Hellcat Redeye with its 797 hp engine, there was a Challenger for every type of driver. The retro styling and large rear pillars did limit visibility, but the overall design and functionality of the Challenger made it a versatile and appealing choice for muscle car enthusiasts.

The 2020 Porsche 911 was a performance marvel, with its unbendable chassis and rear-engine layout providing immense grip and agility. The 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 models featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine producing 379 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. The Carrera S and 4S models upped the ante with 443 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The 911's eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (PDK) was standard, with a seven-speed manual available for the S and 4S models. The 911's performance was further enhanced by features like the Sport Chrono package, dynamic engine mounts, and staggered-diameter tires.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger offered a range of powerful engines, starting with the 3.6-liter V6 in the SXT and GT trims, producing 305 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque with the manual transmission, or 372 hp and 400 lb-ft with the automatic. The R/T Scat Pack upgraded to a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat models boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, producing 717 hp and 656 lb-ft of torque, while the Hellcat Redeye cranked it up to 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. The Challenger's performance was further enhanced by features like launch control, adaptive suspension, and the SRT Performance Pages for customizable driving modes.

The 2020 Porsche 911 offered a comfortable and supportive driving experience with its well-designed front seats and large windows for easy visibility. The cabin's simplicity allowed drivers to focus on the road, with a few toggle switches for essential functions. The 911 provided 5 cubic feet of cargo space in the front trunk and an additional 9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The convertible model's soft-top could be raised or lowered in 12 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph, adding to its practicality.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger excelled in interior space, offering a spacious cabin with plenty of legroom and headroom for a coupe. The rear seats were accessible via a quick-release latch, and the Challenger provided an impressive 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The traditional rear-wheel-drive setup resulted in a large center console, but helpful storage cubbies in the doors compensated for the limited console space. The AWD models had additional drivetrain components that slightly reduced front passenger footwell space.

The 2020 Porsche 911 came standard with navigation, Apple CarPlay (wireless), Android Auto, and high-resolution touchscreens. Porsche Connect provided remote functions and onboard LTE WiFi. However, the base stereo system was underwhelming, and many desirable features like heated seats, power-folding mirrors, and a Bose stereo were part of the Premium package. Advanced tech options included a night-vision camera, Porsche InnoDrive, and various performance-enhancing features like dynamic engine mounts and tire temperature sensors.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the intuitive Uconnect interface, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The available Uconnect 8.4 system offered a larger screen and Garmin-based navigation. Higher trims included an Alpine premium stereo system with a 276-watt digital amplifier. The Challenger also had a digital display in the instrument panel, controlled by large directional pad buttons on the steering wheel, ensuring ease of use while driving.

The 2020 Porsche 911 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection and front/rear parking sensors. Optional features were lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger came with standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, brake assist, and a child-seat anchoring system. The optional technology group added forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. Other optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path alert, and the ParkSense reverse sensing system. The Challenger earned four out of five stars in front driver’s side crash testing by the NHTSA, five stars for front passenger side testing, and four stars for rollover testing. The IIHS gave it a "Good" rating in many crash tests but a "Marginal" overall score.