2020 Toyota Camry vs 2021 Dodge Charger

The 2020 Toyota Camry had a renewed focus on quality and appeal, aiming to reclaim its status as a top contender in the sedan market. It featured expressive styling, with a bold front fascia and taut lines that made it the sportiest Camry yet. The design borrowed cues from BMW, with a character line across the doors and an upturned kink of the C-pillar. Inside, the Camry used high-quality materials, with even the lower trims feeling upscale. The TRD model added sporty red trim accents, while higher trims offered leather and wood, aligning with entry-level Lexus standards. Despite not being a luxury or sport sedan, the Camry's starting price of $25,380 made it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and reliable vehicle.

The 2021 Dodge Charger continued to captivate buyers with its wide range of variants, from the SXT to the powerful SRT Hellcat Redeye. The Charger maintained its muscular design, with widebody options enhancing its athletic stance. The interior, though updated over the years, still lacked some comfort and convenience features, with hard plastics and rubberized surfaces reminiscent of the utilitarian Jeep Wrangler. Cloth seats were standard, with Nappa leather available on higher trims. Despite its dated technology, the Charger offered a spacious cabin and trunk, making it a practical choice for families seeking a blend of power and functionality.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered a variety of powertrains, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and a 3.5-liter V6 producing 301 horsepower. The V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience, though it lacked excitement in the TRD model. The four-cylinder engine, while less powerful, offered a lighter front end and better steering feel, especially in the sporty XSE trim. The Camry also introduced an all-wheel-drive option, enhancing traction in slippery conditions without significantly impacting fuel economy. The front-drive Camry achieved an EPA combined fuel economy rating of 31 mpg, while the V6 models managed 26 mpg.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a range of engines from a 3.6-liter V6 with 300 horsepower to the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat Redeye, delivering an impressive 797 horsepower. The Charger provided a connected driving experience, with configurable drive modes and a Performance Pages function for SRT models. Despite its power, the Charger maintained manageable handling, even in high-performance variants. However, the SRT Hellcat Redeye's powertrain was the least fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 15 mpg combined. The Charger offered no manual transmission options, but its automatic transmission delivered smooth upshifts and a connected driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Camry provided a user-friendly driving experience, with most controls easily accessible. The front seats offered increased legroom and hip room, while the rear seat and trunk space were slightly reduced compared to competitors. The Camry's trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Honda Civic. The addition of all-wheel drive did not compromise interior space, maintaining the same rear seat and trunk dimensions as front-drive models.

The 2021 Dodge Charger functioned well as a family car, offering a spacious back seat and comfortable accommodations. 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, though paddle shifters could be accidentally engaged during spirited driving. The Charger featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, expanding the trunk space for additional storage. Compared to other large cars, the Charger offered average cargo space.

The 2020 Toyota Camry included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with Amazon Alexa compatibility and a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system, though functional, felt dated, with low-resolution graphics. The Camry offered a 7-inch standard touchscreen, with an optional 8-inch upgrade. USB-A ports were available for phone connectivity, and a Qi wireless charging pad was optional. Higher trims featured a 7-inch multi-information display and an optional 10-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with standard features like push-button start, a rearview camera, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Available upgrades included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, premium audio systems, and a WiFi hotspot. The Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly, though some functions were buried in menus. The Charger lacked a head-up display, making navigation less convenient. The latest version of Uconnect was not yet available, leaving the Charger feeling lower-tech compared to other Dodge models.

The 2020 Toyota Camry featured Toyota Safety Sense, including a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. A one-year trial of Safety Connect was included, with blind-spot monitoring optional. The Camry earned a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. A recall for leaking engine coolant affected some models.

The 2021 Dodge Charger received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included brake assist, electronic stability control, and rear park assist. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning were available on select models. The 2020 model, structurally similar to the 2021 version, received "Good" crashworthiness ratings but "Poor" marks for headlights from the IIHS.