2020 Dodge Charger vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Toyota Prius retained its iconic jellybean-like shape, a design optimized for aerodynamics. Over the years, Toyota made subtle changes to the styling cues within this shape, aiming to give it a more sedan-like appearance while maintaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic style continued to look contemporary, with its most revolutionary design element being the centrally located instrumentation and gauges. This unorthodox cabin design had been a defining feature since the Prius's introduction over 20 years ago.

The 2020 Dodge Charger, on the other hand, carried forward the muscle car silhouette that Dodge resurrected in 2006. The menacing headlights and gaping grille were key design elements that evolved with the 2015 facelift, which introduced a thin inlet grille and more aggressive headlights. The Charger's cabin honored its retro theme with large vintage-looking bezels housing modern digital displays. The rear-wheel-drive platform required a raised transmission tunnel, creating a cockpit-like feel for the driver and front passenger.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and battery, producing a combined 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. It came with front-wheel drive, but an all-wheel-drive variant, the Prius AWD-e, was also available. This variant employed a second electric motor for the rear wheels, operating at speeds up to 43 mph. The Prius offered smooth and confident acceleration, especially at lower speeds, with a seamless transition between electric and conventional power. It had three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power, each catering to different driving needs. The unique shifter design and the "B" mode for engine braking added to its distinctive driving experience. The Prius's low center of gravity contributed to sharper handling than expected, making it ideal for commuting.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains corresponding to its trim levels. The SXT and GT trims came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 292 horsepower in the SXT and 300 horsepower in the GT. Both engines routed power to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, with AWD available as an option. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, along with an upgraded performance suspension and active exhaust. The R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque, Brembo brakes, and launch assist. The range-topping Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody had a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivering 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The Charger provided a thrilling driving experience, with the widebody models featuring Bilstein adaptive suspension for precise cornering and Brembo brakes for excellent stopping power. The Performance Pages system allowed for extensive customization and performance monitoring.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made excellent use of its compact platform, offering deep door pockets, a large tray area between the front seats, and helpful sub-trays around the center console. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with good headroom and legroom, and driver visibility was commendable. The rear seats also provided ample space, though taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering and exiting. The Prius offered 50.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the model. This made it one of the most spacious and versatile options among hybrid and electric vehicles.

The 2020 Dodge Charger stood out among high-horsepower sedans for its generous interior space. The rear seats offered plenty of legroom, even with the front seats slid back. The driver and front passenger enjoyed well-bolstered bucket seats with ample head- and legroom. The doors featured trays and cup holders, and the center console provided quick and easy storage solutions. The Charger also had a large trunk with 16.5 cubic feet of space, which was above average for both performance sedans and large family sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench further enhanced its storage capabilities.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a sensible menu layout, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, a WiFi hotspot, and three USB ports. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable, tablet-like layout, though it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also offered satellite radio, HD Radio, a head-up display (HUD), and a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system. The top-center instrument panel, a defining feature of the Prius, included hybrid drivetrain status and other critical readouts, with many menus accessible via the steering wheel.

The 2020 Dodge Charger featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, with higher trims offering an 8.4-inch screen. Both sizes ran FCA's Uconnect system, known for its simplicity and logical menu layout. The system included Bluetooth and USB connectivity, available satellite radio, HD radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The main screen had a lower dock of icons for easy navigation, even when using CarPlay or Android Auto. The digital display screen at the center of the instrument panel provided trip computer, digital speedometer, vehicle settings, radio station, and phone call information, and presented turn-by-turn directions for the available navigation system.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front-and-rear parking sensors, and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" accolade from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though it fell short of the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2020 Dodge Charger included standard safety features such as 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. Other options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Charger's crash prevention technology earned the highest score of Superior from the IIHS, though these features were optional.