2021 Dodge Charger vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced as a new model the previous year, marked a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup by offering standard front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, lacking the utility of its five-door sportback sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It was positioned as an affordable entry-level BMW, appealing to those aspiring to own a vehicle with the iconic kidney-shaped grille and blue-and-white roundel. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 2021 model year saw the addition of standard equipment, a sport automatic transmission limited to the M Sport Package or M235i, and a new adaptive damping suspension. The test car, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with the M Sport Package, Premium Package, M double-spoke alloy wheels, extra-cost paint, leather upholstery, and wireless smartphone charging, with an MSRP of $48,595.

The design of the 2 Series Gran Coupe faced challenges due to its front-drive platform, but BMW employed visual tricks like large LED headlights, grilles, and air intakes to mitigate the perception of excessive front overhang. The cabin was pulled back to improve the dashboard-to-axle ratio, and the tapering roofline extended the car's appearance, culminating in a busy rear end inspired by BMW's Sports Activity Coupes. Inside, the Gran Coupe adhered to modern BMW design with geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The materials were upscale, with metallic trim adding contrast, and the optional leather was appealing. Despite being an entry-level model, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, when equipped with features like those in the test car, did not look or feel like a basic BMW.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, in its seventh generation since 2011, continued to be a popular choice among buyers, thanks to its wide range of variants, including the SXT, SXT AWD, GT, GT AWD, R/T, Scat Pack, Scat Pack Widebody, SRT Hellcat, and SRT Hellcat Redeye. The test vehicle was the top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye. Dodge intentionally kept the exterior differentiation between models minimal, creating an "if you know, you know" appeal for its "brotherhood of muscle" customers. The Charger was available in regular and widebody formats, with the latter offering a more athletic stance. The 2021 SRT Hellcat Redeye featured a functional performance hood that could be optioned in Satin Black. The Charger offered a variety of tire, wheel, brake, and exterior color options, with 18 different wheel options across all trims and 13 paint jobs with unique names like Hellraisin and Frostbite.

The Charger's design remained consistent over the years, making it difficult for casual observers to determine the model's age. While the interior had been updated with advancing technology, it still lacked comfort and convenience features. The fit and finish improved over time, but the gauge cluster and climate controls revealed the model's age. The interior featured a fair amount of hard plastic and rubberized surfaces, resembling the utilitarian Jeep Wrangler more than the plush Ram 1500. Cloth seats were standard on most trims, with Nappa leather available on higher trims. The Charger offered either a six-way or eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with heated and ventilated seats available on more expensive trims. While the base price was under $40,000, some models exceeded $70,000, leading to expectations of more premium accommodations and technology.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe raised questions about whether a front-drive platform could uphold the brand's "ultimate driving machine" reputation. While some critics, like George Kennedy, were skeptical, others found the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe comparable to the revered Volkswagen GTI, both featuring a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The BMW offered optional all-wheel drive, enhancing its performance on various road surfaces. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe delivered a zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of six seconds, powered by a turbocharged inline-four engine paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and performance-enhancing technology. The M Sport Package added M Sport steering, providing a swift, sharp, and direct driving experience. The suspension was firm but manageable, and the car felt glued to the road, though the all-season run-flat tires squealed at the limit of adhesion. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe averaged 27.9 mpg, surpassing the EPA's estimate of 27 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a range of models with varying powertrains. The Charger SXT, SXT AWD, GT, and GT AWD featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. The Charger R/T boasted a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, producing 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, with a 1,000-pound towing capacity. The Charger Scat Pack models housed a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine, generating 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Charger SRT Hellcat featured a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine, producing 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye offered a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V8 engine, delivering 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the SRT Hellcat Redeye's powertrain was manageable and versatile, though it was the least fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 12 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg combined. The Charger offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on select models. Configurable drive modes and Performance Pages were available on higher trims, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two young and limber individuals, with sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats providing comfort. Storage was adequate for typical items, though entry and exit were challenging due to the car's low-slung design. The Gran Coupe's body style, with two extra doors and a back seat, was less convincing, as rear-seat access was difficult, and space was limited. The traditional trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a generous storage compartment under the load floor. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added utility, but the car lacked the full sportback treatment seen in the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The 2021 Dodge Charger functioned well as a family car, balancing speed and power with spacious accommodations. The interior technology was dated but functional, with instrument clusters varying by model. The steering wheel offered easy-to-reach controls, and paddle shifters were available on all but the base model. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat expanded the already-spacious trunk for additional storage. Compared to other large cars, the Charger offered average cargo space.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came equipped with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between traditional round analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro, with a fully digital 10.25-inch display, paired with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system using BMW's iDrive 7.0 technology. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, and connected services, with over-the-air updates. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options. The car featured a premium sound system with ten speakers, and Gesture Control was available for stereo volume and radio station changes. A full-color head-up display was also included, though it was less effective with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Dodge Charger offered standard features like push-button start, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a six-speaker audio system, four USB ports, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, keyless entry, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. Available upgrades included a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, premium audio systems, HD Radio, navigation, and a WiFi hotspot. The Uconnect infotainment system was easy to navigate, though some functions were buried in menus. The latest version of Uconnect was not yet available on the Charger, but it addressed many issues and featured a larger screen in other Dodge models.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a new Driving Assistance Package, adding adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature. The test car included the Active Driving Assistant, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning, and a speed limit information system. The lane-keeping assistance was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, though it missed a Top Safety Pick due to poor or marginal headlight ratings and less-than-perfect vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.

The 2021 Dodge Charger had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the similar 2020 model received mostly "Good" ratings, with "Poor" marks for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Charger a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included brake assist, electronic stability control, hill start assist, rear park assist, rain brake support, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic headlights were available on select models.