2022 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Chrysler 300

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, which had not significantly changed since its major facelift in 2014. Its old-school "three-box design" gave it a straightforward profile that was easy to recognize. The car's appearance was reminiscent of a bygone era, yet it managed to avoid the overly retro look seen in some other models. From the base 300 trim to the high-end 300S, the Chrysler 300 maintained a dignified presence that could turn heads at any valet stand.

The 2021 model featured bi-xenon halogen projector lamps with LED driving lamps on the lower trims, while higher trims like the Touring L and 300S offered adaptive HID lamps. The grille options varied between black and chrome, depending on the package and trim. Wheel sizes ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base model to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S. Inside, the Chrysler 300 offered a luxurious experience with cloth upholstery on the base model and Nappa leather on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard on the top trims, with heated rear seats available as an option.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, on the other hand, had been running on essentially the same platform since 2005, shared with the Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300. The Charger underwent significant updates in 2011 and 2015, with the latter giving it a more modern and menacing look. While the exterior was updated, the interior felt dated with thick bezels and chunky buttons, contrasting with the minimalist designs of newer models. However, the cabin's ease of use made up for its lack of modernity.

The 2022 Charger came in various trims, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat and Jailbreak models. The SXT and GT trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while higher trims upgraded to an 8.4-inch screen. The Charger offered a range of performance enhancements, including sport-tuned suspension and performance tires on the GT trim, and high-performance brakes and launch control on the R/T Scat Pack. The Hellcat variants featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, making them true performance machines.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for high-speed thrills but offered respectable performance. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine produced 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L trims, while the 300S trim offered 300 hp and 264 lb-ft. The 300S also had an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters available on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option on the V6 models.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a broader range of performance options. The SXT and GT models featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque in the base form, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the AWD and GT trims. The R/T trim came with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, delivering 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. The R/T Scat Pack upped the ante with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, producing 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat variants featured a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, with the Hellcat producing 717 hp and 650 lb-ft, the Redeye 797 hp and 707 lb-ft, and the Jailbreak an astonishing 807 hp.

All Charger engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard across the board. The Hellcat variants offered incredible acceleration, with the Hellcat and Redeye models sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. The Widebody setup on the Hellcat improved handling and allowed for better power distribution, making it a well-rounded performance machine.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous interior space, with 41.8 inches of front legroom and 40.1 inches in the rear. This made it competitive with luxury sedans like the Lexus ES350 and Toyota Avalon. The 300 provided 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. Trunk space was also ample, with 16.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity, enough to fit four large suitcases.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, while a large sedan, felt more intimate due to its high center console and performance bucket seats. Both rows offered plenty of legroom, but headroom was limited, especially in the rear seats. The Charger had 16.5 cubic feet of trunk space, but the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger offered sports-car performance with the practicality of four doors and a usable trunk.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. The system was intuitive, with easy-to-read clocks and prominent knobs for scrolling. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof for $3,495.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its ease of use. Higher trims featured an 8.4-inch screen with larger icons. Both screens included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology was user-friendly and blended well with conventional controls.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but scored "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with five stars for the combined side barrier and side pole crash test. Standard safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available in higher trims and packages.

The 2022 Dodge Charger lagged in standard safety features, offering only a backup camera and rear parking sensors. Optional features included forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.