2021 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Subaru WRX

The 2021 Dodge Charger, in its seventh generation since 2011, continued to captivate buyers with its diverse range of variants, including the SXT, GT, R/T, Scat Pack, and the high-performance SRT Hellcat and SRT Hellcat Redeye. The top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye, with its widebody format and functional performance hood, stood out with its athletic stance and distinctive Hellcat badging. Despite the various models, the Charger maintained a consistent design, making it difficult for casual observers to distinguish between different trims or model years. This design consistency, while appealing to some, also highlighted the car's decade-old aesthetic.

Inside, the Charger had seen updates over the years, but it still lacked in comfort and convenience features compared to its competitors. The fit and finish had improved, yet the presence of hard plastics and rubberized surfaces gave it a utilitarian feel, more akin to a Jeep Wrangler than a plush Ram 1500. Cloth seats were standard on most trims, with Nappa leather available on higher-end models. The interior's dated technology and design were evident, especially in the gauge cluster and climate controls, which betrayed the car's age. While the Charger offered a spacious cabin and trunk, the higher price tags of some models demanded more premium accommodations and technology.

The 2021 Subaru WRX, often criticized for its adolescent aesthetic, presented a more subdued look compared to its racier sibling, the WRX STI. The WRX's wedge-like front end and short trunk lid gave it a speedy appearance, even when stationary. Aerodynamic bodywork and a functional hood scoop added to its sporty look. Inside, the WRX's cockpit was function-first, with a design reminiscent of other Subaru compact cars from the past decade. The fit and finish lagged behind competitors like the VW GTI and Honda Civic Si, with an abundance of hard plastics contributing to its less refined reputation.

The WRX came in Base, Premium, and Limited trims. The base model featured 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, manual seats, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium trim added 18-inch wheels, heated seats, and a larger 7-inch infotainment screen, with the option for an automatic transmission and Subaru's EyeSight driver assistance features. The range-topping Limited trim offered leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and adaptive LED headlights, with an optional package including navigation and a premium stereo. For more powerful engine options and performance upgrades, buyers had to look to the WRX STI.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a range of engines to suit different driving preferences. The SXT, SXT AWD, GT, and GT AWD models were powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain was the most fuel-efficient option for Charger buyers. The R/T model featured a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, producing 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds.

The Charger Scat Pack models boasted a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine, generating 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat variant came with a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8, offering 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The top-of-the-line SRT Hellcat Redeye featured a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V8, producing an impressive 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. Despite its high output, the Redeye's powertrain was manageable and versatile, capable of both high-speed performance and smooth city driving. However, 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 a connected driving experience with configurable drive modes and Performance Pages for in-depth vehicle settings adjustments. While the automatic transmission provided smooth upshifts, it could be clunky during downshifts, especially under heavy braking. The car's braking performance was adequate for street driving but softer than ideal for track use.

The 2021 Subaru WRX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Buyers could choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite being more powerful than rivals like the Civic Si and VW GTI, the WRX required precise rev management to maximize performance. The CVT, though not ideal for driving enthusiasts, kept the revs in the powerband effectively with its paddle shifters.

The manual transmission, however, was a letdown with a vague clutch feel, making frequent shifting a challenge. The WRX STI offered a more precise manual transmission, but the best experience was found in the limited-edition 2019 WRX STI S209, which featured a high-performance clutch and a mechanical six-speed manual. The WRX also included Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring, enhancing cornering precision. While the WRX provided well-weighted steering and a thrilling driving experience on winding roads, its stiff ride was less comfortable compared to the Civic Si and GTI.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a four-door, five-passenger sedan, balanced speed and power with family-friendly features. The spacious back seat and comfortable accommodations made it a practical choice for families. The instrument cluster varied by model, with speedometers ranging from 140 mph to 220 mph, reflecting the car's top speed. The steering wheel was functional, with easy-to-reach buttons for in-car functions, and paddle shifters were available on all but the base model.

The Charger offered a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, expanding the already spacious trunk for additional storage. Compared to other large cars, the Charger had average cargo space. However, the interior technology and design felt dated, with hard plastics and rubberized surfaces giving it a utilitarian feel. The higher trim levels offered more premium materials, but the overall interior quality lagged behind competitors.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a conventional sedan layout with a three-box design. The trunk provided up to 12 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Civic Si coupe but less than the sedan and significantly less than the VW GTI. The WRX's traditional sedan layout offered decent interior space, but its age showed in the lack of modern interior packaging solutions. The door bottle-holders were not accommodating for larger water bottles, and the center console cupholders could obstruct shifting with the manual transmission.

The WRX provided a comfortable driving position with excellent visibility. The center console offered decent storage space, and the rear seats could accommodate four adults comfortably. The sedan layout provided more practicality compared to a coupe or sports car, but the interior design and materials felt dated.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with basic standard features, including 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 features included a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, premium audio systems, HD Radio, navigation, and a WiFi hotspot.

The Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly but had some functions buried in menus. The latest version of Uconnect, available in other Dodge models, addressed these issues with a larger screen, but it was not yet available on the Charger. The lack of a head-up display in higher trims made navigation less convenient, and the interchangeable switchgear contributed to a lower-tech feel.

The 2021 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a sensible layout and easy-to-use controls despite dated graphics. The Limited trim offered an optional package with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium stereo, providing excellent sound quality. However, the WRX's infotainment system, introduced in 2015, felt outdated even with updates.

The 2021 Dodge Charger had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the structurally similar 2020 model received mostly "Good" ratings, with "Poor" marks for headlights. The NHTSA gave 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 some models.

The 2021 Subaru WRX did not come standard with the latest safety features. Subaru's EyeSight system, including adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, was available on Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. Adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking were optional on the Limited trim. All WRX trims came standard with a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.