2021 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Dodge Charger, in its seventh generation, continued to captivate buyers with its array of variants, including the top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye. Despite the subtle differences between models, the Charger maintained a consistent design, appealing to the "brotherhood of muscle" with its widebody options and distinctive Hellcat badging. The car's exterior featured a range of tire, wheel, brake, and color options, with halogen projector headlights and optional high-intensity discharge lights. However, the design had remained largely unchanged for a decade, which could be seen as both a strength and a weakness.

Inside, the Charger had seen updates over the years, but it still lacked some comfort and convenience features. The fit and finish had improved, yet the gauge cluster and climate controls revealed the car's age. The interior materials leaned towards hard plastic and rubberized surfaces, with cloth seats standard on most trims and Nappa leather on higher trims. While the Charger offered heated and ventilated seats in pricier models, the overall interior quality felt lacking, especially in models priced over $70,000.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat, on the other hand, had undergone a significant facelift in 2020, giving it a more modern look akin to the smaller Jetta sedan. The Passat's design was understated compared to its rivals, with a smooth, aerodynamic shape boasting a drag coefficient of 0.28. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches depending on the trim. The R-Line trim added sportier styling elements, but the color palette remained conservative.

The Passat's interior followed a clean, functional design philosophy, with well-placed analog controls enhancing usability. The dashboard's low profile improved visibility, but the flat-bottomed steering wheel felt out of place. While the interior materials were mostly plastic, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's value-oriented market positioning. However, the interior might have seemed plain to some buyers, lacking the premium feel of higher-end competitors.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a range of powertrains to suit different preferences. The base models, including the SXT and GT, featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. The Charger R/T stepped up with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, producing 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, and even offered a 1,000-pound towing capacity.

For those seeking more power, the Charger Scat Pack models came with a 6.4-liter HEMI V8, generating 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat variant boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8, delivering an impressive 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The pinnacle of the lineup, the SRT Hellcat Redeye, featured a high-output version of the same engine, producing a staggering 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. Despite its immense power, the Redeye managed to offer a surprisingly manageable driving experience, both on the track and in everyday situations.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat offered a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, which was below average for the segment but offered decent torque. The Passat's power delivery felt uneven at times, particularly during highway overtakes, but switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears helped improve responsiveness.

The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. While the ride quality and cabin noise levels were acceptable on the highway, the Passat didn't stand out in terms of comfort or excitement. Overall, the Passat was a plain midsize sedan that didn't offer much in the way of driving thrills.

The 2021 Dodge Charger functioned well as a family car, offering a spacious back seat and comfortable accommodations for up to five passengers. The instrument cluster varied by model, with different speedometer ranges reflecting the car's top speed. The steering wheel was functional, with easy-to-reach buttons and paddle shifters on all but the base model. However, the paddle shifters could be accidentally engaged during spirited driving.

The Charger featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, expanding the already spacious trunk for additional storage. While the cargo space was about average for the segment, the Charger's overall interior space and functionality made it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat, meanwhile, offered 39.1 inches of rear legroom, slightly less than competitors like the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. This rear legroom seemed to come at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. The front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard, contributing to an uncomfortable driving position.

The Passat's cargo space measured 15.9 cubic feet, more than some rivals but less than others like the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with door bottle holders poorly shaped for large bottles and a small cubby for smartphones. However, the layout of the Passat's controls was excellent, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach, making it user-friendly for drivers.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with a basic set of 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, upgraded audio systems, HD Radio, navigation, and a WiFi hotspot.

However, the Charger lacked a head-up display, and its buttons and dials felt dated. The Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly but had some functions buried too deeply in menus. The latest version of Uconnect, available in other Dodge models, addressed these issues but wasn't yet available in the Charger.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line trim added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. Keyless entry was standard on the SE and R-Line trims.

The Passat's touchscreen was small by modern standards but included pinch-to-zoom capability. Basic functions like climate control and audio could be managed with dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls, making it user-friendly for ordinary drivers. However, the Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and the newer MIB3 infotainment system found in other VW models.

The 2021 Dodge Charger hadn't been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 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 Volkswagen Passat received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, but its standard headlights earned a "Marginal" rating. The NHTSA hadn't published crash-test ratings for the 2021 Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.