2021 Dodge Charger vs 2022 Lexus ES

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, making it difficult for casual observers to determine the model's age.

Inside, the Charger had seen updates over the years, but it still lacked in comfort and convenience features. The fit and finish had improved, yet the gauge cluster and climate controls revealed the car's age. Hard plastic and rubberized surfaces were prevalent, and while higher trims offered Nappa leather seats, most models came with standard cloth seats. The availability of heated and ventilated seats varied by trim level, and the overall interior quality was more utilitarian than luxurious, especially for models priced over $70,000.

The 2022 Lexus ES, a staple in the Lexus lineup since 1990, had evolved over seven generations. Despite a decline in sales since its peak in 2007, the ES remained a respectable choice for buyers. The latest generation, launched in 2018, utilized the Global Architecture-K platform, supporting a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout with optional all-wheel drive. The ES featured elegant proportions, a sleek roofline, and the distinctive Lexus "spindle" grille. Standard 17-inch wheels could be upgraded to 18-inch or 19-inch options, with the latter appearing somewhat exaggerated.

The interior of the ES was well-assembled, with a layered dashboard and bold two-tone leather seating in the F Sport model. However, the asymmetrical design of the dashboard and the small analog chronometer inset into the touchscreen housing added to the cluttered appearance. The seats were sporty and attractive, but the overall interior design felt somewhat disjointed. The ES aimed to balance the needs of its aging demographic with the desire to attract younger buyers, resulting in a safe yet somewhat peculiar design.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a range of powertrains to suit different preferences. The SXT, SXT AWD, GT, and GT AWD models were powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. 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 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, with a 1,000-pound towing capacity.

The Charger Scat Pack models boasted a 392-cubic inch (6.4-liter) HEMI V8 engine, generating 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The SRT Hellcat variant came with a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine, delivering 717 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The top-of-the-line SRT Hellcat Redeye featured a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V8 engine, producing an impressive 797 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque. Despite its power, the SRT Hellcat Redeye managed to be both manageable and responsive, 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 2022 Lexus ES offered three models with distinct powertrains. The base ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It achieved an EPA rating of 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. The ES 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 307 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and an EPA rating of 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined.

The ES 300h hybrid variant combined a 176-horsepower four-cylinder engine with a 39-horsepower electric motor, resulting in a net 215 horsepower. It featured an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) and achieved an EPA rating of 43 mpg city, 44 mpg highway, and 44 mpg combined. The hybrid model offered a balance of performance and fuel efficiency, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a four-door, five-passenger sedan, balanced speed and power with practicality. The spacious back seat and comfortable accommodations made it a viable family car. The instrument cluster varied by model, with speedometers ranging from 140 mph to 220 mph. The steering wheel featured easy-to-reach buttons, and paddle shifters were available on all but the base model. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat expanded the trunk space, which was average compared to other large cars.

The 2022 Lexus ES, a luxury sedan, offered a generous 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, even in the hybrid ES 300h. The pass-through behind the center armrest allowed for long, slim cargo, and the second row in the ES 250 and ES 350 folded flat for additional storage. The ES had a lower center of gravity and ground clearance than its SUV counterpart, the Lexus RX, contributing to better handling and fuel economy. Inside, the ES featured ample storage and convenience, with big bottle pockets, cupholders, and a spacious center console storage bin. The dash layout was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

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 upgrades included a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, a six- or nine-speaker Alpine or 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, HD Radio, navigation, and a WiFi hotspot. However, the lack of a head-up display and the outdated Uconnect infotainment system detracted from the overall tech experience.

The 2022 Lexus ES featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa+Lexus compatibility as standard. The base model also included a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, USB audio input connections, Bluetooth, a CD player, HD radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Upper trim levels offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt surround sound audio, and navigation. The ES also had a 10-inch head-up display, a Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist, and Lexus Enform connected services, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote, WiFi, Dynamic Navigation, and Destination Assist.

The 2021 Dodge Charger received a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and mostly "Good" crashworthiness ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though it scored "Poor" for headlights. 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 2022 Lexus ES excelled in safety, earning the highest rating of Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 suite included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign assist, Enhanced Lane-Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Additional standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, 10 airbags, and three years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect service.