2022 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in standard, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $26,370 to $36,240. The hybrid powertrain added a $1,600 premium, except for the Touring trim, where it saved $460. The Accord Hybrid was never available in Sport trim. The Accord was praised for its excellent proportions, stance, style, and detailing, making it one of the best-looking Hondas. Minor front styling changes included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim received new 19-inch aluminum wheels and a new paint color, Sonic Gray Pearl. The test vehicle, an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, featured a dark undertone that avoided the typical drab brightness of silver metallic paint. The new wheels looked great but were difficult to clean due to the gloss black inserts. The Lunar Silver model came with a Black interior, while high-contrast Ivory-over-Black was available with other colors. The Accord's cabin looked upscale, with simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents. However, the hard plastic upper rear door trim was a disappointment. The controls were logically arranged and easy to use, with both a volume knob and a tuning knob for the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Outward visibility was excellent, and the driver could easily place the car when parking and maneuvering.

The 2022 Dodge Charger ran on a platform dating back to 2005, shared with the Dodge Challenger coupe and Chrysler 300 sedan, originally from an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The Charger underwent major updates in 2011 and 2015, with the latter giving it a more modern and menacing design. While the exterior was updated, the cabin looked dated by modern standards, with thick bezels and chunky buttons and dials. However, it was easy to use. The Charger was available in SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, Hellcat, Redeye, and Jailbreak trims. The SXT trim came with a V6 engine, power-adjustable front seats, rear parking sensors, cloth upholstery, a six-speaker stereo, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT trim had a slightly more powerful V6, a rear spoiler, sport-tuned suspension, performance tires, an Alpine premium stereo system, navigation, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen. The R/T trim featured a V8 engine, performance suspension, and upgraded tires, with a Harmon Kardon premium stereo system available. The R/T Scat Pack had a larger V8, launch control, high-performance suspension, limited-slip rear differential, Brembo performance brakes, heated steering wheel, and driver's seat memory setting. The Hellcat Widebody, introduced in 2020, featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, SRT-tuned Bilstein suspension, upgraded Brembo brakes, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, Laguna leather upholstery, and heated-and-ventilated front seats. The Redeye had an even more powerful version of the Hellcat engine, while the Jailbreak pushed the supercharged V8 to an even hotter tune. Various performance and appearance upgrade packages were available depending on the trim.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system pairing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. Instead of a traditional continuously variable transmission (CVT), it used an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT) assembled with magnets free of heavy rare-earth metals. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, with torque available immediately and remaining constant up to 2,000 rpm. The Accord Hybrid accelerated to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and returned 48 mpg in combined driving for most trims, while the Touring trim earned a 43-mpg rating due to its larger wheels and tires. The powertrain control module determined the appropriate operational mode: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, or Engine Drive. Drivers could also select EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport mode to tailor drivetrain characteristics. Honda refined the two-motor hybrid powertrain for 2021, improving throttle response and making the car feel more natural during acceleration. The Accord Hybrid Touring averaged 42.8 mpg, matching the EPA's official rating. With 19-inch wheels and 235/40 tires, the Accord Hybrid Touring offered excellent grip and handling, with a compliant ride and a brake-by-wire regenerative braking system that felt responsive and natural. The Accord Hybrid was fun to drive, except when navigating speed humps, which required a slow approach.

The 2022 Dodge Charger SXT and GT models used a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in base form, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque in the SXT AWD and GT trims. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, delivering 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. The R/T Scat Pack had a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, producing 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Charger SRT Hellcat had a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, generating 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat Redeye and SRT Jailbreak had the same engine, with the Redeye tuned to 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque, and the Jailbreak pushing it to 807 hp. All engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available for V6-powered SXT and GT trims. The Hellcat and Redeye accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 196 mph. The Hellcat Widebody featured 11-inch-wide Pirelli P-Zero tires, allowing for better power delivery and cornering precision. The SRT Performance Pages menu on the in-dash touchscreen allowed drivers to toggle traction control, throttle response, steering feel, and suspension settings. In normal driving, the Charger Hellcat was composed, but in Track mode, it delivered a thrilling ride.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid offered impressive interior space, competing as a midsize sedan but providing full-size sedan room. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and enormous back seat made the Accord Hybrid roomy, though the front passenger's seat lacked height adjustment. Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large center console bin, a covered compartment with a wireless smartphone charger, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's 16.7 cubic-foot trunk was the same size as other Accords and larger than any competitor in the segment. The trunk was deep enough to store full-size suitcases on their sides, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats expanded the car's utility.

The 2022 Dodge Charger was a large sedan, but the tall transmission tunnel and performance bucket seats made the front seats feel intimate. Both rows offered plenty of legroom, but headroom was limited, especially in the rear seats. The Charger lacked modern storage space, with a smaller center console bin and trays around the shifter. The Charger provided 16.5 cubic feet of trunk space, but the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. However, the Charger offered sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk, making it more versatile than many cars it could outrun.

For 2021, Honda made its 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard on the base Accord Hybrid, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. EX trim and higher offered wireless connectivity for these platforms, improved USB port access, and standard 2.5-amp quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers. Wireless smartphone charging was standard with EX trim and higher. EX-L trim included a premium sound system, while Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a WiFi hotspot. The system worked well, but voice commands required specific prompts and pathways. The navigation system struggled to locate the closest hospital, a vital task for a voice-activated system.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its ease of use and simple layout. The base SXT and GT trims had an optional 8.4-inch version, standard on higher trims. Both screens included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology blended well with conventional controls, providing a user-friendly experience.

In 2020, the Honda Accord did not receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to its headlights. For 2021, Honda redesigned the LED headlights and made them standard on all trims, aiming for the Top Safety Pick+ rating. The 2021 Accord Hybrid included a standard rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder system. The Touring model gained low-speed braking control, a front and rear automatic emergency braking system for speeds up to 6 mph. The Honda Sensing collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) was refined for smoother and more accurate operation. However, the driver remained aware of system operation, and the lane departure warning should have been a steering wheel vibration instead of a wobble. The low-speed automatic braking system needed recalibration, as it was overly sensitive with a full payload.

The 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in safety features. Standard equipment included a backup camera and rear parking sensors, with the backup camera displaying a grainy image. Optional safety 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.