2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Dodge Charger

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look that was immediately recognizable. The N Line version further enhanced this design with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the car a stealthy performance-oriented appearance. Inside, the Sonata N Line boasted sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents, along with a standard panoramic sunroof.

In contrast, the 2022 Dodge Charger, built on a platform dating back to 2005, had undergone significant updates over the years, with major facelifts in 2011 and 2015. The exterior design was modern and menacing, while the interior, though functional, felt dated with thick bezels and chunky buttons. The Charger offered a range of trims, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat and Jailbreak variants with supercharged V8 engines. The Hellcat Widebody, introduced in 2020, added wider tires and a more aggressive stance, enhancing both performance and handling.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 rpm to 4,000 rpm. It featured an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The car offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, and boasted significant improvements in engine and transmission mount stiffness, faster steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. The Sonata N Line delivered a thrilling driving experience, with impressive handling and braking performance, and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 27 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the base SXT trim. The GT trim increased output to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque, while the R/T Scat Pack came with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 producing 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The Hellcat variants, including the Redeye and Jailbreak, were powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, with outputs ranging from 717 to 807 horsepower. The Hellcat Widebody, with its 11-inch-wide Pirelli P-Zero tires, offered incredible acceleration and handling, with a 0-60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts, providing a balance of comfort and lateral support. The rear seats offered decent legroom and thigh support, along with rear air conditioning vents and a USB port. The Sonata's interior storage space was generous, though the center console design was somewhat inelegant. The trunk offered 16 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature was a convenient addition, though the lack of an interior handle on the trunk lid was a minor inconvenience.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, despite being a large sedan, felt somewhat cramped due to its high center console and performance bucket seats. Both rows provided ample legroom, but headroom was limited, especially in the rear seats. The Charger’s interior storage space was less accommodating compared to modern sedans, with smaller center console bins and trays. The trunk offered 16.5 cubic feet of space, but the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. However, the Charger’s combination of sports-car performance and four-door practicality made it a versatile option.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and the placement of the volume control knob were minor annoyances. The Sonata also offered Hyundai Digital Key for Android devices and the calming Sounds of Nature feature.

The 2022 Dodge Charger featured a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch version available on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with large icons for major functions and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While not the most advanced system on the market, the Uconnect system’s simplicity and ease of use were commendable.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with Hyundai’s SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Sonata’s safety ratings were based on the standard model, as the N Line had not been separately rated by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

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