2021 Dodge Challenger vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA was often described as "coupe-like" due to its four-door design and rakish rear window, though it wasn't considered a true coupe. Its sharp design was more eye-catching than the affordable A-Class sedan it shared its underpinnings with. The cabin of the CLA was where it truly shined, featuring a modern, functional, and elegant interior. The standard 7-inch digital instrument panel and 7-inch center touchscreen were combined in one continuous bezel, dominating two-thirds of the dash. The CLA 250 came with dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, synthetic leather upholstery, five USB ports, power-adjustable sport seats, and HD radio. An available Premium Package upgraded the screens to 10.25 inches and added satellite radio. The AMG CLA 35 and AMG CLA 45 included all the equipment of the CLA 250, plus the Premium Package.

The 2021 Dodge Challenger, even in its base SXT trim, exuded a cool, retro vibe with its squared-off fenders, round headlights, and twin hood scoops. The Challenger's design emphasized its width with a double-nostril grille and matching rectangular taillights. The hump in the body's shoulder line on the rear quarter panel was a unique element that made the car look stocky and thick. The interior, unchanged since the 2015 refresh, was just okay. The analog gauges with red needles and thin type were a pleasant throwback, while the standard central display was crisp and informative. Upper trims offered softer Nappa leather seats, contrast stitching, faux-suede headliners, carbon fiber on the top-stitched dash, and thicker steering wheels with metal shift paddles. The base car, for its price, was decent but not particularly impressive.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine across all versions, with varying outputs. The CLA 250's engine produced 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, routed through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to front-wheel drive (FWD) or available 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD). The AMG CLA 35 delivered 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with power routed through the same seven-speed transmission to standard AWD. The range-topping AMG CLA 45 boasted an impressive 382 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, routed through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with standard AWD, achieving a zero-to-sixty time of just four seconds. The CLA had taut, playful handling with well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, though the ride could feel stiff at times, especially compared to other Mercedes models. The available adaptive damping suspension helped somewhat, but the overall ride quality still trended towards firm.

The 2021 Dodge Challenger offered a wide range of engine options, from a mediocre V6 in the SXT and GT trims to the monstrous supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Hellcat models. The Challenger was known for its high horsepower, with options ranging from 303 to 807 hp. The R/T Scat Pack trims and above featured a line lock for easy burnouts, launch control, and launch assist. SRT Hellcat models included an After-Run Chiller and Power Chiller to manage the supercharger's air temperature. The Challenger's performance numbers were impressive, with the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody achieving 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 203 mph. The base Challenger's 3.6-liter V6 was quiet and efficient but lacked excitement. The R/T trim, with its 375-hp, 5.7-liter V8, and the R/T Scat Pack, with a 485-hp, 6.4-liter V8, offered more engaging driving experiences. The handling and steering were adequate but unremarkable, with V6 models floating and V8 models feeling more planted due to their weight and traction control.

As a subcompact sedan, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA had its pros and cons. It was very maneuverable in tight spaces and had surprisingly spacious front seats. However, the rear seats were tight, and the trunk offered only 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which was small even for the subcompact segment. The coupe-like profile resulted in limited rear headroom and legroom, making the rear seats usable only if the front seats were slid forward. The front-seat space was well-utilized, with ergonomic controls, decent-sized cupholders, and large in-door cubbies for water bottles.

The 2021 Dodge Challenger, even with all seats installed, was essentially a car for one. The trunk offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space, more than many sedans and significantly more than the Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang. The standard configuration included five seat belts, but the back seat was practically useless. The driver's seat provided a moderately good view, better than the Camaro but worse than the Mustang, with small side mirrors requiring careful lane changes and parking. The older interior design meant there was nothing new to learn, with conventional climate controls, stereo, and shifter, as well as the UConnect infotainment system. The seats were comfortable, with six-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way power lumbar, and could be heated, cooled, and covered in various materials. There were 19 color and material combinations and six steering wheel designs, some with an illuminated SRT logo.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA came standard with the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system, which could be controlled via the center touchscreen, a dial in the center console, or voice recognition. The touchscreen and instrument cluster could also be controlled via small touch-sensitive toggles on the steering wheel. The system had a sensible layout and included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless device charging was optional, but wireless CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. The CLA exclusively used USB-C outlets, which might have been inconvenient for those who hadn't yet switched to USB-C.

The 2021 Dodge Challenger's standard infotainment system featured a 7-inch touchscreen, which was considered too small for a modern car, but it did come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 8.4-inch screen, which should have been standard, was available with or without navigation. The Performance Pages app allowed drivers to view real-time performance data and record various feats of strength. The UConnect system made it easy to customize driving modes for the throttle, transmission, suspension, and traction control systems. A proximity key came standard, and optional features included an Alpine audio system, power steering column, driver's seat memory, SiriusXM, HD radio, 4G WiFi hotspot, xenon headlights, auto high beams, and rain-sensing wipers. No driver assists were standard, but adaptive cruise control was optional.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA came with a solid list of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. It also featured crosswind assist to compensate for hard gusts during highway driving. Additional safety features required selecting one or more packages. The Driver Assistance package ($1,700) added adaptive cruise control, rear collision braking, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as Mercedes Pre-Safe Sound. Adaptive headlights were available for $900, and a parallel park assist and surround-view parking monitor could be added for $1,100.

The 2021 Dodge Challenger earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it struggled with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests. It scored "good" in only two of the six tests, "acceptable" for roof strength and head restraints, and "marginal" for the driver in the small overlap front test. The IIHS noted "extensive" intrusion into the footwell during a frontal crash. The optional forward emergency braking safety feature was rated at the lowest "basic" level. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise were the only other available driver assists.