2022 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, showcased a design evolution that embraced the "sensual purity" theme, moving away from the sharper lines of its predecessor. This model featured a more fluid and curvier form, reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models from earlier years. The E-Class maintained its elegance with new design elements such as squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights. Despite the absence of the classic standing hood ornament, the E-Class remained a reserved and conservative vehicle, with AMG models offering a touch of drama through quad exhaust tips and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxury, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber adorning the cabin. The interior was a blend of decadent materials and modern technology, featuring two 12-inch screens and a digital display that replaced analog gauges, making it a standout in its class.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, built on a platform dating back to 2005, presented a more aggressive and modern exterior design, especially after its 2015 facelift. While the exterior updates gave it a menacing look, the interior lagged behind modern standards, with thick bezels and chunky controls reminiscent of older models. Despite this, the Charger offered ease of use with its straightforward layout. The Charger came in various trims, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat and Jailbreak models, each offering a unique blend of power and features. The Hellcat Widebody, in particular, transformed the Charger into a well-rounded performance machine, combining supercar-level power with everyday usability. The Charger was a testament to Dodge's ability to extract impressive performance from an aging platform, offering a thrilling driving experience with its powerful V8 engines and performance-oriented features.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for its high-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the traditional 12-volt system. This setup provided extra power and torque, allowing the engine to shut off more frequently to save fuel and reduce emissions. The E450's 3.0-liter inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional overboost from the battery. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, delivering 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, offering brisk acceleration and a refined driving experience. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-liter V8 engine, produced 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a true performance machine. Despite its power, the E-Class maintained a comfortable ride, with fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg combined for the E53 sedan and 18 mpg combined for the E63 sedan.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 engine in the SXT and GT models, producing 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, while the R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Charger SRT Hellcat, with its supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, delivered 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, with the Redeye and Jailbreak models pushing power even further to 797 hp and 807 hp, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available on V6 models. The Hellcat models offered incredible acceleration, with the Hellcat and Redeye reaching 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. The Widebody setup improved handling and traction, making the Charger a formidable performance sedan.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a spacious cabin for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom. The interior featured supportive cushions and knee cutouts on the seatbacks, providing comfort for taller passengers. The E-Class sedan offered 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the wagon provided up to 64 cubic feet with all seats folded. The coupe and convertible models had less trunk space, with the convertible offering the least due to its folding soft top. The E-Class All-Terrain wagon added ground clearance and plastic body cladding for a more rugged look. Despite its luxury, the E-Class lacked some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats in certain trims.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, offered plenty of legroom in both rows, but headroom was limited, especially in the rear seats. The high center console and performance bucket seats created an intimate experience in the front. The Charger provided 16.5 cubic feet of trunk space, but the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger offered sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk, making it a versatile option for those seeking both performance and practicality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, which allowed for touch, poke, and swipe interactions. The interface was well-organized, with shortcut buttons for major functions and gesture controls for added convenience. The system included natural voice processing and online searches, similar to Siri or Alexa. The E-Class offered advanced features like live camera feeds with overlay arrows for navigation and massaging seats with side bolsters. While the system didn't support over-the-air updates, it included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional wireless charging and 4G WiFi.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its ease of use. The system featured a dock area with large icons for major functions, and an 8.4-inch version was available on higher trims. Both screens included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology offered a blend of modern features and conventional controls, providing a user-friendly experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars available, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. It featured innovative safety technologies like Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during a side collision. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in terms of 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, and more. While the Charger lacked the comprehensive safety suite of newer models, it offered some modern safety features as options.