2022 Dodge Charger vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Dodge Charger had been running on the same platform since 2005, shared with the Dodge Challenger coupe and Chrysler 300 sedan, which originated from an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Despite its age, Dodge had made impressive updates to the Charger, with major interior and exterior changes in 2011 and a significant facelift in 2015. The 2015 design, which carried over to the 2022 model, was more modern and menacing compared to its Challenger counterpart. However, the cabin, which had not seen significant updates since 2015, looked dated by modern standards, with thick bezels and chunky buttons, though it was user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over largely unchanged into 2022. Its exterior resembled a downsized Altima, featuring a low-slung, coupe-like, and modern design, a significant improvement over the pre-2020 models. The interior of the Sentra shone with a modern yet simple layout, combining form and function. The controls were easy to use, and the trio of vents in the center of the dash gave it an upscale look. The front cabin design was capped off by a touchscreen that rose from the dash, serving as the visual centerpiece.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 in the SXT and GT models, producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in base form, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the SXT AWD and GT trims. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. The R/T Scat Pack came with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, delivering 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat, Redeye, and Jailbreak models boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, with the Hellcat producing 717 hp and 650 lb-ft, the Redeye 797 hp and 707 lb-ft, and the Jailbreak 807 hp. 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 variants offered incredible acceleration, with the Hellcat and Redeye reaching 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, on the other hand, was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While the engine was not outstanding, the CVT managed power well, providing solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road bumps well, making the Sentra suitable for commuting, city driving, and occasional road trips.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, offered plenty of legroom in both rows, though headroom was limited, especially in the rear seats. The tall transmission tunnel and performance bucket seats created an intimate front-seat experience. Storage space was limited, 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’s sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk made it versatile.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, better than many small sedans, with a standard 60/40 split-fold rear bench for expanded cargo space. However, the rear bench created a ledge, making it harder to slide larger items through. The trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a button on the dash. The Sentra had spacious seating in both rows, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the front and solid legroom in the rear. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, with ample cupholders and trays in the center console.

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. An 8.4-inch version of the Uconnect screen was optional on the base SXT and standard on higher trims, offering larger icons and easier usability. Both screens included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger’s blend of technology and conventional controls was user-friendly.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra also came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims featured a larger 8-inch touchscreen with the same connectivity options. The menu navigation was easy to follow, with conventional hard buttons and volume and tuning dials. However, the graphics could use updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback compared to competitors like the Honda Civic.

The 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in terms of 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.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features on our test model included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Good" rating across all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), along with a "Superior" rating for driver-assistance features, earning it a "Top Safety Pick" award.