2022 Dodge Charger vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback emerged as a bold contender in a market where hatchback popularity was waning. As other automakers phased out hatchbacks in favor of small crossover SUVs, Honda saw an opportunity to capture a significant share of the remaining market. The redesigned Civic Hatchback, produced in Indiana, was one of the few compact cars still made in the U.S. It shared its front design with the Civic sedan but featured unique elements from the front doors to the rear, giving it a distinct appearance. Despite its modern appeal, the Civic Hatchback retained some design quirks, such as the "stubby butt syndrome," but offered a sophisticated interior with high-quality controls and digital displays, especially in the Sport Touring trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Dodge Charger maintained its menacing and modern design, a result of significant updates over the years. While the exterior was refreshed in 2015, the interior lagged behind modern standards, with thick bezels and chunky controls reminiscent of a small truck. Despite this, the Charger offered ease of use and a range of trims, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat variants. The Charger’s design focused on performance, with the Hellcat Widebody variant providing a well-rounded performance machine that combined power with improved handling.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a choice between two engines. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT or a six-speed manual in the Sport trim. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims upgraded to a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, providing a more energetic driving experience. The Civic Hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a suspension setup that balanced comfort and handling. While the CVT worked well with the turbo engine, driving enthusiasts preferred the manual transmission for its engaging feel. The Civic Hatchback delivered a satisfying driving experience, though it was not designed for aggressive driving on winding roads.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 in the SXT and GT models, producing up to 300 horsepower. The R/T trim introduced a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower, while the R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter V8 with 485 horsepower. The Charger SRT Hellcat featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 717 horsepower, with the Redeye and Jailbreak variants pushing power to 797 and 807 horsepower, 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 variants delivered exhilarating acceleration and handling, especially with the Widebody setup, which improved grip and cornering ability.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback prioritized functionality with a spacious trunk offering 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space and a two-piece cargo shade. The rear seats folded in a 60/40 split, though the load floor was not flat. The interior provided comfortable seating with sufficient legroom, though some passengers noted the lack of a seat-height adjuster for the front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents. The driver’s seat offered eight-way power adjustment, and the Sport Touring trim featured black leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, offered ample legroom in both rows, though headroom was limited, especially in the rear. The interior felt intimate due to the high center console and performance bucket seats. Storage space was limited compared to modern sedans, with a smaller center console bin and door trays. The Charger provided 16.5 cubic feet of trunk space, though the high rear bumper and small trunk lid made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger offered sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk, making it versatile for its class.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 9-inch display on the Sport Touring trim. The system included physical knobs for volume and tuning, addressing previous criticisms. The Sport Touring trim added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Digital instrumentation was standard, with a 10.2-inch display on the Sport Touring. The voice recognition system worked well, though the Sport trim’s speakers were mediocre compared to the Bose system.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. Higher trims featured an 8.4-inch screen with larger icons, making it easier to use. Both screens included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger’s technology blended well with conventional controls, offering a straightforward user experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, though these were only available with the CVT. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems were limited to higher trims. The Civic Hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety engineering and features.

The 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in terms of safety features, offering only a backup camera and rear parking sensors as standard. Optional features included forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. However, the standard safety equipment was limited compared to modern vehicles.