2021 Dodge Charger vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a staple in the muscle car segment, continued to captivate buyers with its wide array of variants, including the top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye. Despite its decade-old design, the Charger maintained a distinctive look that resonated with its "brotherhood of muscle" ethos. The widebody styling option added an athletic flair, while the functional performance hood on the SRT Hellcat Redeye enhanced its aggressive stance. The Charger offered a plethora of customization options, from wheel sizes to exterior colours, allowing buyers to tailor the car to their preferences. However, the interior, though improved over the years, still lacked the premium feel expected in higher-priced models, with a fair amount of hard plastic and rubberized surfaces.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus ES presented a more refined and elegant aesthetic, appealing to a different demographic. The ES, with its sleek proportions and signature spindle grille, offered a sophisticated look, though some design elements like the asymmetrical dashboard were polarizing. The interior was well-crafted, featuring high-quality materials and a cockpit-like feel for the driver. The F Sport package added a sporty touch with bold two-tone leather seating. Despite its attempts to attract younger buyers, the ES remained popular with an older demographic, balancing modern features with a nod to its heritage.

The 2021 Dodge Charger excelled in performance, offering a range of powertrains to suit different driving preferences. The base models, including the SXT and GT, were equipped with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque, making them the most fuel-efficient options. The R/T variant featured a 5.7-litre HEMI V8, producing 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds. The Scat Pack models boasted a 6.4-litre HEMI V8, generating 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. At the top of the lineup, the SRT Hellcat Redeye's supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 delivered an astounding 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque, though it was the least fuel-efficient. The Charger offered a connected driving experience with configurable drive modes and a Performance Pages function for SRT models.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three distinct powertrains. The base ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds. The ES 350, with its 3.5-litre V6 engine, provided a more robust 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, excelling in fuel efficiency with a combined rating of 5.3 L/100 km. While the ES 250 AWD offered standard all-wheel drive, it lacked the performance punch of its siblings, making the V6 and hybrid variants more appealing for different reasons.

The 2021 Dodge Charger, a four-door, five-passenger sedan, balanced performance with practicality, offering a spacious back seat and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for additional cargo space. The interior, though dated in technology, provided easy-to-read displays and a functional steering wheel with accessible controls. Paddle shifters were available on most models, though they could be accidentally engaged during spirited driving. The Charger's trunk space was average for its class, but the foldable rear seats enhanced its utility.

The 2022 Lexus ES, a luxury sedan, offered 394 litres of cargo space, with the hybrid variant maintaining the same capacity. The ES 250 and ES 350 featured flat-folding rear seats, accommodating larger items. The sedan's lower centre of gravity and ground clearance contributed to better handling compared to SUVs. Inside, the ES boasted heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and available semi-aniline leather upholstery. The dashboard layout, though not visually appealing, was functional, with ample storage options throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Dodge Charger came with basic standard features, including a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, push-button start, and dual-zone climate control. Optional upgrades included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, premium audio systems, and navigation. The Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked the latest updates found in other Dodge models. The absence of a head-up display and the use of interchangeable switchgear contributed to a lower-tech feel.

The 2022 Lexus ES featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as standard, along with a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system. Upper trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson audio, and navigation. The touchpad interface, though improved, remained challenging to use on rough roads. A 10-inch head-up display was available, enhancing safety by displaying critical information in the driver's line of sight. The ES also offered a Panoramic View Monitor and Intuitive Parking Assist on higher trims.

The 2021 Dodge Charger received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with standard features including brake assist, electronic stability control, and rear park assist. Optional safety packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning.

The 2022 Lexus ES excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 included a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Standard blind-spot monitoring, 10 airbags, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect further enhanced its safety credentials.