2021 Lexus ES vs 2020 Dodge Charger

The 2020 Dodge Charger, with its roots tracing back to 2006, carried a modern muscle car silhouette. The 2015 facelift introduced a thin inlet grille and more aggressive headlights, aligning with Dodge's performance identity. Inside, the Charger blended retro and modern elements, featuring large vintage-looking bezels housing digital displays. The raised transmission tunnel and tall center console created a cockpit-like feel. Trim levels included SXT, GT, R/T, and Hellcat, each offering unique features and performance upgrades.

The 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup with the new ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard AWD, priced similarly to the ES 350 with a 3.5-liter V6 and FWD. The ES 300h hybrid variant offered improved fuel economy. The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition included unique styling elements and a limited production run of 1,500 units. The ES's design featured a dramatic grille and a sleek, artfully detailed body, with the F Sport trim adding sporty touches.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered various powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 in the SXT and GT trims, producing 292 and 300 horsepower, respectively. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp, while the R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 hp. The range-topping Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody had a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivering 707 hp. The Charger provided a thrilling driving experience, with options for AWD, adaptive suspension, and Brembo brakes, enhancing its performance and handling.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ES 350 F Sport featured adaptive damping suspension and additional driving modes, including Sport+ and Custom. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds, with an EPA rating of 25 mpg combined. The ES 350 F Sport offered a balance of comfort and sportiness, with firm ride quality and flat cornering stance, though it lacked the outright performance of a sports sedan.

The 2020 Dodge Charger excelled in interior space, offering ample legroom for rear passengers and well-bolstered front bucket seats. The cabin featured practical storage solutions, including door trays, cup holders, and a large center console. The Charger's trunk provided 16.5 cubic feet of space, surpassing many performance sedans and large family sedans, with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench for additional storage.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 F Sport featured sport-bolstered front seats with 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seats offered good foot and legroom, with supportive cushions and a comfortable seating position. The ES provided rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. Storage was plentiful but oddly configured, with nooks and crannies rather than wide trays. The trunk measured 13.9 cubic feet, with an optional hands-free power trunk for added convenience.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while higher trims featured an 8.4-inch screen. Both sizes ran FCA's Uconnect system, known for its simplicity and ease of use. The system included Bluetooth, USB connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The digital display screen in the instrument panel provided easy access to various functions, including trip computer, digital speedometer, and navigation.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured an 8-inch display, upgradeable to a 12.3-inch widescreen. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and HD Radio. The larger screen added dynamic navigation and voice command technology. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium sound system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson system. The touchpad interface required attention, but voice command technology helped bypass it.

The 2020 Dodge Charger included standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Charger's crash prevention technology earned a Superior rating from the IIHS, though many features were optional.

The 2021 Lexus ES came with Lexus Safety System 2.0, bundling advanced driving assistance systems like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all but the base trim. The ES earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.