2020 Dodge Charger vs 2020 MINI Cooper

The 2020 MINI Cooper was a distinctive presence on the road, with its unique styling that included wide-eyed LED-ringed headlights and a grinning front grille. Its vibrant color options and Union Jack taillights added to its charm, making it a favorite among enthusiasts. Despite its bold design, the Cooper managed to avoid being gaudy, instead exuding a charming and inviting aura. Over the years, the MINI Cooper evolved from its original two-door hardtop to include a convertible and a four-door variant, eventually introducing the all-electric SE trim. The SE maintained much of the Cooper S's design, with the main difference being its slightly higher stance to accommodate the battery cells. Inside, the MINI Cooper's interior was dominated by circular design elements, from the speakers to the air vents, and featured a premium feel that was unmatched in its size category.

The 2020 Dodge Charger, on the other hand, carried forward the muscle car silhouette that Dodge resurrected in 2006. Its menacing headlights and gaping grille were key design elements that continued into the current generation, which began in 2011. The 2015 facelift brought significant changes, including a thin inlet replacing the large grille and more aggressive headlights. The Charger's cabin blended retro themes with modern touches, featuring large vintage-looking bezels housing digital displays. The rear-wheel-drive platform necessitated a raised transmission tunnel, creating a cockpit-like feel. The Charger offered various trim levels, from the SXT with standard features like 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen, to the Hellcat with a supercharged V8 engine and widebody kit. Each trim level added unique features, enhancing the Charger's appeal as a modern American performance vehicle.

The 2020 MINI Cooper was renowned for its nimble quickness and ability to carve corners, a legacy dating back to its success in the 1960s European Touring Car Championship. The Cooper S, with its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, produced 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, while the electric SE trim offered 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque. Despite the SE's slightly lower power figures, the immediacy of the electric motor's torque delivery made it feel just as quick as the Cooper S. The SE's regenerative braking system allowed for one-pedal driving, although some drivers preferred a less aggressive setting. The SE's battery added about 300 pounds to its weight, but its low center of gravity helped maintain the classic MINI driving experience. Gas-powered Coopers used either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the SE employed a single-speed gearbox.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains, starting with the SXT and GT trims equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 292 and 300 horsepower, respectively. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, along with an upgraded performance suspension and active exhaust. The R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, Brembo brakes, and launch assist. The Hellcat, with its supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivered a staggering 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Charger lineup provided a "Good/Better/Best" performance hierarchy, with the Hellcat offering exhilarating acceleration. Despite its weight, the Charger handled corners well, especially in widebody models with Bilstein adaptive suspension and Brembo brakes. The Performance Pages feature allowed drivers to customize and monitor various performance aspects.

The 2020 MINI Cooper was not designed for carpooling or long road trips, with limited rear-seat space best suited for children. The two-door Cooper offered 8.7 cubic feet of cargo space, while the four-door variant provided 13.1 cubic feet. The Convertible had only 5.7 cubic feet, but folding the rear seats in the SE trim expanded cargo capacity to 25.8 cubic feet. Despite its compact size, the Cooper's interior was thoughtfully designed, featuring two-zone automatic air conditioning and efficient heating. The chrome toggle switches and ergonomic steering wheel added to the premium feel, reflecting BMW's investment in the MINI brand.

In contrast, the 2020 Dodge Charger offered ample interior space, with generous legroom in the rear seats and well-bolstered front bucket seats. The Charger featured convenient storage solutions, including door trays and a spacious center console. Its trunk provided 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing many performance sedans and large family sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench allowed for additional storage flexibility, making the Charger a practical choice for those needing more space.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE featured an "eDrive" driver-information display that moved with steering-wheel adjustments, displaying vital information such as speed, mileage, and remaining charge. The SE's 32.6-kilowatt-hour battery offered a range of 110 miles, appealing to urban drivers. The 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, with the SE Iconic trim offering an 8.8-inch screen, wireless charging, and a head-up display.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with higher trims featuring an 8.4-inch screen running the Uconnect system. This system offered Bluetooth, USB connectivity, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Uconnect system was praised for its simplicity, with a logical menu layout and docked icons for easy navigation. The digital display screen in the instrument panel provided trip information and turn-by-turn directions, enhancing the Charger's user-friendly technology experience.

The 2020 MINI Cooper lacked advanced safety features, with only front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera included in the Iconic package. Forward-collision warning was standard, but automatic emergency braking was unavailable. The MINI Cooper received "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, although it was not rated by the NHTSA.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered standard safety features such as airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. Available options 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, although many features were optional rather than standard.