2022 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the 2020 facelift, which was the first major update in nearly a decade. This facelift gave the Passat a strong familial resemblance to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta, resulting in a more understated look compared to rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's aerodynamic design, with a drag coefficient of 0.28, aimed to improve fuel efficiency, although the impact was minimal. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches depending on the trim. The R-Line trim added sportier exterior elements but lacked vibrant color options.

Inside, the Passat's design was clean and functional, with a focus on analog controls for ease of use. The dashboard was short and low, enhancing forward visibility, while the low beltline provided good side visibility. However, the flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed out of place in such an un-sporty car. The interior materials were mostly plastic, with cloth upholstery on S models and V-Tex leatherette on SE and R-Line trims. Despite the plain design, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's positioning as a value option.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, built on a platform dating back to 2005, had undergone significant updates over the years, with major facelifts in 2011 and 2015. The 2015 design, which carried over to the 2022 model, offered a modern and menacing look. While the exterior was updated, the cabin felt dated with thick bezels and chunky buttons, reminiscent of a small truck. However, the layout was user-friendly, compensating for its lack of modernity.

The Charger came in various trims, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat and Jailbreak models with supercharged V8 engines. The SXT and GT trims featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, while the R/T trim introduced a 5.7-liter Hemi V8. The R/T Scat Pack, Hellcat, Redeye, and Jailbreak trims offered increasingly powerful V8 engines, with the Jailbreak pushing an astonishing 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 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. While the torque output was impressive, the horsepower was below average compared to rivals. The power delivery felt uneven, especially during highway overtakes, but switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved the response. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness and excitement offered by competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. Ride quality and cabin noise levels were good but not exceptional.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 engine in the SXT and GT models, producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine in the SXT AWD and GT trims was slightly more powerful, with 300 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, while the R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat, Redeye, and Jailbreak trims took performance to another level with a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, producing 717 hp, 797 hp, and 807 hp, respectively. All engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available on V6 models.

The Hellcat and Redeye models delivered incredible acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph. The Hellcat Widebody, with its 11-inch-wide Pirelli P-Zero tires, provided better traction and cornering capabilities. The SRT Performance Pages menu allowed drivers to toggle between Auto, Sport, Track, and Custom drive modes, adjusting traction control, throttle response, steering feel, and suspension settings. In normal driving, the Charger Hellcat was surprisingly composed, but in Track mode, it delivered a thrilling ride.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat offered 39.1 inches of rear legroom, slightly less than the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. However, this came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. Front headroom was also limited compared to other midsize sedans. The driving position was uncomfortable, with limited front legroom and lack of thigh support in the front seats. The rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat provided 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, and Nissan Altima, but less than the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders and a small flat cubby for smartphones. The layout of controls was a strong point, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach and an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, despite being a large sedan, had a high center console and performance bucket seats that created an intimate experience in the front seats. Both rows offered plenty of legroom, but headroom was limited, especially in the rear seats. 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 offered sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk, making it more versatile than many high-performance cars.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with the MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line models added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. Keyless entry was standard on the SE and R-Line trims. A single USB-A port in the center stack handled connectivity functions, with two rear charge-only USB-A ports on SE models. The touchscreen included pinch-to-zoom capability, but basic functions like climate control and audio could be managed with dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and the newer MIB3 infotainment system available in other VW models.

The 2022 Dodge Charger featured a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch version on higher trims. The Uconnect system was user-friendly, with a dock area at the bottom for major functions like stereo, navigation, and vehicle settings. Both screens came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the Charger wasn't the most advanced car on the road, its blend of technology and conventional controls provided a good user experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hadn't published crash-test ratings for the 2021 Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.

The 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in terms of safety features. Standard equipment included a backup camera and rear parking sensors, but the backup camera displayed 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.