2023 Toyota Prius vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from its 2015 update, which introduced a sleeker nose and sharper LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger stood out with its vibrant color options and distinct, modern appearance compared to competitors like the Accord, Altima, and Camry. The R/T Scatpack Swinger model featured a widebody kit with flared fenders, 20-inch wheels, and a large hood scoop, giving it a bold and aggressive look. The interior, however, felt dated with its small touchscreen and plasticky knobs, though it included unique touches like green stitching and a Swinger badge.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Prius underwent a complete makeover, finally offering a stylish design that blended curves and edges for a futuristic look. The new model was longer, lower, and wider, with wheels pushed to the corners for better handling. The interior boasted top-notch materials and a solid feel, with a pair of screens for the driver and infotainment. While the cabin prioritized function over form, it remained a comfortable space for passengers.

The 2023 Dodge Charger offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 292 to 300 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the V6 was often overlooked in favor of the more powerful Hemi V8 engines. The R/T models featured a 5.7-liter V8 with 370 hp, while the Scatpack models boasted a 6.4-liter V8 with 485 hp. The Hellcat models took performance to the extreme with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivering 717 hp or 807 hp in the Redeye Jailbreak variant. Despite its size, the Charger handled well, with good grip and steering precision, though it was best to avoid mid-corner corrections.

The 2023 Toyota Prius introduced a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, combined with a more powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery, resulting in 194 hp for FWD models and 196 hp for AWD models. This was a significant improvement over the previous model's 121 hp. The Prius felt more athletic and responsive, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds. Handling was agile, thanks to the revised suspension and longer wheelbase, while road and wind noise were well-isolated. The brakes had a minor squishiness typical of hybrids but remained effective.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its large size, felt cramped inside. Headroom was adequate, but the footwells were tight, and the transmission tunnel reduced rear legroom. The trunk, however, was spacious at 16.5 cubic feet. The Charger's controls were straightforward, with large, easy-to-find buttons and switches, making it user-friendly.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, while larger on the outside, had a slightly smaller interior than its predecessor. Headroom decreased, but legroom improved, accommodating taller passengers in the rear. The optional fixed glass roof enhanced the cabin's openness. Cargo space was reduced to 20 cubic feet on XLE and Limited models and 24 cubic feet on the LE. The cabin featured practical touches like cupholders, a wireless charging pocket, and USB-C ports, though rear visibility was somewhat compromised.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect infotainment system and advanced driver-assistance features. It featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and voice recognition. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed customization of various performance settings, including throttle, steering, and transmission. Performance Pages provided real-time data on power and torque, while Hellcat models had additional cooling features.

The 2023 Toyota Prius came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The XLE model could be upgraded to a 12.3-inch screen, standard on the Limited trim. The navigation system required a subscription to Toyota's Drive Connect. All models had a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, though it was somewhat cluttered. The Prius offered six USB-C ports, wireless charging on XLE and Limited trims, and an AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot. Subscription-based connectivity bundles included Remote Connect, Safety Connect, and Drive Connect.

The 2023 Dodge Charger performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four out of five stars overall. It lacked standard advanced safety features, with options like forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control available on certain trims. Blind-spot monitoring was optional on GT, R/T, and Scatpack models.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-departure alerts, and Proactive Driving Assist. These features were standard across all trims. The Prius also had stability control, traction control, eight airbags, and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim offered Advanced Park for hands-free parallel parking. Crash test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.