2023 Dodge Charger vs 2024 Nissan Sentra

The 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from 2015, featuring a sleek nose and sharp LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger stood out with its vibrant color options and distinct appearance, especially when compared to more frequently redesigned competitors like the Accord, Altima, and Camry. The R/T Scatpack Swinger model, with its widebody kit, flared fenders, and 20-inch wheels, exuded a bold presence. The car's exterior was further enhanced by a large hood scoop, deep-dish bronze wheels, and a matte black decklid spoiler. However, the interior felt dated, with a small touchscreen and plasticky knobs, though it included unique touches like green stitching and a Swinger badge.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra received updated styling, with a wider grille and chrome trim that blended with the headlights. The design aimed to create a longer, lower, and wider impression, avoiding the eccentricity of some competitors while maintaining a flair that surpassed the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta. The Sentra's trim levels remained unchanged, with the SR model featuring 18-inch wheels and a black roof option. Inside, the Sentra boasted large round air vents inspired by the Z sports car and a dashboard that framed the central touchscreen. While material quality was typical for an entry-level car, the design elements provided a distinctive look.

The 2023 Dodge Charger offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that produced 292 to 300 horsepower, depending on the trim. This engine was paired with an all-wheel-drive system, though its performance in adverse conditions was less than ideal. The Charger excelled with its V8 options, including the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp and the 6.4-liter V8 in the Scatpack models, delivering 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat models pushed the limits with a supercharged 6.2-liter engine, producing up to 807 hp in the Redeye Jailbreak variant. Despite its size, the Charger handled well, with precise steering and exceptional braking, especially in the Scat Pack Widebody trims.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra focused on efficiency rather than performance, featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was reengineered for smoother operation and improved fuel efficiency. The Sentra's steering provided good feedback and precision, while the suspension offered a comfortable ride without excessive body roll. However, the updated CVT occasionally caused an unexpected surge of acceleration. Overall, the Sentra prioritized a pleasant driving experience over sporty performance.

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

The 2024 Nissan Sentra offered decent interior space, particularly in the front row, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Kia Forte and Mazda 3. However, rear legroom was less generous than competitors. The Sentra's Zero Gravity seats provided comfort, and the low dashboard and window sills offered excellent forward visibility. The Sentra's trunk space measured 14.3 cubic feet, with a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat for added versatility. The All-Weather Package added features like heated seats and dual-zone climate control for comfort in colder conditions.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect infotainment system and advanced driver-assistance features. Its 8.4-inch touchscreen was small but offered fast and logical menu navigation. The Charger included wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM. The SRT Dashboard app allowed customization of various performance settings, and the Performance Pages displayed real-time data. Hellcat models featured additional cooling functions for the supercharger.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra's tech offerings felt a step behind some rivals. The base model included a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but wireless versions were unavailable. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system, with an optional eight-speaker Bose system. The graphics on the screens appeared dated, but the controls were user-friendly, with large volume and tuning knobs.

The 2023 Dodge Charger performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four out of five stars overall. It lacked standard safety assists, with features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control available as options on certain trims. Blind-spot monitoring was also optional on select models.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra's safety ratings from the IIHS were mixed, with a "Good" rating in the original side-impact test but only "Acceptable" in the updated version. The Sentra received a "Basic" rating for nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention and a "Poor" headlight rating. NHTSA ratings were incomplete, but the Sentra received five stars in rollover and side crash tests. The Sentra included standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 features, with additional options like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system available on higher trims.