2016 Dodge Charger vs Chevy Impala Comparison

Options

The Dodge Charger has a large host of models and trims to choose from. There's four main trims: the SE, SXT, R/T, and SRT 392. Then, you can go even further by choosing SE All Wheel Drive (AWD), SXT AWD, R/T (for Road and Track) and R/T Scat Pack, as well as the peerless SRT Hellcat for those who really want to push the envelope of speed and power. The Hellcat has 200 MPH on the speedometer and 700 horsepower to take you as close to the red line as you dare to go.

The 2016 Chevy Impala, on the other hand, is pretty straight forward. There's the base model LS, the 1LT, 2LT and 2LTZ. All four models are front wheel drive and have six speed automatic transmissions. The Impala is more about value for your money and less about the thrill of the road. Most of the next level features like rear view camera and radar-assisted traffic alerts only kick in once you bump up to the 2LTZ.

Performance

As soon as you hear the roar of the Dodge Charger engine, you know there's unbridled power at your fingertips. That's because the Dodge Charger has 4 different engine configurations to choose from. For best in class fuel economy, there's the 3.6 Liter Pentastar V6. Then, there's the 370 horsepower HEMI V8, the even more powerful 6.4 Liter HEMI V8 engine and the super-charged Hellcat SRT HEMI V8. There's no sugar-coating it; the Hellcat's a beast. Dodge automakers boast that the Hellcat is the "quickest, fastest and most powerful sedan ever."

Let's take a look under the hood of the 2016 Chevy Impala. There are two engine types available. There's a 2.5 Liter 4-cylinder engine that is durable and gets great fuel economy. Then, there's the 3.6 Liter V6 powertrain that gets a surprising 305 horsepower. That's just enough power to raise your heart rate and keep you zipping around the city with ease.

Safety Features

The safety features of the 2016 Dodge Charger are primarily enhanced driving functions. It's got five different high performance brake options and four different suspension configurations. It also covers the bases with front and rear crumple zones, side impact steel beams and airbags around the cabin. The Chevy Impala took a more defensive approach. It has available Lane Change Alert and warnings for all your blind sides. It also has six months of OnStar emergency response protection and a rear view camera for the 2LTZ trim.