It’s always interesting to see how two stock or mildly modified vehicles stack up against one another in a drag race. Our fellow Canadian car enthusiast, Sam CarLegion has gathered two entry-level sedans with V-6 engines in order to find out who’s quickest. We have a Dodge Charger on one side and a Ford Fusion on the other. Both vehicles have all-wheel drive and V-6 engines, but that’s where the similarities end.

Dodge Charger AWD

With all the V-8 options available for the Dodge Charger and Challenger, it’s easy to forget the Pentastar V-6 is also an option. The V-6 is mated to a ZF, eight-speed automatic. While the engine-gearbox combination is decent, the Charger has a curb weight of 4.205 pounds (1,907 kg).

Ford Fusion Sport

Ford is taking a different approach with regard to extracting performance. At 4,000 pounds (1,814 kg), it’s also lighter than the naturally-aspirated Charger. Its only drawback could be the six-speed automatic, which isn’t as quick as the ZF eight-speed, in the Charger.

The Race

Both cars lined up for three runs – two drag races from a dig and one rolling start from 50 km/h (31 mph). From a dig, Ford’s advantage becomes apparent. In addition to being lighter, the massive torque from the turbocharged engine allows it to get the jump on the Charger and stay there. In the first race, the Fusion Sport beats the Charger by a bus length. The second race is almost the same, although, this time, the Charger was behind by only three-quarters of a bus length.

The rolling race should allow both cars to overcome their weight. It should also favor the more responsive, naturally-aspirated engine in the Dodge. Indeed, it does, since the Charger only loses by about a car length, to the lighter and more powerful Ford. In the end, the Charger still puts up a valiant fight against the Ford. Even without a Hemi V-8, the V-6 Charger is still decently quick, as long as you don’t race other cars, that is.