Compare the2022 BMW 8 SeriesVS 2021 Dodge Challenger

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The 8 Series’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Challenger doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW 8 Series has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Challenger doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 8 Series has standard City Collision Mitigation, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Challenger offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The 8 Series has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Challenger doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The 8 Series’ lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Challenger doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 8 Series offers optional Park Distance Control to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Challenger doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The 8 Series’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Challenger doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 8 Series and the Challenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

The 8 Series comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Challenger’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 8 Series’ corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Challenger’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Challenger.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the 8 Series have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 8 Series first among large premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Challenger isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is ranked 17th.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the M850i 4.4 turbo V8 is faster than the Dodge Challenger (automatics tested):

	8 Series	Challenger R/T Scat Pack	Challenger SRT Widebody Hellcat
Zero to 60 MPH	3.4 sec	4.2 sec	3.7 sec
Quarter Mile	11.7 sec	12.6 sec	11.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	120.4 MPH	112.3 MPH	125.4 MPH

In a Motor Trend race course test, the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe was clocked 3.3 seconds faster than the Dodge SRT Hellcat Redeye (99.4 sec. vs. 102.7 sec.).

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the Challenger:

			MPG
8 Series Coupe
	RWD	3.0 Turbo 6-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
	AWD	3.0 Turbo 6-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
		M850i 4.4 Turbo V8	17 city/25 hwy
Challenger
RWD	Manual	5.7 DOHC V8	15 city/23 hwy
		6.4 DOHC V8	14 city/23 hwy
	Auto	5.7 DOHC V8	16 city/25 hwy
		6.4 DOHC V8	15 city/24 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Convertible gets better fuel mileage than the Challenger:

			MPG
8 Series Convertible
	RWD	3.0 Turbo 6-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	3.0 Turbo 6-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
		M850i 4.4 Turbo V8	17 city/24 hwy
Challenger
RWD	Manual	5.7 DOHC V8	15 city/23 hwy
		6.4 DOHC V8	14 city/23 hwy
	Auto	5.7 DOHC V8	16 city/25 hwy
		6.4 DOHC V8	15 city/24 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the 8 Series’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Challenger doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the 8 Series’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Challenger doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 8 Series higher (3 out of 10) than the Dodge Challenger (1 to 3). This means the 8 Series produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Challenger every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 8 Series’ standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Challenger:

	8 Series	Challenger
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12.6 inches

The 8 Series’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Challenger SXT are solid, not vented.

The 8 Series stops much shorter than the Challenger:

	8 Series	Challenger
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	107 feet	109 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 8 Series has larger tires than the Challenger (F:245/35R20 & R:275/30R20 vs. 235/55R18).

The 8 Series’ standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Challenger SXT’s standard 55 series tires. The 8 Series’ optional 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Challenger Widebody’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 8 Series has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Challenger SXT.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 8 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Challenger doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The 8 Series M850i has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Challenger doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The M850i offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Dodge doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Challenger.

The M850i xDrive Coupe handles at .98 G’s, while the Challenger SXT pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M850i xDrive Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Challenger Scat Pack (24 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .81 average G’s).

Chassis

The 8 Series is 6.4 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the 8 Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW 8 Series amounts to more than styling. The 8 Series offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .31 to .33 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Challenger (.337 to .398) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the 8 Series get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the 8 Series has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the 8 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Challenger doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 8 Series’ rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Challenger doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its coupe body style, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 8 Series offers cargo security. The Challenger’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 8 Series’ power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Challenger doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 42% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Challenger, the 8 Series has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The 8 Series’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Challenger doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 8 Series has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Challenger doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 8 Series’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Challenger’s parking brake has to released manually.

The 8 Series’ front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Challenger’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 8 Series the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Challenger can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 8 Series has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Challenger doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The 8 Series’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Challenger’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 8 Series has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Challenger doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 8 Series also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the 8 Series is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Challenger’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 8 Series’ standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Challenger has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The 8 Series has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Challenger.

Model Availability

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Dodge Challenger isn’t available as a convertible or sedan.

Recommendations

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its December 2019 issue and they ranked the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe higher than the Dodge SRT Hellcat Redeye.