Compare the2022 BMW M4VS 2021 Dodge Challenger

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

Safety

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The M4’s 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 M4 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 M4 has standard Front 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 M4 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M4 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Challenger doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M4’s 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 M4 has standard 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 M4 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Challenger’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the M4 has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the Challenger.

The M4’s 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 M4 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 and rearview cameras.

Warranty

The M4 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 M4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Challenger’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M4 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 M4 have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the M4 has a 209-amp alternator. The Challenger’s standard 160-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the M4 has a standard 900-amp battery. The Challenger’s 730-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 Car and Driver the BMW M4 3.0 is faster than the Dodge Challenger (manual transmissions tested):

	M4	Challenger R/T Scat Pack	Challenger SRT Widebody Hellcat
Zero to 30 MPH	1.5 sec	1.9 sec	n/a
Zero to 60 MPH	3.8 sec	4.4 sec	3.9 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	5.9 sec	6.9 sec	n/a
Zero to 100 MPH	8.3 sec	10.2 sec	8.1 sec
Quarter Mile	12 sec	12.9 sec	11.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	121 MPH	113 MPH	124 MPH
Top Speed	180 MPH	176 MPH	199 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the M4 gets better fuel mileage than the Challenger:

			MPG
M4
RWD	Manual	3.0 Turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/23 hwy
	Auto	3.0 Turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/23 hwy
AWD		3.0 Turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/22 hwy
Challenger
	Manual	5.7 DOHC V8	15 city/23 hwy
		6.4 DOHC V8	13 city/23 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the M4’s 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 M4’s 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 M4 higher (5 out of 10) than the Dodge Challenger (1 to 3). This means the M4 produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Challenger every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the M4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Challenger:

	M4	M4 CCB	Challenger SXT	Challenger Hellcat/Redeye
Front Rotors	15 inches	16 inches	12.6 inches	15.7 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	15 inches	12.6 inches	13.8 inches

The M4’s 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 M4 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Challenger doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M4 stops much shorter than the Challenger:

	M4	Challenger
70 to 0 MPH	146 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the M4 has larger tires than the Challenger (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. 235/55R18).

The M4’s standard 275/40R18 front and 285/35R19 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 M4’s optional 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Challenger Widebody’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M4 has standard 19-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Challenger SXT.

Chassis

The M4 is 8.4 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the M4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW M4 amounts to more than styling. The M4 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .34 Cd. That is lower than the Challenger (.337 to .398). A more efficient exterior helps the M4 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the M4 get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the M4 has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The M4’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The Challenger doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M4 Coupe is quieter than the Challenger SRT Hellcat:

	M4	Challenger
At idle	45 dB	59 dB
Full-Throttle	83 dB	87 dB
70 MPH Cruising	69 dB	76 dB

Passenger Space

The M4 Coupe has 1 inch more front headroom and 1.6 inches more rear legroom than the Challenger.

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the M4’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Challenger doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M4 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 M4’s trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The M4 also offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. 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

The M4 offers an optional 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 M4’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Challenger’s parking brake has to released manually.

The M4’s front power windows 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 M4 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 M4 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 M4’s 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 M4 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Challenger doesn’t offer cornering lights. The M4 also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the M4 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 M4’s 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.

Model Availability

The BMW M4 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Dodge Challenger isn’t available as a convertible.

Recommendations

The 4 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2014. The Challenger has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The M3/M4 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 13 of the last 25 years. The Challenger has never been an “All Star.”