Compare the2022 Dodge ChargerVS 2022 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Dodge Charger are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Charger has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Charger offers optional ParkSense that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Charger and the 8 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Charger 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 8 Series Gran Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 8 Series Gran Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 7 times as many Dodge dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Charger’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Charger’s reliability 22 points higher than the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Charger third among large cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The 8 Series Gran Coupe isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 2 places higher in reliability than BMW.

As tested in Motor Trend the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the 840i Gran Coupe 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Charger GT/SXT AWD 3.6 V6 gets better fuel mileage than the M850i Gran Coupe 4.4 turbo V8 xDrive (18 city/27 hwy vs. 17 city/24 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Charger R/T’s fuel efficiency. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Charger has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Charger stops shorter than the 8 Series Gran Coupe:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 8 Series Gran Coupe (305/35R20 vs. 245/40R19).

The Charger has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R/T/Scat Pack) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 8 Series Gran Coupe; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the 8 Series Gran Coupe (120.2 inches vs. 119 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Charger’s turning circle is tighter than the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s:

The Dodge Charger may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe.

The Charger has 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 3.5 inches more rear legroom and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

The Charger has a larger trunk than the 8 Series Gran Coupe (16.5 vs. 15.5 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Sway Damping on the Charger uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Charger’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The 8 Series Gran Coupe does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Charger to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Charger has standard extendable sun visors. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Charger has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Insurance will cost less for the Charger owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Charger will cost $4595 to $7545 less than the 8 Series Gran Coupe over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Charger will be $46222 to $65036 less than for the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Dodge Charger, based on reliability, safety and performance.