Compare the2022 Dodge ChargerVS 2022 Toyota Avalon

The Charger GT/SXT AWD offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Avalon doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Charger and the Avalon have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Dodge Charger is safer than the Toyota Avalon:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Dodge Charger is safer than the Toyota Avalon:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 2 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Charger’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Charger has a standard 730-amp battery. The Avalon’s 582-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the Charger is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Charger’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Avalon’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 12 points higher than the Avalon.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Charger third among large cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Avalon isn’t in the top three.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 13th.

The Charger R/T’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 69 more horsepower (370 vs. 301) and 128 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 267) than the Avalon’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The Charger Scat Pack’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 184 more horsepower (485 vs. 301) and 208 lbs.-ft. more torque (475 vs. 267) than the Avalon’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the Toyota Avalon:

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

The Charger has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon XLE’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Charger has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon Limited/Touring’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.8 gallons).

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 Avalon doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Charger Scat Pack’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Avalon doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Charger’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Avalon:

The Charger GT/R/T/SXT AWD’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Avalon are solid, not vented.

The Charger stops much shorter than the Avalon:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Avalon (305/35R20 vs. 235/45R18).

The Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Avalon Touring’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Charger R/T has standard 20-inch wheels. The Avalon’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Charger has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Avalon’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 7.2 inches longer than on the Avalon (120.2 inches vs. 113 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Charger is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Avalon.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .95 G’s, while the Avalon Touring pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Charger Scat Pack executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Avalon Touring (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Charger Scat Pack’s turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the Avalon XLE’s (37.5 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Charger has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Avalon uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger a Large car, while the Avalon is rated a Mid-size.

The Charger has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Avalon.

The Charger has a larger trunk than the Avalon (16.5 vs. 16.1 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Charger. The Avalon doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Charger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Avalon has no towing capacity.

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 Avalon doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Charger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Avalon. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Charger has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior, with the optional automatic climate control feature. The Avalon doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 Avalon does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Charger’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Avalon’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Avalon doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Insurance will cost less for the Charger owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Charger with a number “1” insurance rate while the Avalon is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

The Charger will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Charger will retain 44.89% to 48.58% of its original price after five years, while the Avalon only retains 41.63% to 42.3%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Charger is less expensive to operate than the Avalon because it costs $237 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Charger than the Avalon, including $109 less for a water pump, $314 less for a starter, $232 less for fuel injection, $204 less for front struts and $921 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Charger will be $593 to $2667 less than for the Toyota Avalon.

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