Compare the2022 Dodge ChargerVS 2021 Acura TLX

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 TLX 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 TLX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

There are almost 9 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Charger’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Charger’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the TLX’s camshafts. If the TLX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

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 42 points higher than the TLX.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Charger third among large cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The TLX 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 Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 61 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 18 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Charger has more powerful engines than the TLX:

As tested in Car and Driver the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the TLX Type S 3.0 turbo V6:

As tested in Motor Trend the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the Acura TLX 2.0:

On the EPA test cycle the Charger gets better mileage than the TLX:

The Charger has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the TLX (18.5 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 TLX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Charger Daytona/Widebody’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the TLX:

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 TLX are solid, not vented.

The Charger stops much shorter than the TLX:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the TLX (305/35R20 vs. 255/35R20).

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 TLX; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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

The Charger’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the TLX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Charger more stable handling and braking.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .92 G’s, while the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Charger Scat Pack executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Charger Scat Pack’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the TLX’s (37.5 feet vs. 40.1 feet). The Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the TLX 19/20-inch wheels’ (39 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger a Large car, while the TLX is rated a Compact.

The Charger has 11.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TLX (104.7 vs. 93.4).

The Charger has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 5.2 inches more rear legroom, 1.5 inches more rear hip room and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the TLX.

The Charger has a much larger trunk than the TLX (16.5 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

The Charger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The TLX 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 TLX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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

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 TLX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Charger and the TLX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Charger is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The TLX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 TLX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Charger’s optional 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 TLX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Dodge Charger, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Acura TLX isn't recommended.