Compare the2022 Dodge ChargerVS 2021 Audi A6

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 A6 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 A6 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Charger and the A6 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.

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 Audi A6:

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 Audi A6:

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

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Charger 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A6. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A6 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 8 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Audi 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 30 points higher than the A6.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Charger third among large cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The A6 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 Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 101 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge 17th in reliability. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 4 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Charger has more powerful engines than the A6:

As tested in Motor Trend the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the A6 55 TFSI 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Charger R/T’s fuel efficiency. The A6 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 A6 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Dodge Charger, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6.

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 A6 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Charger Daytona/Widebody’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A6:

The Charger stops shorter than the A6:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A6 (305/35R20 vs. 255/40R20).

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 A6’s optional 40 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the A6 (120.2 inches vs. 115.1 inches).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger a Large car, while the A6 is rated a Mid-size.

The Charger has 5.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A6 (104.7 vs. 99).

The Charger has .6 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the A6.

The Charger has a much larger trunk than the A6 (16.5 vs. 13.7 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 A6 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 A6 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 A6 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Charger is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A6 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Charger owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Charger will cost $125 to $4315 less than the A6 over a five-year period.

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 A6 only retains 39.04% to 40.15%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Charger is less expensive to operate than the A6 because it costs $346 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Charger than the A6, including $379 less for a water pump, $692 less for a starter, $1488 less for fuel injection, $271 less for front struts and $16 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 $22568 to $33132 less than for the Audi A6.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Dodge Charger and the Audi A6, based on reliability, safety and performance.