Compare the2022 Dodge ChargerVS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

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 C-Class Sedan 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 C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Charger and the C-Class Sedan 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 Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

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 Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

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 Mercedes covers the C-Class Sedan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the C-Class Sedan ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 6 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Charger’s warranty.

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 C-Class Sedan’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Charger third among large cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The C-Class Sedan 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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 25th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 10 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Charger’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 37 more horsepower (292 vs. 255) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Charger GT/SXT AWD’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 45 more horsepower (300 vs. 255) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Charger R/T’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 115 more horsepower (370 vs. 255) and 122 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Charger Scat Pack’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 230 more horsepower (485 vs. 255) and 202 lbs.-ft. more torque (475 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

The Charger has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the C-Class Sedan (18.5 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 C-Class Sedan 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 C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Charger Daytona/Widebody’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Sedan:

The Charger stops shorter than the C-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (305/35R20 vs. 225/40R19).

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 C-Class Sedan’s optional 40 series front tires.

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

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 C-Class Sedan; 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. Some tire options on the C-Class Sedan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The Charger offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The C-Class Sedan’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 8.4 inches longer than on the C-Class Sedan (120.2 inches vs. 111.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Charger is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the C-Class Sedan.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .92 G’s, while the C 300 Sedan 4MATIC pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Charger Scat Pack executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the C 300 Sedan 4MATIC (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

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 C-Class Sedan uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

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

The Charger has 14.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (104.7 vs. 90).

The Charger has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, 4.9 inches more rear legroom and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the C-Class Sedan.

The Charger has a much larger trunk than the C-Class Sedan (16.5 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

The Charger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The C-Class Sedan has no towing capacity.

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 C-Class Sedan 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 C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the Charger and the C-Class Sedan offer available heated front seats. The Charger also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the C-Class Sedan.

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 C-Class Sedan is rated higher at a number “3” 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 C-Class Sedan only retains 41.77% to 42.27%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Charger is less expensive to operate than the C-Class Sedan because it costs $664 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Charger than the C-Class Sedan, including $384 less for a water pump, $317 less for a starter, $147 less for fuel injection, $268 less for a fuel pump, $268 less for front struts and $411 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Charger will be $9314 to $11494 less than for the Mercedes C-Class Sedan.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Dodge Charger and the Mercedes C-Class Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.