Compare the2022 Dodge ChargerVS 2021 Mercedes E-Class Sedan

Both the Charger and the E-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, 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 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 E-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 E-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 E-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.

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 29 points higher than the E-Class Sedan.

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 has more powerful engines than the E-Class Sedan:

As tested in Car and Driver the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder 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 E-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 E-Class Sedan 300’s standard fuel tank (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 E-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 E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Charger stops much shorter than the E-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the E-Class Sedan (305/35R20 vs. 245/40R19).

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 E-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 E-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 E-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 E-Class Sedan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the E-Class Sedan (120.2 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Charger is 1 inch wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the E-Class Sedan.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .95 G’s, while the E 450 4MATIC Sedan pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Charger Scat Pack executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

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

The Charger has 6.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the E-Class Sedan (104.7 vs. 98).

The Charger has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the E-Class Sedan.

The Charger has a much larger trunk than the E-Class Sedan (16.5 vs. 13.1 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 E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Insurance will cost less for the Charger owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Charger will cost $925 less than the E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan only retains 37.97% to 38.1%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Charger is less expensive to operate than the E-Class Sedan because it costs $391 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Charger than the E-Class Sedan, including $480 less for a water pump, $39 less for a muffler, $633 less for a starter, $320 less for fuel injection, $156 less for front struts, $519 less for a timing belt/chain and $575 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 $22871 to $28669 less than for the Mercedes E-Class Sedan.

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