Compare the2022 Dodge ChargerVS 2021 Volkswagen Arteon

Both the Charger and the Arteon 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.

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

The Charger’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Arteon’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are almost 4 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Volkswagen 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 Arteon’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 24 points higher than the Arteon.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Charger third among large cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Arteon 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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th, 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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge 17th in reliability. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 14 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Charger’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 24 more horsepower (292 vs. 268) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 258) than the Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Charger GT/SXT AWD’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 32 more horsepower (300 vs. 268) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (264 vs. 258) than the Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Charger R/T’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 102 more horsepower (370 vs. 268) and 137 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 258) than the Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Charger Scat Pack’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 217 more horsepower (485 vs. 268) and 217 lbs.-ft. more torque (475 vs. 258) than the Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the Volkswagen Arteon:

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

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

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 Arteon are solid, not vented.

The Charger stops much shorter than the Arteon:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Arteon (305/35R20 vs. 245/45R18).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 8.3 inches longer than on the Arteon (120.2 inches vs. 111.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Charger is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Arteon.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .92 G’s, while the Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion pulls only .84 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 Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Charger Scat Pack’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Arteon’s (37.5 feet vs. 39 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 Arteon uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Charger has 8.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Arteon (104.7 vs. 96.5).

The Charger has .7 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 3 inches more front shoulder room and 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Arteon.

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 Arteon doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Charger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Arteon. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because 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 Arteon 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 Arteon doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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