Compare the2022 Dodge Charger SRTVS 2021 Mercedes AMG A-Class

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Dodge Charger SRT are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes AMG A-Class doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Charger SRT 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 AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Charger SRT’s standard cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Charger SRT and the AMG A-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Dodge Charger SRT weighs 1130 to 1133 pounds more than the Mercedes AMG A-Class. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Charger SRT 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the AMG A-Class. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the AMG A-Class 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 SRT’s warranty.

The Dodge Charger SRT’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the AMG A-Class’ engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The battery on the Charger SRT is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Charger SRT’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The AMG A-Class’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 SRT’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 415 more horsepower (717 vs. 302) and 355 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 295) than the AMG A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Charger SRT Redeye’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 495 more horsepower (797 vs. 302) and 412 lbs.-ft. more torque (707 vs. 295) than the AMG A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Dodge Charger SRT (702 HP engine) is faster than the Mercedes AMG A-Class:

The Charger SRT has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG A-Class (18.5 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Charger SRT 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 AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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

For better stopping power the Charger SRT’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG A-Class:

The Charger SRT stops shorter than the AMG A-Class:

For better traction, the Charger SRT has larger tires than the AMG A-Class (305/35R20 vs. 235/40R18).

The Charger SRT’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG A-Class’ standard 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Charger SRT has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the AMG A-Class. The AMG A-Class’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger SRT’s wheelbase is 13 inches longer than on the AMG A-Class (120.4 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Charger SRT is 3.7 inches wider in the front and 3.5 inches wider in the rear than on the AMG A-Class.

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

The Charger SRT has 11.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG A-Class (104.7 vs. 93).

The Charger SRT has 4.4 inches more front shoulder room, 6.2 inches more rear legroom and 3.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG A-Class.

The Charger SRT has a much larger trunk than the AMG A-Class (16.5 vs. 8.6 cubic feet).

The engine in the Charger SRT is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the AMG A-Class. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Charger SRT’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 AMG A-Class does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Charger SRT to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Charger SRT has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Charger SRT has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the AMG A-Class. The Charger SRT also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG A-Class.

The Charger SRT has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the AMG A-Class.