Compare the2022 Dodge Charger SRTVS 2021 Mercedes AMG CLS

Both the Charger SRT and the AMG CLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Charger SRT 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the AMG CLS. 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 CLS 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 CLS’ engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 288 more horsepower (717 vs. 429) and 266 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 384) than the AMG CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Charger SRT Redeye’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 368 more horsepower (797 vs. 429) and 323 lbs.-ft. more torque (707 vs. 384) than the AMG CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Charger SRT (702 HP engine) is faster than the Mercedes AMG CLS:

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 CLS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Charger SRT’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 AMG CLS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Charger SRT’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG CLS:

The Charger SRT stops much shorter than the AMG CLS:

For better traction, the Charger SRT has larger tires than the AMG CLS (305/35R20 vs. 245/40R19).

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 CLS’ standard 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Charger SRT has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the AMG CLS.

The Charger SRT has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The AMG CLS’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger SRT’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the AMG CLS (120.4 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

The Charger SRT Hellcat handles at .94 G’s, while the AMG CLS 53 pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Charger SRT Hellcat executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the AMG CLS 53 (24.4 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

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

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

The Charger SRT has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 5.1 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG CLS.

The Charger SRT has a much larger trunk than the AMG CLS (16.5 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

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 CLS does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 CLS.