Compare the2023 Dodge ChallengerVS 2023 BMW 8 Series

The Challenger 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 8 Series doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Challenger and the 8 Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Challenger 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 8 Series. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 8 Series ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 7 times as many Dodge dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Challenger’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

The Challenger has more powerful engines than the 8 Series:

As tested in Motor Trend the Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the M850i 4.4 turbo V8 (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Challenger 3.6 DOHC V6 AWD gets better fuel mileage than the M850i Coupe (18 city/27 hwy vs. 17 city/24 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Challenger 5.7/6.4 V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The 8 Series doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Challenger offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The 8 Series doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Challenger stops much shorter than the 8 Series:

For better traction, the Challenger SRT Super Stock’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 8 Series (315/40R18 vs. 245/35R20).

The Challenger has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R/T Scat Pack/Hellcat/Super Stock) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 8 Series; 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 8 Series don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Challenger’s wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the 8 Series (116 inches vs. 111.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Challenger SXT/GT/R/T’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the 8 Series’ (37.4 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The Challenger Supercharged/Widebody’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the 8 Series xDrive’s (38.7 feet vs. 39 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Challenger a Compact car, while the 8 Series Coupe is rated a Subcompact.

The Challenger has standard seating for 5 passengers; the 8 Series can only carry 4.

The Challenger has 12.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 8 Series (93.7 vs. 81).

The Challenger has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 3.5 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom and 7 inches more rear shoulder room than the 8 Series Coupe.

The Challenger has a much larger trunk than the 8 Series Coupe (16.2 vs. 14.8 cubic feet).

The Challenger’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 8 Series does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Challenger has standard extendable sun visors. The 8 Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Challenger has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 8 Series doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Dodge Challenger outsold the BMW 8 Series by almost 8 to one during 2022.