Compare the2023 Dodge ChallengerVS 2023 Subaru BRZ

The Challenger offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The BRZ doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Challenger and the BRZ 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, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Dodge Challenger weighs 960 to 1666 pounds more than the Subaru BRZ. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

There are almost 4 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Challenger’s warranty.

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

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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 48 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

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 Subaru 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, Subaru is rated below average.

The Challenger’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 75 more horsepower (303 vs. 228) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (268 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Challenger R/T automatic’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 144 more horsepower (372 vs. 228) and 216 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Challenger R/T manual’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 147 more horsepower (375 vs. 228) and 226 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Challenger R/T Scat Pack’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 257 more horsepower (485 vs. 228) and 291 lbs.-ft. more torque (475 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Challenger SRT Demon 170’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 797 more horsepower (1025 vs. 228) and 761 lbs.-ft. more torque (945 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Dodge Challenger is faster than the Subaru BRZ (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Challenger is faster than the Subaru BRZ (automatics tested):

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 BRZ doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Challenger has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the BRZ (18.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Dodge Challenger comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the BRZ.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Dodge Challenger, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the BRZ.

All wheel drive, available in the Challenger, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Subaru BRZ is not available with all wheel drive.

The Challenger R/T Scat Pack/Hellcat/Super Stock’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 BRZ doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Challenger’s brake rotors are larger than those on the BRZ:

The Challenger stops much shorter than the BRZ:

For better traction, the Challenger has larger standard tires than the BRZ (235/55R18 vs. 215/45R17). The Challenger SRT Super Stock’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the BRZ (315/40R18 vs. 215/45R17).

The Challenger 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 BRZ Limited’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Challenger SRT Demon 170 has standard 18-inch front wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the BRZ Premium. The Challenger’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the BRZ Limited.

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 BRZ; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Challenger has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Challenger offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Challenger has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The BRZ doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Challenger’s wheelbase is 14.6 inches longer than on the BRZ (116 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Challenger is 4.5 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the BRZ.

The SRT Hellcat Redeye handles at .98 G’s, while the BRZ Premium pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The SRT Widebody Hellcat Redeye executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the BRZ (24.3 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Challenger has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The BRZ uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Challenger Scat Pack is quieter than the BRZ Limited (85 vs. 89 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Challenger a Compact car, while the BRZ is rated a Minicompact.

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

The Challenger has 16.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the BRZ (93.7 vs. 77.2).

The Challenger has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, 3.6 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom, 2.6 inches more rear hip room and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the BRZ.

The Challenger has a much larger trunk than the BRZ (16.2 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

The Challenger’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The BRZ’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Challenger. The BRZ doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Challenger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The BRZ has no towing capacity.

The Challenger uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The BRZ uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

When two different drivers share the Challenger, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The BRZ doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 BRZ does not have an oil pressure gauge.

On a hot day the Challenger’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the BRZ can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Challenger’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The BRZ’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 BRZ doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Challenger’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the BRZ Limited.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Challenger keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The BRZ doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Challenger’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The BRZ doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Challenger’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The BRZ’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

The Dodge Challenger outsold the Subaru BRZ by over 16 to one during 2022.