Compare the2023 Dodge ChallengerVS 2022 Audi S5

Both the Challenger and the S5 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 Audi covers the S5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 8 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Challenger’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Challenger has a standard 160-amp alternator (180-amp - Challenger optional and 220 392/Hellcat). The S5’s standard 110-amp alternator and largest (optional) 150-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Challenger has a standard 730-amp battery. The S5’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 96 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 31st, 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 Audi 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, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 4 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Challenger R/T automatic’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 23 more horsepower (372 vs. 349) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Challenger R/T manual’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 26 more horsepower (375 vs. 349) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Challenger R/T Scat Pack’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 136 more horsepower (485 vs. 349) and 106 lbs.-ft. more torque (475 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Challenger SRT Super Stock’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 458 more horsepower (807 vs. 349) and 338 lbs.-ft. more torque (707 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Audi S5 (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 S5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Challenger has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the S5 (18.5 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Challenger offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The S5 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

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 S5 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Challenger Hellcat/Redeye’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

For better traction, the Challenger SRT Super Stock’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S5 (315/40R18 vs. 265/30R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Challenger’s wheelbase is 7.2 inches longer than on the S5 (116 inches vs. 108.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Challenger is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S5.

The SRT Hellcat Redeye handles at .98 G’s, while the S5 Prestige Coupe pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Challenger a Compact car, while the S5 Coupe is rated a Subcompact.

The Challenger has standard seating for 5 passengers; the S5 can only carry 4.

The Challenger has 9.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S5 Coupe (93.7 vs. 84).

The Challenger has 1.9 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 3.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom and 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the S5 Coupe.

The Challenger has a much larger trunk than the S5 Coupe (16.2 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The Challenger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The S5 has no towing capacity.

The Challenger Automatic offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The S5 doesn’t offer a remote starting 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 S5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Challenger is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Challenger will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Challenger will retain 52.47% to 58.92% of its original price after five years, while the S5 only retains 47.95% to 48.34%.

The Dodge Challenger outsold the Audi A5/S5/RS 5 by over three to one during the 2021 model year.