Compare the2023 Dodge ChargerVS 2023 Audi A4

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Charger offers optional ParkSense that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A4 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Charger and the A4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Dodge Charger is safer than the Audi A4:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Dodge Charger is safer than the Audi A4:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Charger 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A4 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 Charger’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Charger has a standard 160-amp alternator (180-amp - Charger AWD/GT/R/T and 220 Scat Pack). The A4’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Charger has a standard 730-amp battery. The A4’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 Charger has more powerful engines than the A4:

As tested in Car and Driver the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the A4 45 TFSI:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Charger R/T’s fuel efficiency. The A4 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Charger has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the A4 (18.5 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Charger 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 A4 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Dodge Charger, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A4.

For better stopping power the Charger’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A4:

The Charger stops much shorter than the A4:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A4 (305/35R20 vs. 245/40R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Charger R/T has standard 20-inch wheels. The A4’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Charger offers an available 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 A4’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 9 inches longer than on the A4 (120 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Charger is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A4.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .92 G’s, while the A4 Premium pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Charger Scat Pack executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the A4 Premium (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Charger Scat Pack’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the A4’s (37.5 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Charger has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The A4 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger a Large car, while the A4 is rated a Compact.

The Charger has 12.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A4 (104.7 vs. 92).

The Charger has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 4.4 inches more rear legroom and 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4.

The Charger has a much larger trunk than the A4 (16.5 vs. 12 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Sway Damping on the Charger uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The A4 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Charger has a standard 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, with the optional automatic climate control feature. The A4 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Charger’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The A4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Charger’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 A4 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Charger is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A4 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Charger owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Charger with a number “1” insurance rate while the A4 is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

The Charger will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Charger will retain 51.11% to 58.82% of its original price after five years, while the A4 only retains 43.4% to 44.48%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Charger is less expensive to operate than the A4 because it costs $346 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Charger than the A4, including $428 less for a water pump, $616 less for a starter, $162 less for fuel injection, $1 less for a fuel pump, $666 less for front struts and $90 less for a timing belt/chain.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Dodge Charger and the Audi A4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Dodge Charger outsold the Audi A4/S4 by almost five to one during the 2021 model year.