Compare the2023 Dodge ChargerVS 2023 Audi A7

The Charger 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 A7 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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 A7 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Charger and the A7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 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 A7:

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 A7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A7 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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Charger’s reliability 65 points higher than the A7.

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 R/T’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 35 more horsepower (370 vs. 335) and 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 369) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Charger Scat Pack’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 150 more horsepower (485 vs. 335) and 106 lbs.-ft. more torque (475 vs. 369) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the Audi A7:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Charger R/T’s fuel efficiency. The A7 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

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 A7.

For better stopping power the Charger Daytona/Widebody’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A7:

The Charger stops much shorter than the A7:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A7 (305/35R20 vs. 255/40R20).

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 A7’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the A7 (120 inches vs. 115.2 inches).

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .92 G’s, while the A7 55 TFSI Prestige pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Charger Scat Pack executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the A7 55 TFSI Prestige (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Charger Scat Pack’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the A7’s (37.5 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the A7’s (39 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Dodge Charger may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 pounds less than the Audi A7.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger a Large car, while the A7 is rated a Mid-size.

The Charger has 9.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A7 (104.7 vs. 95).

The Charger has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 3.1 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the A7.

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 A7 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 A7 doesn’t offer a remote starting 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 A7 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Charger’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The A7’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Charger to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The A7 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Charger is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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 A7 only retains 41.94% to 42.65%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Charger will be $18382 to $37669 less than for the Audi A7.

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

The Dodge Charger outsold the Audi A7/S7/RS 7 by over 23 to one during the 2021 model year.