Compare the2023 Dodge ChargerVS 2023 BMW 3 Series Sedan

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Dodge Charger are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Charger and the 3 Series Sedan 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 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, results indicate that the Dodge Charger is safer than the BMW 3 Series Sedan:

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 BMW covers the 3 Series Sedan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 3 Series Sedan 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 Charger’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Charger has a standard 730-amp battery. The 3 Series Sedan’s 720-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 17 points higher than the 3 Series Sedan.

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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 2 places higher in reliability than BMW.

The Charger has more powerful engines than the 3 Series Sedan:

As tested in Car and Driver the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the 330i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Charger R/T’s fuel efficiency. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Charger has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan (18.5 vs. 15.6 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 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Charger Daytona/Widebody’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 3 Series Sedan:

The Charger stops much shorter than the 3 Series Sedan:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 3 Series Sedan (305/35R20 vs. 225/40R19).

The Charger Scat Pack 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 3 Series Sedan’s optional 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Charger R/T has standard 20-inch wheels. The 3 Series Sedan’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the 3 Series Sedan (120 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Charger is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 3 Series Sedan.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .95 G’s, while the 330i xDrive pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Charger Scat Pack executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the 330i xDrive (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.6 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Charger Scat Pack’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan’s (37.5 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan’s (39 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Charger has 3.5 inches more front shoulder room, 4.9 inches more rear legroom and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the 3 Series Sedan.

The Charger has a much larger trunk than the 3 Series Sedan (16.5 vs. 13 cubic feet).

The Charger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The 3 Series Sedan has no towing capacity.

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 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 3 Series Sedan 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 3 Series Sedan does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Charger keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 3 Series Sedan is rated higher at a number “3” 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 3 Series Sedan only retains 44.47% to 45.8%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Charger is less expensive to operate than the 3 Series Sedan because it costs $318 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Charger than the 3 Series Sedan, including $473 less for a water pump, $405 less for a starter, $298 less for fuel injection, $433 less for front struts, $582 less for a timing belt/chain and $265 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Charger will be $1354 to $7861 less than for the BMW 3 Series Sedan.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Dodge Charger and the BMW 3 Series Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Dodge Charger outsold the BMW 3 Series by 70% during the 2021 model year.