Compare the2023 Dodge ChargerVS 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

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 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 8 Series Gran Coupe 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 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Charger and the 8 Series Gran Coupe 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.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Charger 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 8 Series Gran Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 8 Series Gran Coupe 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.

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 25 points higher than the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

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.

As tested in Motor Trend the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the 840i Gran Coupe 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Charger gets better mileage than the 8 Series Gran Coupe:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Charger R/T’s fuel efficiency. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

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 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Charger stops shorter than the 8 Series Gran Coupe:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 8 Series Gran Coupe (305/35R20 vs. 245/35R21).

The Charger has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R/T/Scat Pack) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 8 Series Gran Coupe; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the 8 Series Gran Coupe don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For better maneuverability, the Charger’s turning circle is tighter than the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s:

The Dodge Charger may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 450 pounds less than the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger a Large car, while the 8 Series Gran Coupe is rated a Mid-size.

The Charger has 4.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 8 Series Gran Coupe (104.7 vs. 100).

The Charger has 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 3.5 inches more rear legroom and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

The Charger has a larger trunk than the 8 Series Gran Coupe (16.5 vs. 15.5 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 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 8 Series Gran Coupe 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 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Charger has standard extendable sun visors. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Charger has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Insurance will cost less for the Charger owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Charger will cost $5150 less than the 8 Series Gran Coupe over a five-year period.

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 8 Series Gran Coupe only retains 41.33% to 47.39%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Charger will be $51406 to $66637 less than for the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe.

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

The Dodge Charger outsold the BMW 8 Series by almost 11 to one during the 2021 model year.