Compare the2023 Dodge ChargerVS 2023 Hyundai Sonata

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 Sonata doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Charger GT/SXT AWD offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Sonata doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Charger and the Sonata 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 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 Hyundai Sonata:

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

There are almost 3 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Hyundai 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 Sonata’s standard 150-amp alternator and largest (1.6T) 130-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

The battery on the Charger is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Charger’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Sonata’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 42 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

The Charger has more powerful engines than the Sonata:

As tested in Car and Driver the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the Sonata N Line 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

As tested in Motor Trend the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the Sonata SEL Plus/Limited 1.6 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 Sonata doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Charger has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sonata SE’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Charger has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.9 gallons).

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 Sonata doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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

The Charger GT/R/T/SXT AWD’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sonata are solid, not vented.

The Charger stops much shorter than the Sonata:

For better traction, the Charger has larger standard tires than the Sonata (215/65R17 vs. 205/65R16). The Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sonata (305/35R20 vs. 245/40R19).

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 Sonata SEL Plus/N Line’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Charger SXT has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Sonata SE. The Charger R/T’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Sonata SEL Plus/N Line.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the Sonata (120 inches vs. 111.8 inches).

The Charger’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Sonata’s (60% to 40%). This gives the Charger more stable handling and braking.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .92 G’s, while the Sonata SEL Plus 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 1.7 seconds quicker than the Sonata SEL Plus (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

The Charger has 1.6 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 5.3 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sonata.

The Charger has a larger trunk than the Sonata (16.5 vs. 16 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Charger’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Sonata’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The Charger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Sonata 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 Sonata doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Charger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Sonata. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 Sonata does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Charger’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sonata’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

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 Sonata doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Charger’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sonata offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Charger and the Sonata offer available heated front seats. The Charger also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Sonata.

The Charger has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line.

Both the Charger and the Sonata offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Charger has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Sonata doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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 Sonata 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 Sonata only retains 46.08% to 47.23%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Charger is less expensive to operate than the Sonata because it costs $264 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Charger than the Sonata, including $15 less for a water pump, $61 less for a starter, $37 less for fuel injection, $79 less for a timing belt/chain and $164 less for a power steering pump.

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

The Dodge Charger outsold the Hyundai Sonata by 428 units during 2020.