Compare the2023 Dodge Charger SRTVS 2023 Audi S8

The Charger SRT 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 S8 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Charger SRT has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the S8’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Charger SRT has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the S8.

Both the Charger SRT and the S8 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 and rearview cameras.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Charger SRT 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the S8. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S8 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 SRT’s warranty.

The Dodge Charger SRT’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the S8’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Charger SRT has a standard 730-amp battery. The S8’s 380-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 SRT’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 154 more horsepower (717 vs. 563) and 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 590) than the S8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The Charger SRT Redeye’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 234 more horsepower (797 vs. 563) and 117 lbs.-ft. more torque (707 vs. 590) than the S8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The Charger SRT Charger King Daytona’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 244 more horsepower (807 vs. 563) and 117 lbs.-ft. more torque (707 vs. 590) than the S8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

The Charger SRT 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 S8 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Charger SRT’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The S8 doesn’t offer launch control.

The Charger SRT stops shorter than the S8:

For better traction, the Charger SRT has larger tires than the S8 (305/35R20 vs. 265/35R21).

The Charger SRT’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S8’s standard 40 series tires.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Charger SRT is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the S8.

For better maneuverability, the Charger SRT’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the S8’s (39 feet vs. 42.3 feet).

The Dodge Charger SRT may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 pounds less than the Audi S8.

The Charger SRT is 8 inches shorter than the S8, making the Charger SRT easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Charger SRT has .3 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the S8.

The Charger SRT has a much larger trunk than the S8 (16.5 vs. 12.5 cubic feet).

The Charger SRT’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The S8 doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The Charger SRT 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. The S8 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Charger SRT’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 S8 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Charger SRT’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The S8’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 SRT to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The S8 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Dodge Charger outsold the Audi A8/S8 by almost 35 to one during the 2021 model year.