Compare the2023 Dodge Charger SRTVS 2023 BMW M5

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Dodge Charger SRT 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 M5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 M5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Charger SRT and the M5 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Charger SRT 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the M5 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 SRT’s warranty.

The Dodge Charger SRT’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the M5’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 SRT has more powerful engines than the M5:

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 M5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the Charger SRT has larger tires than the M5 (305/35R20 vs. 275/40R19).

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 M5’s standard 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Charger SRT has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the M5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger SRT’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the M5 (120 inches vs. 117.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Charger SRT is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than on the M5.

For better maneuverability, the Charger SRT’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the M5’s (39 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger SRT a Large car, while the M5 is rated a Mid-size.

The Charger SRT has .4 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 3.6 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the M5.

The Charger SRT has a much larger trunk than the M5 (16.5 vs. 14 cubic feet).

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 M5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 M5 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 SRT has standard extendable sun visors. The M5 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Charger SRT will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Charger SRT will retain 56.69% to 57.13% of its original price after five years, while the M5 only retains 45.21% to 46.37%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Charger SRT will be $30997 to $52262 less than for the BMW M5.

The Dodge Charger outsold the BMW 5 Series by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.