Compare the2023 Dodge Charger SRTVS 2023 Volkswagen Golf R

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

The Dodge Charger SRT weighs 1110 to 1190 pounds more than the Volkswagen Golf R. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Charger SRT 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Golf R. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Golf R ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Charger SRT’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Golf R’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are almost 4 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Charger SRT’s warranty.

The battery on the Charger SRT is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Charger SRT’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Golf R’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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 87 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th, 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 Volkswagen 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, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 14 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Charger SRT has more powerful engines than the Golf R:

As tested in Car and Driver the Dodge Charger SRT (702 HP engine) is faster than the Golf R DSG (automatics tested):

The Charger SRT has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Golf R (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 Golf R doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Dodge Charger SRT comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Golf R.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Dodge Charger SRT, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Golf R.

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

The Charger SRT stops shorter than the Golf R:

For better traction, the Charger SRT has larger tires than the Golf R (305/35R20 vs. 235/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Charger SRT has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 19-inch wheels are available on the Golf R.

The Charger SRT has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Golf R’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger SRT’s wheelbase is 16.5 inches longer than on the Golf R (120 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Charger SRT is 4.9 inches wider in the front and 5.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Golf R.

The Charger SRT Hellcat executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Golf R (24.4 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 24.9 seconds @ .77 average G’s).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Charger SRT has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Golf R uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger SRT a Large car, while the Golf R is rated a Compact.

The Charger SRT has 12.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Golf R (104.7 vs. 91.9).

The Charger SRT has .1 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 2.8 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 5.1 inches more rear legroom, 9.8 inches more rear hip room and 4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Golf R.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Charger SRT. The Golf R doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

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 Golf R doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Charger SRT’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Golf R.

The Dodge Charger outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by over six to one during the 2021 model year.