Compare the2023 Dodge ChallengerVS 2023 Volkswagen Golf R

Both the Challenger and the Golf R 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 all wheel drive, collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Challenger 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 Challenger’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 Challenger’s warranty.

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

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 Challenger’s reliability 20 points higher than the Golf R.

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.

The Challenger has more powerful engines than the Golf R:

As tested in Car and Driver the Dodge Challenger is faster than the Golf R Manual (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Golf R DSG (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Challenger 5.7/6.4 V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The Golf R doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

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

The Dodge Challenger 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 Challenger, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Golf R.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the Challenger has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift, based on a value pre-entered by the driver. The Golf R doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

For better stopping power the Challenger Hellcat/Redeye’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Golf R:

The Challenger stops much shorter than the Golf R:

For better traction, the Challenger SRT Super Stock’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Golf R (315/40R18 vs. 235/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Challenger offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Golf R’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Challenger 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 Challenger’s wheelbase is 12.5 inches longer than on the Golf R (116 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Challenger is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 4.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Golf R.

The Challenger’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Golf R’s (59.2% to 40.8%). This gives the Challenger more stable handling and braking.

The SRT Hellcat Redeye handles at .98 G’s, while the Golf R pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Challenger SXT/GT/R/T’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Golf R’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet). The Challenger Supercharged/Widebody’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Golf R’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

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

The Challenger has .8 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room and 1.5 inches more rear hip 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 Challenger. The Golf R doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the Challenger 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 Challenger Automatic offers a 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.

On a hot day the Challenger’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Golf R can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Challenger is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Golf R doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Dodge Challenger outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by almost seven to one during 2022.