Compare the2023 Audi TTVS 2023 Dodge Challenger

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi TT have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Dodge Challenger doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Audi TT has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Challenger doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The TT has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Challenger doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the TT. But it costs extra on the Challenger.

The TT has standard Parking System Plus to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Challenger doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The TT 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 Challenger’s blind spot costs extra.

Both the TT and the Challenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

Warranty

The TT comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Challenger’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The TT’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Challenger’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Audi TT’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Challenger’s 3.6 DOHC V6 engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the TT have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the TT 45 TFSI is faster than the Dodge Challenger V6 (automatics tested):

	TT	Challenger
Zero to 60 MPH	5.2 sec	6.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	14.1 sec	16.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.6 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.8 sec	14.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99 MPH	95 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the TT gets better mileage than the Challenger:

			MPG
TT
AWD	Auto	TTS 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
Challenger
RWD	Manual	6.4 OHV V8	14 city/23 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	15 city/23 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/30 hwy
		6.4 OHV V8	15 city/24 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	16 city/25 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/22 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/22 hwy
		Widebody 6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
		Widebody 6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/27 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the TT (except RS)’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Challenger doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi TT uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Challenger R/T manual requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The TT 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 Challenger doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi TT higher (3 to 7 out of 10) than the Dodge Challenger (1 to 3). This means the TT produces up to 47 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Challenger every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Audi TT at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Dodge Challenger is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

Transmission

The TT offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Challenger doesn’t offer an SMG.

Brakes and Stopping

The TT RS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Challenger doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The TT stops much shorter than the Challenger:

	TT	Challenger
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	103 feet	109 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the TT has larger standard tires than the Challenger (245/40R18 vs. 235/55R18).

The TT 45 TSFI’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Challenger SXT’s standard 55 series tires. The TT’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Challenger Widebody’s 35 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The TT 45 TSFI Coupe handles at .98 G’s, while the Challenger SXT pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The TT 45 TSFI Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Challenger Scat Pack (24.6 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .81 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the TT’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Challenger SXT/GT/R/T’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The TT’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Challenger Supercharged/Widebody’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

Chassis

The Audi TT may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 1100 pounds less than the Dodge Challenger.

The TT is 2 feet, 8.5 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the TT easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi TT amounts to more than styling. The TT offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .32 to .355 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Challenger (.337 to .398). A more efficient exterior helps the TT go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the TT get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the TT has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the TT 45 TSFI Coupe is quieter than the Challenger SRT Hellcat:

	TT	Challenger
At idle	45 dB	59 dB
Full-Throttle	77 dB	87 dB
70 MPH Cruising	72 dB	76 dB

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the TT Coupe easier. The TT Coupe’s trunk lift-over height is 32.5 inches, while the Challenger’s liftover is 33.2 inches. The TT Roadster’s liftover is only 32.1 inches.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 25% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 21st.

Ergonomics

The TT’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Challenger’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The TT’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Challenger’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the TT the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Challenger can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The TT has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Challenger doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The TT’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Challenger’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the TT to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Challenger doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The TT’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Challenger’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen. The TT’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Challenger’s optional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the TT has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Challenger doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the TT is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Challenger’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The TT’s standard 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 Challenger has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi TT has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Challenger doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Audi TT comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Dodge Challenger isn’t available as a convertible.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi TT, based on reliability, safety and performance.