Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG C-Class CoupeVS 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
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG C-Class Coupe have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Dodge Challenger doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The AMG C-Class Coupe’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Challenger doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes AMG C-Class Coupe 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.

Using vehicle speed sensors, smart airbags in the AMG C-Class Coupe deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The AMG C-Class Coupe’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Challenger’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The AMG C-Class Coupe has standard Active Brake Assist, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Challenger offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

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

The AMG C-Class Coupe’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Challenger doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The AMG C-Class Coupe offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Challenger only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The AMG C-Class Coupe 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.

The AMG C-Class Coupe’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Challenger doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG C-Class Coupe 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, rearview cameras and available rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

The AMG C-Class Coupe 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.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the AMG C-Class Coupe has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

Engine

The AMG C-Class Coupe’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 82 more horsepower (385 vs. 303) and 116 lbs.-ft. more torque (384 vs. 268) than the Challenger’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The AMG C-Class Coupe’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 13 more horsepower (385 vs. 372) than the Challenger R/T automatic’s standard 5.7 V8. The AMG C-Class Coupe’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 10 more horsepower (385 vs. 375) than the Challenger R/T manual’s standard 5.7 V8.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the AMG C-Class Coupe’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.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG C-Class Coupe higher (5 out of 10) than the Dodge Challenger (1 to 3). This means the AMG C-Class Coupe produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Challenger every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG C-Class Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Challenger.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the AMG C-Class Coupe’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Challenger:

	AMG C-Class Coupe	Challenger
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	12.6 inches

The AMG C-Class Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Challenger SXT are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the AMG C-Class Coupe has larger standard rear tires than the Challenger (245/40R18 vs. 235/55R18).

The AMG C 43 Coupe’s standard 225/45R18 front and 245/40R18 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Challenger SXT’s standard 55 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the AMG C-Class Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Challenger doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The AMG C-Class Coupe’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Challenger doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

Chassis

The AMG C-Class Coupe is 1 foot shorter than the Challenger, making the AMG C-Class Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The AMG C-Class Coupe is 5.3 inches narrower on average than the Challenger, making the AMG C-Class Coupe easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The design of the Mercedes AMG C-Class Coupe amounts to more than styling. The AMG C-Class Coupe has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .3 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Challenger (.337 to .398). A more efficient exterior helps the AMG C-Class Coupe go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the AMG C-Class Coupe get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the AMG C-Class Coupe has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Cargo Capacity

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the AMG C-Class offers cargo security. The Challenger’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the AMG C-Class Coupe’s power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Challenger doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Challenger, the AMG C-Class Coupe has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The AMG C-Class Coupe’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. The Challenger doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The AMG C-Class Coupe offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Challenger doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The AMG C-Class Coupe’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 AMG C-Class Coupe’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 AMG C-Class Coupe 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 AMG C-Class Coupe 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 AMG C-Class Coupe’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.

The AMG C-Class Coupe’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 AMG C-Class Coupe’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 see further while navigating curves, the AMG C-Class Coupe offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Challenger doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the AMG C-Class Coupe 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 AMG C-Class Coupe’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 Mercedes AMG C-Class offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Challenger doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The AMG C-Class Coupe’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Challenger doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Mercedes AMG C-Class comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Dodge Challenger isn’t available as a convertible or sedan.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the AMG C-Class Coupe is less expensive to operate than the Challenger because typical repairs cost much less on the AMG C-Class Coupe than the Challenger, including $29 less for a muffler, $257 less for front brake pads, $274 less for a timing belt/chain and $391 less for a power steering pump.

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