Compare the2023 Dodge ChargerVS 2023 Lexus IS

The Charger 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 IS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Charger and the IS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Dodge Charger is safer than the Lexus IS:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Dodge Charger is safer than the Lexus IS:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 10 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Charger’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Charger’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the IS’ camshafts. If the IS’ belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The battery on the Charger is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Charger’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The IS’ 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 Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 6th.

The Charger has more powerful engines than the IS:

As tested in Car and Driver the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the IS 500 5.0 DOHC V8:

As tested in Motor Trend the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the IS 350 F Sport 3.5 DOHC V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Charger gets better mileage than the IS:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Charger R/T’s fuel efficiency. The IS doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Charger has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the IS (18.5 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Charger 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 IS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Charger Scat Pack’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The IS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Charger Daytona/Widebody’s brake rotors are larger than those on the IS:

The Charger stops much shorter than the IS:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the IS (305/35R20 vs. 235/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Charger R/T has standard 20-inch wheels. The IS’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than on the IS (120 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Charger is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the IS.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .95 G’s, while the IS 500 Performance pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Charger Scat Pack executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the IS 300 AWD (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

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

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

The Charger has 14.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the IS (104.7 vs. 90.2).

The Charger has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 7.9 inches more rear legroom, 2.1 inches more rear hip room and 4.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS.

The Charger has a much larger trunk than the IS (16.5 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

The Charger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The IS has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Damping on the Charger uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The IS doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The power windows standard on both the Charger and the IS have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Charger is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The IS prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Charger’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The IS’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Charger’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The IS’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Charger to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The IS 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 has standard extendable sun visors. The IS doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the Charger and the IS offer optional heated front seats. The Charger also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the IS.

Insurance will cost less for the Charger owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Charger with a number “1” insurance rate while the IS is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

The Charger will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Charger will retain 51.11% to 58.82% of its original price after five years, while the IS only retains 44.72% to 48.44%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Charger is less expensive to operate than the IS because it costs $128 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Charger than the IS, including $260 less for a water pump, $777 less for a starter, $460 less for fuel injection, $196 less for front struts, $708 less for a timing belt/chain and $854 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Charger will be $7669 to $15508 less than for the Lexus IS.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Dodge Charger and the Lexus IS, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Dodge Charger outsold the Lexus IS by almost four to one during 2022.