Compare the2023 Dodge ChargerVS 2023 Mercedes E-Class Sedan

Both the Charger and the E-Class Sedan 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 Mercedes E-Class Sedan:

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 Mercedes E-Class Sedan:

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

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

There are over 6 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Charger’s warranty.

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 Charger’s reliability 41 points higher than the E-Class Sedan.

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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 19th, 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 Mercedes 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, Mercedes is rated below average.

The Charger has more powerful engines than the E-Class Sedan:

As tested in Car and Driver the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid:

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

The Charger has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the E-Class Sedan 350’s standard fuel tank (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 E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Charger Daytona/Widebody’s brake rotors are larger than those on the E-Class Sedan:

The Charger stops much shorter than the E-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the E-Class Sedan (305/35R20 vs. 245/45R18).

The Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the E 350 Sedan’s optional 40 series tires.

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

The Charger has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R/T/Scat Pack) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the E-Class Sedan; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the E-Class Sedan (120 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Charger is 1 inch wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the E-Class Sedan.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .95 G’s, while the E 450 4MATIC Sedan pulls only .84 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 E 450 4MATIC Sedan (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Charger’s turning circle is tighter than the E-Class Sedan’s:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger a Large car, while the E-Class Sedan is rated a Mid-size.

The Charger has 6.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the E-Class Sedan (104.7 vs. 98).

The Charger has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the E-Class Sedan.

The Charger has a much larger trunk than the E-Class Sedan (16.5 vs. 13.1 cubic feet).

The Charger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Charger’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The E-Class Sedan does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan only retains 40.76% to 42.76%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Charger is less expensive to operate than the E-Class Sedan because it costs $391 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Charger than the E-Class Sedan, including $480 less for a water pump, $39 less for a muffler, $633 less for a starter, $320 less for fuel injection, $156 less for front struts, $519 less for a timing belt/chain and $575 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 $7843 to $25146 less than for the Mercedes E-Class Sedan.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Dodge Charger, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes E-Class Sedan isn't recommended.

The Dodge Charger outsold the Mercedes E-Class/CLS by over four to one during 2022.