Compare the2023 Dodge ChargerVS 2023 Tesla Model S

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Dodge Charger are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Tesla Model S doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 Model S doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Charger offers optional ParkSense that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Model S doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Charger’s optional Rear Cross Path Detection uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model S doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Charger has standard Uconnect 9-1-1, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model S doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Charger and the Model S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and blind spot warning systems.

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 Tesla Model S:

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

There are almost 16 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Tesla 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 45 points higher than the Model S.

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 Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 83 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 28th, below the industry average.

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

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model S (305/35R20 vs. 265/35R21).

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 Model S; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the Model S (120 inches vs. 116.5 inches).

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .95 G’s, while the Model S pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Charger Scat Pack executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Model S (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Charger Scat Pack’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the Model S’ (37.5 feet vs. 40.3 feet). The Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Model S’ (39 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

The Dodge Charger may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Tesla Model S.

The Charger has 10.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Model S (104.7 vs. 94).

The Charger has 1.4 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 4.6 inches more rear legroom, 5.8 inches more rear hip room and 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model S.

The Charger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Model S 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 Model S doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Charger to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model S.

The Charger’s entire steering wheel hub sounds the horn, facilitating hitting the horn in an emergency. The Model S has a small, single button on the steering wheel spoke that can be hard to find quickly in an emergency.

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 Model S’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Charger’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model S doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

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 Model S doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Charger is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Model S doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Charger owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Charger will cost $6635 less than the Model S over a five-year period.

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 Model S only retains 43.76% to 48.08%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Charger is less expensive to operate than the Model S because it costs $73 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Charger than the Model S, including $751 less for a water pump, $151 less for front struts and $778 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 $50183 to $66060 less than for the Tesla Model S.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Dodge Charger, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Tesla Model S isn't recommended.

The Dodge Charger outsold the Tesla Model S by over two to one during 2022.