Compare the2023 Dodge ChargerVS 2023 Honda Accord

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 Accord doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Charger GT/SXT AWD offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Accord doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Charger and the Accord have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 Dodge Charger weighs 408 to 1122 pounds more than the Honda Accord. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 2 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Honda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Charger’s warranty.

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 Accord’s 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 Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 16th, 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 Honda 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, Honda is rated below average.

The Charger has more powerful engines than the Accord:

As tested in Car and Driver the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the Accord Hybrid 2.0 DOHC 4-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 Accord doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Charger has 5.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 12.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Charger has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.8 gallons).

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 Accord doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Charger’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Accord:

The Charger GT/R/T/SXT AWD’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Accord are solid, not vented.

The Charger stops much shorter than the Accord:

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

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 Accord Sport/Touring’s 40 series tires.

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

The Charger offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Accord’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 8.6 inches longer than on the Accord (120 inches vs. 111.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Charger is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Accord.

The Charger’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Accord’s (59% to 41%). This gives the Charger more stable handling and braking.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .95 G’s, while the Accord Touring Hybrid pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Charger Scat Pack’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Accord’s (37.5 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Charger has .8 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear hip room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Accord.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Charger’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Accord’s useful trunk space.

The Charger’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Accord’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

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

The engine in the Charger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Accord. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 Accord doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Charger’s optional 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 Accord offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the Charger’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Accord doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Charger has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Accord EX/Sport/EX-L/Touring.

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