Compare the2023 Dodge Charger SRTVS 2023 Audi RS 5 Sportback

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Charger SRT has a standard blind spot warning system that 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 RS 5 Sportback’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Charger SRT has standard Rear Cross Path Detection, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the RS 5 Sportback.

Both the Charger SRT and the RS 5 Sportback 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 and rearview cameras.

The Dodge Charger SRT weighs 512 to 515 pounds more than the Audi RS 5 Sportback. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Dodge Charger SRT is safer than the Audi RS 5 Sportback:

	Charger SRT	RS 5 Sportback
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	95	164
Neck Injury Risk	26%	26%
Neck Stress	230 lbs.	232 lbs.
Neck Compression	41 lbs.	55 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	96	236
Chest Compression	.7 inches	1 inches
Neck Compression	42 lbs.	47 lbs.

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 SRT is safer than the Audi RS 5 Sportback:

	Charger SRT	RS 5 Sportback
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	164	277
Spine Acceleration	44 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	243 lbs.	777 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	270	333

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

Warranty

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

There are almost 8 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Charger SRT’s warranty.

Reliability

The Dodge Charger SRT’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the RS 5 Sportback’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Charger SRT has a standard 220-amp alternator. The RS 5 Sportback’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Charger SRT has a standard 730-amp battery. The RS 5 Sportback’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 96 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 31st, 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 Audi 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, Audi is rated below average.

Engine

The Charger SRT’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 273 more horsepower (717 vs. 444) and 208 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 442) than the RS 5 Sportback’s 2.9 turbo V6. The Charger SRT Redeye’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 353 more horsepower (797 vs. 444) and 265 lbs.-ft. more torque (707 vs. 442) than the RS 5 Sportback’s 2.9 turbo V6. The Charger SRT Charger King Daytona’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 363 more horsepower (807 vs. 444) and 265 lbs.-ft. more torque (707 vs. 442) than the RS 5 Sportback’s 2.9 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Dodge Charger SRT (702 HP engine) is faster than the Audi RS 5 Sportback:

	Charger SRT	RS 5 Sportback
Zero to 60 MPH	3.4 sec	3.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	7.2 sec	8.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	3.7 sec	4.5 sec
Quarter Mile	11.4 sec	11.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	128 MPH	115 MPH
Top Speed	204 MPH	174 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Charger SRT has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 5 Sportback (18.5 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Charger SRT 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 RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

The Charger SRT’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 RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Charger SRT’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RS 5 Sportback:

	Charger SRT	RS 5 Sportback
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	14.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

The Charger SRT stops shorter than the RS 5 Sportback:

	Charger SRT	RS 5 Sportback
70 to 0 MPH	153 feet	154 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Charger SRT has larger tires than the RS 5 Sportback (305/35R20 vs. 265/35R19). The Charger SRT’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RS 5 Sportback (305/35R20 vs. 275/30R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Charger SRT has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the RS 5 Sportback.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger SRT’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the RS 5 Sportback (120 inches vs. 111.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Charger SRT is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than on the RS 5 Sportback.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger SRT a Large car, while the RS 5 Sportback is rated a Mid-size.

The Charger SRT has 13.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RS 5 Sportback (104.7 vs. 91).

The Charger SRT has .8 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 3.8 inches more front shoulder room, 5 inches more rear legroom and 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the RS 5 Sportback.

Ergonomics

The Charger SRT has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Charger SRT’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 RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Charger SRT’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 RS 5 Sportback does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Charger SRT’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the RS 5 Sportback’s standard power windows.

The Charger SRT’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The RS 5 Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Charger SRT has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the RS 5 Sportback.

Economic Advantages

The Charger SRT will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Charger SRT will retain 56.69% to 57.13% of its original price after five years, while the RS 5 Sportback only retains 48.42%.

Recommendations

The Dodge Charger outsold the Audi A5/S5/RS 5 by over four to one during 2022.