Compare the2023 Dodge Charger SRTVS 2023 Tesla Model S

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Dodge Charger SRT 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 SRT 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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Charger SRT’s standard 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 SRT 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 SRT 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, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

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 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 SRT’s warranty.

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.

As tested in Car and Driver the Dodge Charger SRT (702 HP engine) is faster than the Tesla Model S (base engine):

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

The Charger SRT stops shorter than the Model S:

For better traction, the Charger SRT has larger tires than the Model S (305/35R20 vs. 255/45R19). The Charger SRT’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model S (305/35R20 vs. 265/35R21).

The Charger SRT’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Model S’ standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

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

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

The Charger SRT Hellcat handles at .94 G’s, while the Model S pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Charger SRT Hellcat executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the Model S (24.4 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Charger SRT’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Model S’ (39 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

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

The Charger SRT 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.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Charger SRT 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 SRT’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 SRT’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 SRT has standard extendable sun visors. The Model S doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 Model S only retains 43.76% to 48.08%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Charger SRT will be $9947 to $42668 less than for the Tesla Model S.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its June 2015 issue and the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat won out over the Tesla Model S.

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