Compare the2024 Audi RS 5VS 2023 Dodge Challenger

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi RS 5 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Dodge Challenger doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The RS 5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Challenger doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Audi RS 5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Challenger doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The RS 5 has standard Pre Sense Front, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Challenger offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The RS 5 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Challenger doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the RS 5. But it costs extra on the Challenger.

The RS 5’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Challenger doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The RS 5 offers an optional Top and Corner View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Challenger only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the RS 5 and Challenger offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the RS 5 with Rear Cross-Traffic Assist also has Automatic Brake Activation (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Challenger’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the RS 5 and the Challenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

Warranty

The RS 5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Challenger’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The RS 5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Challenger’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the RS 5 has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 2 places higher in reliability than Dodge.

Engine

The RS 5’s 2.9 turbo V6 produces 141 more horsepower (444 vs. 303) and 174 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 268) than the Challenger’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The RS 5’s 2.9 turbo V6 produces 72 more horsepower (444 vs. 372) and 42 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 400) than the Challenger R/T automatic’s standard 5.7 V8. The RS 5’s 2.9 turbo V6 produces 69 more horsepower (444 vs. 375) and 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 410) than the Challenger R/T manual’s standard 5.7 V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi RS 5 is faster than the Dodge Challenger (automatics tested):

	RS 5	Challenger R/T Scat Pack	Challenger SRT Hellcat
Zero to 60 MPH	3.5 sec	4.2 sec	3.7 sec
Quarter Mile	12 sec	12.6 sec	11.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	114.3 MPH	112.3 MPH	125.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the RS 5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Challenger doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the RS 5’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Challenger doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The RS 5 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Challenger. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi RS 5 higher (5 out of 10) than the Dodge Challenger (1 to 5). This means the RS 5 produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Challenger every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the RS 5’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Challenger:

	RS 5	Challenger
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.6 inches

The RS 5’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Challenger SXT are solid, not vented.

The RS 5 stops shorter than the Challenger:

	RS 5	Challenger
60 to 0 MPH	101 feet	109 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RS 5 has larger standard tires than the Challenger (265/35R19 vs. 235/55R18).

The RS 5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Challenger SXT’s standard 55 series tires. The RS 5’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Challenger Widebody’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS 5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels are standard on the Challenger SRT Demon 170.

Chassis

The RS 5 is 11.5 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the RS 5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi RS 5 amounts to more than styling. The RS 5 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the Challenger (.337 to .398). A more efficient exterior helps the RS 5 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the RS 5 get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the RS 5 has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RS 5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Challenger doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the RS 5 offers cargo security. The Challenger’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the RS 5’s power trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The RS 5’s power trunk can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Challenger doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 25% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 21st.

Ergonomics

The RS 5 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Challenger doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The RS 5’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Challenger’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The RS 5’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Challenger’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the RS 5 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Challenger can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RS 5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Challenger’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the RS 5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Challenger doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Laser headlights, standard on the RS 5, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-tenth the electrical power of the Challenger’s standard halogen headlights. Laser headlights are much whiter, 30 times brighter by surface area, and can be much more carefully focused than even projector halogen headlights, providing much better illumination without blinding other drivers. Laser headlights, standard on the RS 5, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses less power than the Challenger’s optional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights and can project light s up to six times as far. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; Laser headlights light instantly. Laser lights also last about 10 to 25 times as long.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RS 5 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Challenger doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the RS 5 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Challenger doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the RS 5 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Challenger’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The RS 5’s standard 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 Challenger has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RS 5 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 Challenger.

The RS 5 has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Challenger.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi RS 5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Challenger doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The RS 5’s optional Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Challenger doesn’t offer an automated parking system.