Compare the2024 BMW M8VS 2024 Dodge Charger

The M8’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Charger doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW M8 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 Charger doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The M8 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Charger 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M8 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Charger doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the M8 and the Charger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The M8 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Charger’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The M8’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Charger’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M8 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Charger.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 12 places higher in reliability than Dodge.

The M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 121 more horsepower (617 vs. 496) and 149 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 404) than the Charger Daytona R/T Coupe’s standard electric motors.

For better stopping power the M8’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Charger:

The M8 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Charger doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the M8 has larger tires than the Charger (F:275/35R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. 245/55R18).

The M8’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Charger’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M8 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Charger.

For better maneuverability, the M8 Competition Coupe’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Charger Coupe’s (39 feet vs. 40 feet).

The BMW M8 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1300 to 1550 pounds less than the Dodge Charger.

The M8 Coupe/Convertible is 1 foot, 2.7 inches shorter than the Charger Daytona Scat Pack Coupe, making the M8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

With its coupe, convertible or sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release in the glovebox, the M8 offers cargo security. The Charger’s hatchback body style and non-lockable folding seat defeat cargo security.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the M8’s trunk can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Charger doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 26% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 21st.

The M8’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. Dodge does not offer a locking feature on the Charger’s standard power windows.

Laser headlights, standard on the M8, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Charger’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the M8 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Charger doesn’t offer cornering lights. The M8 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the M8 Gran Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Charger doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW M8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Charger.

The M8’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Charger doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW M8 comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Dodge Charger isn’t available as a convertible or sedan.