2022 Audi A4 vs 2022 Dodge Charger

The 2022 Audi A4 lineup included the A4 sedan, the A4 Allroad, and the S4 performance-tuned model. The A4 sedan came in 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI model series with Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. Prices ranged from under $40,000 to over $50,000. The test car was a Prestige 45 TFSI with Tango Red paint, the Black Optic Plus package, 19-inch wheels, the S-line Interior package, and ventilated front seats, totaling $55,890 including destination charges. The A4's simple, clean, and conservative appearance was enhanced by the Tango Red paint and Black Optic package detailing, making it look sensationally good. Inside, the A4 maintained aesthetic restraint with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit, and ambient interior lighting, though the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system seemed out of place.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, running on a platform dating back to 2005, had undergone significant updates in 2011 and 2015. The 2015 design, which carried over to 2022, was modern and menacing. The cabin, however, looked dated with thick bezels and chunky buttons, contrasting with the minimalist cockpits of newer cars. Despite this, the Charger’s cabin was user-friendly. Trims included SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, Hellcat, Redeye, and Jailbreak. The SXT trim featured a V6 engine, power-adjustable front seats, rear parking sensors, cloth upholstery, a six-speaker stereo, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added more powerful engines and performance features, with the Hellcat Widebody variant offering a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine and a well-rounded performance machine.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, achieving 29 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The A4 45 TFSI test car had 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, with a lowered sport suspension, reaching 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and averaging 27 mpg in combined driving. The A4’s driving modes included Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual. The test car averaged 24.8 mpg and offered a refined engine, outstanding tire grip, and a rock-solid structure and suspension, making it a dynamically rewarding sports sedan.

The 2022 Dodge Charger SXT and GT models used a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque in base form, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in AWD and GT trims. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. The R/T Scat Pack had a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Charger SRT Hellcat boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 with 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, while the Redeye and Jailbreak variants offered 797 hp and 807 hp, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with RWD standard and AWD available on V6 models. The Hellcat accelerated to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 196 mph. The Widebody setup improved power delivery and cornering precision, with adjustable drive modes enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Audi A4, sitting low to the ground, was harder to enter and exit, with small door openings and a snug cabin. However, it offered exceptional front-seat comfort with soft leather, power adjustment, and a thigh-support cushion. The three-zone automatic climate control system was easy to use, and the layout was intuitive. The rear seats were less spacious, with limited legroom and hard plastic seatbacks. Interior storage was limited, with a small center console bin and generous glove compartment and door panel bins. The 13 cubic-foot trunk was well-finished with enclosed hinges and storage nets, providing ample space for luggage.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, felt intimate due to the high center console and performance bucket seats. Both rows offered plenty of legroom, but headroom was limited, especially in the rear seats. Interior storage was less accommodating, with a small center console bin and trays around the shifter. The Charger provided 16.5 cubic feet of trunk space, but the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite this, the Charger’s sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk made it versatile.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The screen supported common smartphone functions and offered acoustic feedback. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Audi Connect services, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. The MMI was intuitive, with a Home button for easy navigation and accurate voice recognition. The climate controls were separate from the touchscreen, and the lack of physical controls was not an issue due to the user-friendly interface.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its ease of use. The system featured a dock area with large icons for major functions. An 8.4-inch version was optional on the base SXT and standard on higher trims, offering larger icons and easier use. Both screens included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger’s technology blended well with conventional controls, providing a user-friendly experience.

The 2022 Audi A4 stair-stepped its safety features based on trim level. The Prestige model included front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a safe exit warning system, a surround-view camera system, and Park Assist. The Matrix-design LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation enhanced visibility. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered limited standard safety features, including a backup camera and rear parking sensors. Optional features included forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.