2023 Dodge Charger vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its fantastic look from the 2021 model, following a complete makeover that was widely praised. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, the S-Class sedan continued to make a strong case for itself with its sleek design and elegant proportions, particularly the long distance between the front axle and the dashboard. The S-Class has a rich history dating back to the 1954 "Ponton" models, and the 2022 version represented the seventh generation of this flagship sedan. The exterior was sleek and modern, with a proud Mercedes-Benz grille and star hood ornament. Inside, the dashboard featured a waterfall of open-pore wood trim and a 12.8-inch touchscreen, complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The cabin was dressed in high-quality materials, meticulously fitted and assembled.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, largely unchanged since its 2015 update, maintained a distinct and modern look compared to other sedans like the Accord, Altima, and Camry. The base model was somewhat drab, but the V8 versions, especially the R/T Scatpack with the widebody kit, looked aggressive and stylish. The Swinger variant featured flared fenders, large hood scoops, and deep-dish bronze wheels, giving it a menacing stance. The interior, however, felt dated with its small touchscreen and plasticky knobs, despite the Nappa leather and Alcantara seats. The Swinger added some unique touches like green stitching and a Swinger badge, but overall, the interior was basic and adequate.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was designed for both serene weekday commuting and weekend pleasure driving. The S500 model featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine with EQ Boost, providing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft from the electric motor. The S580 model had a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, also with EQ Boost. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. The S500 could go from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while the S580 did it in 4.4 seconds. Despite their weight, both models handled well and offered powerful braking. The S500 delivered up to 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway, while the S580 offered 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway.

The 2023 Dodge Charger came standard with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 292 or 300 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 models offered AWD, but it was not well-tuned. The R/T models featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, while the Scatpack models had a 6.4-liter V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat models were the most powerful, with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 producing 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, or 807 hp and 707 lb-ft in the Redeye Jailbreak. The Charger handled well for its size, with good front-end grip and precise steering, but it was best to avoid mid-corner corrections. The ride quality was agreeable, and braking was exceptional with Brembo brakes on higher trims.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled as an executive sedan, offering a roomy and comfortable cabin with ample storage and cargo space. The second-row passengers enjoyed powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof. The trunk had a capacity of 13.8 cubic feet. The cabin featured six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply in the second row. The front seats were heated, ventilated, and had massage functions, while the Executive Line added rear-seat upgrades and a high-end rear-seat entertainment system. The doors opened wide, but the soft-close feature prevented slamming. The S-Class came with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its size, felt tight inside. Headroom was adequate without a sunroof, but the footwells were cramped, and rear legroom and headroom were limited. The trunk was spacious at 16.5 cubic feet. The controls were straightforward and easy to use, with large buttons and switches for climate control, lighting, and audio. The touchscreen integrated additional features without requiring deep menu digging, making the Charger familiar and not distracting.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with the latest technology, including a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen for the MBUX infotainment system and a 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel. The optional 3D instrument cluster added depth and visual interest. The augmented video for navigation and the available augmented reality head-up display provided clear and futuristic guidance. The standard Burmester 3D Surround sound system and the optional 4D Surround system offered high-fidelity audio. The EQ Boost system and rear-axle steering enhanced the driving experience.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect infotainment system and advanced driver-assistance features. The 8.4-inch touchscreen was small but had fast and logical menus, with wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, voice recognition, and SiriusXM. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed customization of various performance settings, including launch control and line lock. The Performance Pages displayed real-time power and torque curves and other sensor measurements. Hellcat models had additional cooling functions for the supercharger.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was loaded with standard and available safety features, including Magic Vision Control, active distance assist Distronic adaptive cruise control, active stop-and-go assist, active steering assist, active brake assist, active speed limit assist, active blind-spot assist, active lane-keeping assist, active parking assist, Pre-Safe Plus, and car-to-x communication. The S-Class also offered rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags for added safety.

The 2023 Dodge Charger performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four out of five stars overall. The IIHS ratings were based on the 2015 Chrysler 300, which shared the same chassis. The Charger had top "Good" ratings in many categories, but the relevance to the Charger was questionable. Standard safety features included rear parking sensors and a backup camera. Optional features on certain trims included forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.