2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its affordability, posed a question of desirability in the sedan market. With alternatives like the VW Taos crossover SUV offering more utility and the Mazda3 Hatchback providing more style, the Jetta faced stiff competition. Available in S, Sport, SE, SEL, and GLI trims, the Jetta's pricing ranged from $20,665 to $31,585, excluding the $1,095 destination charge. The GLI model, known for its sport-tuned dynamics, was not the focus of this review. The test vehicle, a Jetta SEL, featured a Platinum Gray Metallic exterior and a Volcano Brown over Titan Black interior, priced at $29,480 with destination charges. The Jetta's conservative design, while inoffensive, lacked the symmetry and balance of previous generations. However, the SEL trim's interior, with its ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, and advanced digital displays, offered an upscale feel for under $30,000.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from its 2015 update, with a sleek nose and sharp LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger maintained a distinct and modern appearance compared to competitors like the Accord, Altima, and Camry. The base model appeared drab, but the R/T Scatpack with a widebody kit, like the test vehicle, showcased flared fenders, 20-inch wheels, and a bold hood scoop. The Swinger edition added unique decals and badges, enhancing its retro appeal. Inside, the Charger's interior felt dated, with a small touchscreen and plasticky controls. However, the Nappa leather and Alcantara seats, along with green stitching and unique Swinger badges, added some flair. Despite its age, the Charger's interior remained functional and familiar, with easy-to-use controls.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta delivered a German driving experience with its 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided zippy acceleration and nimble handling, especially in urban settings. The Jetta's brakes and suspension offered a comfortable ride, though the automatic transmission exhibited a delay in response, leading to occasional surges in power. The manual transmission likely offered better control, and using the Sport mode helped mitigate the issue, albeit at the cost of fuel economy. The Jetta SEL achieved an average of 30 mpg in testing, slightly below its EPA rating of 33 mpg. The car's handling, accurate steering, and reliable brakes made it enjoyable to drive, with the all-season tires providing excellent grip and communication.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, known for its powerful engines, offered a range of options. The base V6 engine, with 292 or 300 horsepower, was less exciting, but the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts and decent fuel economy. The R/T models featured a 5.7-liter V8 with 370 hp, while the Scatpack models, like the test vehicle, boasted a 6.4-liter V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. This engine delivered thrilling acceleration and a satisfying soundtrack. The Hellcat models, with their supercharged 6.2-liter engines, offered extreme power, with up to 807 hp in the Redeye Jailbreak variant. Despite their power, the Hellcats struggled with traction and fuel efficiency. The Charger's handling was impressive for its size, with good grip and steering precision, though it required careful driving in corners. The braking system, especially on Scat Pack Widebody trims, was exceptional.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, once considered small, now comfortably accommodated a family of four. It straddled the line between compact and midsize sedans, offering ample interior space and a generous trunk with 14.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Jetta SEL featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, but the car's higher seating position made entry and exit easy. The rear seats provided good legroom and comfort, with heated seats as a rare feature in this segment. Storage options were plentiful, with a large center bin, glove compartment, and door panel storage. The trunk's shape and size allowed for easy loading of luggage, with the 60/40-split folding back seat offering additional flexibility.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its size, felt cramped inside. The footwells were tight, and the transmission tunnel limited rear legroom. Headroom was adequate without a sunroof, but rear headroom was lacking. The trunk, however, was spacious, offering 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The Charger's 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 navigation, providing a familiar and distraction-free experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation panel and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system included proximity-sensing surfaces, knobs for volume and menu functions, and shortcut tiles for easy access. While the infotainment system required some adjustment for radio tuning, it offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with SiriusXM 360L. The Car-Net service provided a Wi-Fi hotspot and five years of complimentary access to safety and remote features. The Beats Audio premium sound system, however, was underwhelming compared to previous Fender systems.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect system and advanced driver-assistance features. Its 8.4-inch touchscreen, though small, offered fast and logical menu navigation. The system included wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and voice recognition. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed customization of performance settings, including throttle, steering, and transmission. Performance Pages displayed real-time data, and Hellcat models featured additional cooling functions. The Charger's technology focused on performance rather than convenience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE and SEL came equipped with IQ.Drive, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, providing a semi-autonomous driving experience. Emergency Assist could detect an unresponsive driver and safely stop the car. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS rated the Jetta poorly in a new frontal-impact crash test and criticized its headlights.

The 2023 Dodge Charger performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four stars for frontal crashes and five stars for rear passenger side tests. However, it earned four stars overall. The IIHS based its ratings on the 2015 Chrysler 300, which shared the same chassis. The Charger lacked standard safety assists, with features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control available only on certain trims. Blind-spot monitoring was optional on select models.