The 2023 Dodge Charger offers a modern 4-door design, automatic transmission only, better practicality, and better daily comfort, while the Challenger features a retro 2-door style, optional manual transmission, and slightly higher performance on twisty roads. Both share engines, tech, and safety, but differ in handling, looks, and driving feel.
Each model year of these lineups might differ in various ways. Below is the detailed comparison between the 2023 Dodge Charger and 2023 Dodge Challenger!
In This Article:
The Difference Between Challenger And Charger
Here is a summary of the differences between the 2023 Charger and Challenger:
| Criteria | 2023 Dodge Charger | 2023 Dodge Challenger |
| Exterior | – More modern, futuristic look with a classic touch – 20×11” carbon black aluminum wheels – Dual heat-extractors and a functional air inlet on the hood – Various badge designs, front grille, and exclusive Widebody flares – 14 color options | – More retro vibe with some modern accents – 18×11” low-gloss granite wheels – Dual-snorkel hood scoop, shaker hood, and T/A hood with cold air intake – Unique badges like 345 Fender, Jailbreak Fender, Hellcat SRT®, etc. – 14 color options |
| Interior | – 8.4” Uconnect touchscreen – Electronic T-shifter – 7” digital cluster display – Heated and ventilated seats – Dual-zone automatic temperature control | – 8.4” Uconnect touchscreen – Electronic T-shifter – 7” digital cluster display – Heated and ventilated seats – Dual-zone automatic temperature control |
| Engine | – Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 – 392 HEMI V8 – 345 HEMI V8 – 3.6L Pentastar V6 | – Supercharged 6.2L HEMI high-output – V8 – Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 – 392 HEMI V8 – 5.7L HEMI V83.6L Pentastar V6 |
| Horsepower and Torque | 292 HP – 807 HP 260 lb-ft – 707 lb-ft | – 303 HP – 807 HP – 268 lb-ft – 707 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic |
| Safety Features | – Parkview® Rear Back Up Camera – Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning With Active Braking – Lanesense® Lane Departure Warning With Lane Keep Assist – Blind Spot Monitoring – Automatic High-Beam Headlamps – Parksense® Rear Park Assist System – Rain Brake Support – All-Speed Traction Control – Hill Start Assist – Electronic Stability Control – Available Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop | – Parkview® Rear Back Up Camera – Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning With Active Braking – Automatic High-Beam Headlamps – Blind Spot Monitoring – Adaptive Cruise Control – Rain Brake Support – Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers – Hill Start Assist – All-Speed Traction Control – Electronic Stability Control |
| Cargo Space | 16.5 cu.ft. | 16.2 cu.ft. |
| Fuel Economy | 15 – 23 MPG (combined) | 15 – 23 MPG (combined) |
Exterior
At first glance, we can easily tell the two apart. While the 2023 Charger boasts a more futuristic design with subtle classic accents, the 2023 Challenger is reminiscent of iconic American muscle cars with a retro style, highlighted with some modern charm.
In particular, the 4-door Charger’s hood features dual heat extractors and a functional air inlet, creating a bold, sporty exterior. The iconic front grille and exclusive Widebody flares stylish black aluminium wheels also add flair to its appearance.
Meanwhile, the 2-door Challenger comes standard with three hood designs, including a dual-snorkel hood scoop, a SHAKER hood, and a T/A hood with a Mopar® cold air intake. Adding to the vintage style is the American accents on the hood, which is painted with satin black on top or enhanced with racing stripes, such as dual stripes, a Scat Pack stripe on the deck lid, or dual Blacktop stripes.
Both models are equipped with sleek badges like Jailbreak Fender, 345 Fender, R/T Scat Pack Fender, Cat Pack Super Bee, etc.
Interior
Regarding interior features, this is a draw between the two models.
Both prioritize drivers’ comfort by placing the Start/Stop push button, the electronic shifter, and the 7” digital cluster display all within your reach.
The innovative Uconnect infotainment system allows you to sync your phones, be it Android or iOS, with the car and access all the apps through a customizable 8.4” touchscreen. You can make hands-free calls and voice commands for extra convenience and safety. A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is also available to assist your navigation, especially when you’re traveling to a new place.
Comfort is the last thing to worry about. The heated and ventilated seats ensure a cushioned and relaxed driving experience over an extended time. Additionally, the cabin air is always clean, and the temperature is on point thanks to the air filtration system and the Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control.
The two muscle cars also don’t shy away from entertainment features. The Charger comes with an HD radio that offers access to various AM/FM channels with high-quality audio and an Alpine® six-speaker or a 9-speaker Alpine Audio Group that allows for premium sound quality. Meanwhile, the retro muscle car is equipped with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon® Premium Sound Group or a 9-speaker Alpine® Premium Audio System.
Other add-ons include performance timers, gauges, the G-force module, and metal paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.
Performance
The 2023 Dodge Charger offers 4 engine options, including the supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8, 392 HEMI V8, 345 HEMI V8, and 3.6L Pentastar V6. These engines pump out from 292 to 807 HP and 260 to 707 lb-ft.
On the other hand, the 2023 Dodge Challenger comes with 4 engine options, including the supercharged 6.2L HEMI high-output V8, the supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8, the 392 HEMI V8, the 5.7L HEMI V8, and the 3.6L Pentastar V6. They deliver from 303 to 807 HP and 268 to 707 lb-ft.
Regarding power, the two models are quite neck and neck. The maximum torque and horsepower are both 807 HP and 707 lb-ft, enough to get your adrenaline pumping. The max speed of both Charger and Challenger is 203 MPH. However, the fastest 0-60 MPH time sees a 0.1-second difference, with the Challenger being faster (the Challenger SRT Super Stock with 3.3 seconds and the Dodge Charger SRT Jailbreak with 3.4 seconds). These are still the industry-leading muscle cars in terms of speed at the time of this writing.
The Challenger offers both manual and automatic transmissions, which is the best fit for seasoned drivers who want to enjoy a realistic driving, racing experience. Meanwhile, all Charger models are equipped with 8-speed auto transmissions. This allows for easier and more comfortable drives, but you’ll sacrifice the authentic racing feel and a sense of control as a trade-off.
Safety
Both the 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger don’t fall short of safety, either, receiving a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA. Both are armed with a variety of features, such as Parkview Rear Back Up Camera, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning With Active Braking, Lanesense® Lane Departure Warning With Lane Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring, etc.
Other add-ons also help drivers control the car’s traction, cruising, and braking, including Rain Brake Support, All-Speed Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop, and more.
Fuel Economy
This is another tie between the 2023 Challenger and Charger. The combined gas mileage for both ranges from 15 to 23 MPG. The more powerful the engine, the more gas it burns to travel the same distance. For example, the 2023 Challenger SXT, with a 3.6L V6 engine, has a combined gas mileage of 23 MPG, while that of the SRT Hellcat Jailbreak with a 6.2L V8 engine is 16 MPG.
Cargo Passenger Space
Both the Dodge Challenger and Charger can accommodate 5 occupants at once. The latter features a slightly larger cargo capacity with 16.5 cu.ft., while the former offers a 16.2 cu.ft trunk. So, it might be more comfortable if you have a lot of luggage. That said, the difference is not very noticeable.
Our Test Drive
We’ve gone for a test run with the 2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack and 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody to see how they differ in real life.
The first impression was that the seats on the Challenger embraced our contour better, allowing for a comfortable drive over a long time. We also noticed less cabin noise and shaking with this muscle car than its counterpart. Every pump felt quite noticeable with the Charger, and there was also some road and tire noises sneaking into the cabin, especially at highway speeds.
Performance-wise, both are equipped with a 6.4L V8 engine, yet the Charger outperformed the other.
In particular, the car only took 4.6 seconds to rev up from 0 to 60 MPH. The stopping distance was also impressive, taking 102 feet to make a full stop from 60 MPH. On the other hand, the Challenger’s 0-60 MPH was 4.9 seconds, and its stopping distance from 60 MPH was 105 feet.
The wider size of the Challenger made it more challenging to navigate narrow, twisty city roads. However, the 2-door muscle car shone on open, winding roads with smooth maneuver and sure-footed grip.
Meanwhile, the Charger entered sharp corners at high speeds without sacrificing traction. That said, when it came to bumpy roads, the 4-door muscle car experienced vibration evidently, which took a toll on its stability.
Neither model is meant for fuel efficiency, but the Charger delivered better gas mileage during our test. We recorded 18 MPG for this model, while the Challenger’s gas mileage was only 14 MPG.
Verdict: Which One To Buy?
Choosing between the Charger and Challenger depends on your driving style and preferences. Go with the Charger if you need more space, daily comfort, and easier handling in cities. Pick the Challenger if you crave a nostalgic design, manual transmission, and sharper performance on open roads. Both deliver muscle, but your priorities decide the winner.
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