2022 BMW i4 vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2022 BMW i4 was a visual continuation of the gasoline 4 Series Gran Coupe, featuring a polarizing oversized grille and a design that blurred the lines between a traditional sedan and a "Gran Coupe." Despite its controversial styling, the i4 boasted improved aerodynamics over its gasoline counterpart, with a drag coefficient of 0.24 for the base model and 0.25 for the M50 variant. This was achieved through various design tweaks, including a smooth underbody and an active grille flap. The interior of the i4 balanced modern minimalism with classic BMW elements, featuring a freestanding screen and high-quality materials, although leather upholstery was not standard.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from 2015, with a sleek nose and sharp LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger stood out with its vibrant color options and distinctive muscle car aesthetics, especially in the R/T Scatpack Swinger variant with its widebody kit and aggressive styling. The interior, however, felt dated, with a design reminiscent of 2011, featuring analog gauges and a small touchscreen. While the materials were not top-notch, the Charger offered a familiar and straightforward control layout, making it easy to use without distractions.

The 2022 BMW i4 offered impressive performance with its electric powertrains. The base i4 eDrive40 delivered 335 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. The M50 model, with its two-motor setup, produced 536 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Despite its weight, the i4's handling was enhanced by a low center of gravity and advanced suspension systems, providing a smooth and engaging driving experience. The integrated braking system and adaptive recuperation added to the i4's performance credentials, although the latter's unpredictability was a minor drawback.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, known for its powerful engines, offered a range of V6 and V8 options. The base V6 engine, with up to 300 horsepower, was less exciting, but the V8 options, especially the 6.4-liter V8 in the Scatpack, delivered 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, providing thrilling acceleration and a satisfying exhaust note. The Hellcat variants pushed the limits with up to 807 hp, although their immense power could be challenging to manage. The Charger's handling was surprisingly good for its size, with precise steering and strong brakes, making it more agile than expected.

The 2022 BMW i4 offered a low seating position despite its battery pack, but the fastback roof limited headroom. While the interior felt open, the seats were somewhat flat and hard, lacking the expected bolstering. The i4's cargo space was limited to 10 cubic feet, less than its competitors, and it lacked a front trunk. The center console was efficiently designed, but some features, like the wireless charging pad, were not accommodating for larger devices.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its size, felt cramped inside. Headroom was adequate without a sunroof, but the footwells and rear legroom were limited. The trunk, however, was spacious at 16.5 cubic feet. The Charger's controls were straightforward and easy to use, with physical buttons and switches for essential functions, providing a user-friendly experience without the need for extensive touchscreen interaction.

The 2022 BMW i4 featured the latest iDrive8 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen. It included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other connectivity features, with an intuitive user experience aided by a rotary controller and voice recognition. The i4's technology suite was comprehensive, offering a seamless integration of modern features.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect system and advanced driver-assistance features. Its 8.4-inch touchscreen was smaller but offered fast and logical menu navigation. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed for extensive customization of performance settings, and features like launch control and line lock were available for performance enthusiasts. While not as advanced as some competitors, the Charger's technology was functional and catered to its performance-oriented audience.

The 2022 BMW i4 came with a suite of standard driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. Optional packages added advanced features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. However, crash-test ratings from major safety organizations were not available at the time.

The 2023 Dodge Charger received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA in several categories. It lacked standard advanced safety features, with options like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control available only on certain trims. The Charger relied on its robust build for safety, but its age showed in the lack of modern safety technology.