2023 BMW 3 Series vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2023 BMW 3 Series, a staple of the Bavarian brand since 1975, continued to impress with its seventh-generation model, which received a mid-cycle refresh. The lineup included the petrol-powered 330i and M340i, as well as the plug-in hybrid 330e. The exterior design updates were subtle yet sporty, maintaining the narrow kidney grille and introducing redesigned full-LED headlights with inverted L-shaped daytime running lights. The lower air intakes and flared rear-wheel arches added to its sporty appeal, complemented by standard 18-inch double-spoke light alloys, with an optional 19-inch upgrade. The Shadowline trim became standard, with new paint options like Skyscraper Grey and Brooklyn Grey metallic available. Inside, the 3 Series featured the advanced BMW iDrive 8 system with a 27.2-inch Curved Display, creating a driver-centric cockpit with a minimalist dashboard design.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from 2015, with a sleeker nose and sharper LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger maintained a distinct and modern appearance compared to competitors like the Accord and Camry. The R/T Scatpack Swinger model featured a widebody kit with flared fenders, 20-inch wheels, and a large hood scoop. The interior, however, felt dated with its small touchscreen and plasticky knobs, though it offered green stitching and unique Swinger badges. The Charger's design was bold and aggressive, with oversized front doors and a classic full-width taillight design, but its interior lacked the refinement and modernity found in the BMW 3 Series.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series offered a range of powertrains, including a twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the 330i and 330e, and a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six for the M340i. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and xDrive all-wheel drive available. The 330i produced 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds. The 330e, with its electric motor, delivered 288 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and offering up to 22 miles of electric-only range. The M340i, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, boasted 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Fuel economy varied slightly across trims, with the 330i achieving 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, while the M340i offered 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, known for its powerful engines, offered a range of V6 and V8 options. The base 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 produced 292 or 300 horsepower, with 264 pound-feet of torque, and was the only engine available with all-wheel drive. The R/T models featured a 5.7-liter V8 with 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, while the Scatpack models, like the Swinger, boasted a 6.4-liter V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat models, with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, delivered 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, with the Redeye Jailbreak variant reaching 807 hp and 707 lb-ft. The Charger's handling was impressive for its size, with good front-end grip and precise steering, but it was best suited for straight-line speed and drag racing. Fuel economy was a challenge, especially for the Hellcat models, which achieved around 10 mpg.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series offered a compact yet comfortable interior, with 38.7 inches of headroom and 42 inches of legroom in the front, and 37.6 inches of headroom and 35.2 inches of legroom in the rear. The SensaTec faux leather upholstery and power-adjustable front sport seats provided support, though the seat cushions were somewhat stiff. The 3 Series featured a leather steering wheel, intuitive ergonomics, and a user-friendly iDrive controller knob. Cargo capacity was 17 cubic feet, with rear seats folding in a 40/20/40 split for added versatility. Standard features included a power moonroof, with options for heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its large size, felt cramped inside. Headroom was adequate for a 5-foot-11 frame without a sunroof, but the footwells were tight, and the transmission tunnel limited rear legroom. The trunk offered 16.5 cubic feet of space. The Charger's controls were straightforward, 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 BMW 3 Series featured the advanced BMW iDrive 8 system, with a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. The system was fast and user-friendly, with customizable widgets and voice-activated controls via the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Standard tech features included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker HiFi sound system, and over-the-air updates. Optional upgrades included wireless device charging, a Harman Kardon surround sound system, and a 5G hotspot.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect system and advanced driver-assistance features. Its 8.4-inch touchscreen offered wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, voice recognition, and SiriusXM. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed customization of performance settings, including throttle, steering, and transmission. The Performance Pages feature provided real-time data on power and torque, while Hellcat models included additional cooling functions for the supercharger.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA, though the PHEV model was not rated. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2023 model, but the 2022 version earned a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, LED headlights, BMW Assist eCall, and Active Guard. Optional packages added features like blind spot detection, lane-departure warning, and semi-autonomous driving systems.

The 2023 Dodge Charger received four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with mixed results in various crash tests. The IIHS ratings were based on the 2015 Chrysler 300, which shared the same chassis. Standard safety features were limited to rear parking sensors and a backup camera. Optional features included forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control, but these were not available on Hellcat models.