2023 Dodge Charger vs 2023 BMW 7 Series

The 2023 BMW 7 Series presented a bold new design language for BMW's luxury lineup, featuring a distinctive front-end with an oversized grille and split lighting elements. Initially, the styling was polarizing, but it grew on observers over time. The vehicle offered two-tone paint options and style themes that altered its character, with the M Sport Professional theme providing a more aggressive look. The profile maintained the classic 7 Series silhouette, while the rear end was conventional yet cohesive. Inside, the 7 Series boasted a modern, minimalistic interior with high-quality materials and a futuristic curved glass housing for the instrument panel and infotainment screen. The leather upholstery and optional cashmere wool-blend added a touch of luxury, and the Rear Executive Lounge Seating package elevated the rear seat experience with a reclining seat and theater screen.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from previous years, with a sleek nose and sharp LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger appeared modern compared to other sedans like the Accord and Camry. The R/T Scatpack Swinger model featured a widebody kit with flared fenders, large hood scoop, and bronze wheels, giving it a distinctive and aggressive stance. The interior, however, felt dated with its 2011 design, small touchscreen, and plasticky controls. While the Nappa leather and Alcantara seats added some appeal, the overall quality was not upscale. The Swinger model included unique green stitching and badges, but the interior space was tight, especially in the rear, and the trunk offered a decent 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered two initial powertrains. The base 740i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The 760i xDrive upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, delivering 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds. The V8-powered 760i xDrive impressed with its quick and fluid acceleration, smooth gear changes, and confident braking. Handling was sportier than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, with a slightly stiffer ride and responsive steering in Sport mode.

The 2023 Dodge Charger offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 producing 292 or 300 horsepower, depending on the trim. The V6 was the only engine available with all-wheel drive, but its performance was lackluster. The R/T models featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower, while the Scatpack models, like the Swinger, boasted a 6.4-liter V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The Hellcat models took performance to the extreme with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, producing 717 horsepower, or 807 horsepower in the Redeye Jailbreak variant. The Charger excelled in handling, with good grip and steering precision, and the braking system was exceptional, especially on Scat Pack Widebody trims.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered power-operated doors, but they were cumbersome to use. Inside, the front seats were comfortable with ample adjustments, while the rear seats provided generous space and optional lounge seating with massage functions. The 31.3-inch rear entertainment screen was impressive but could cause neck strain. The trunk offered 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space, with adequate interior storage for personal items. The rear window sunshade blocked the rearview, raising safety concerns.

The 2023 Dodge Charger had a tight interior, with cramped footwells and limited rear legroom and headroom. The trunk was spacious at 16.5 cubic feet. The Charger's controls were straightforward, with large buttons and switches for climate and audio systems. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, and the interior felt familiar and not distracting.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series featured iDrive 8, a comprehensive infotainment system with touchscreen, dial, and voice command controls. While basic functions were easy to use, deeper menu navigation was complex. Voice controls helped mitigate this, but they interrupted audio playback. The standard 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System provided excellent audio quality. The optional theater screen had inconsistent touchscreen inputs, making it less user-friendly.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect system and advanced driver-assistance features. The 8.4-inch touchscreen was small but offered fast and logical menu navigation. It included wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and voice recognition. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed customization of performance settings, and the Performance Pages displayed real-time data. Hellcat models featured additional cooling functions for the supercharger.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package added a hands-free automated driving system for highways, which performed smoothly and reduced driver fatigue.

The 2023 Dodge Charger received four out of five stars from NHTSA in most crash tests, with five stars for rear passengers in side tests. IIHS ratings were based on the 2015 Chrysler 300. 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 on select models.