2022 Dodge Charger vs 2023 Chrysler 300

The 2022 Dodge Charger had a platform that had been in use since 2005, which it shared with the Dodge Challenger and the Chrysler 300. The Charger's platform went through a major facelift in 2015, resulting in a modern and menacing exterior that distinguished it from its muscle-car-styled Challenger sibling. Despite its dated cabin, marked by thick bezels and chunky buttons, it offered straightforward usability, a feature that some drivers appreciated over trendier minimalist designs.

In contrast, the 2023 Chrysler 300, introduced back in 2005 and refreshed substantially in 2011, maintained an elegant yet distinctive design reminiscent of the Bentley Arnage. Available in several trims including Touring, Touring L, 300S, and the limited-edition 300C, the 300 still looked good and was available with blacked-out appearances and 20-inch performance tires. However, the interior, despite some premium touches like carbon-fiber trim and Laguna leather upholstery in the 300C, felt outdated and matched neither the luxury promised by its exterior nor modern standards.

The 2022 Dodge Charger lineup started with the SXT and GT models powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that generated 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, increasing to 300 hp and 264 lb-ft with AWD. From the R/T trim upwards, the Charger offered a variety of V8 engines, ranging from a 5.7-liter Hemi producing 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque to the incredible supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 in the Hellcat variants. This engine's output spanned from 717 hp in the Hellcat to an astonishing 807 hp in the Jailbreak model. The Charger Hellcat, with its 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph, was particularly notable for its thrilling acceleration and excellent cornering aided by the Widebody setup.

The 2023 Chrysler 300C brought back memories of the 300 SRT with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine producing 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. It managed a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 160 mph. Complementing the powerful engine were features like an adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, and performance tires, all contributing to a lively driving experience. The 300C's Germanic chassis characteristics, rooted in its Mercedes-Benz E-Class heritage, provided a nostalgic yet fun driving dynamic reminiscent of '90s AMG models. However, the performance came with downsides: notable cabin noise and low fuel economy, averaging only 17.5 mpg.

Both cars were full-size sedans, but their interior space and storage capacities reflected their ages. The 2022 Dodge Charger felt intimate from the front seats due to a high center console and performance bucket seats. Both rows offered ample legroom, but headroom was somewhat compromised. The rear seats, especially, were tight on headroom and getting in and out could be challenging. Storage inside the cabin was limited, with a small center console bin and less spacious door trays. However, it offered a usable 16.5 cubic feet of trunk space, albeit with a small lid and high rear bumper that required careful loading.

Similarly, the 2023 Chrysler 300 did not fully exploit its full-size status. The front seats, featuring premium Laguna leather and various adjustments, provided a comfortable experience, while the rear seats were less inviting due to hard plastic fronts and a slouched seating angle. Storage compartments were sparse and outdated, lacking modern smartphone slots or charging trays. The trunk offered 16.3 cubic feet of space, slightly less than the Charger, and like the Dodge, complicated by encloses lid hinges but benefitting from a convenient handle.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came with either a 7-inch or an optional 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system, praised for its user-friendly interface and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. While it wasn’t the most advanced system on the market, its straightforward design, with large icons for primary functions, provided an easy and pleasant user experience.

In comparison, the 2023 Chrysler 300 used an older-generation Uconnect system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Although it offered necessary features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and navigation, the graphics were dated, and the system lacked modern conveniences such as wireless connectivity for smartphones. The physical controls for stereo and climate were appreciated, but accessing seat heating and ventilation through the screen was less intuitive. The Harman Kardon audio system in the 300C impressed, and additional features like SRT Dashboard and speed warnings were useful, albeit limited by the system's age.

Safety was an area where both vehicles showed their age. The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with only a backup camera and rear parking sensors, with more advanced driver-assistance features like forward-collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control offered as options.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Chrysler 300 included better safety features, particularly in the 300C trim. However, optional packages were necessary for most other trims to obtain features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The crash-test ratings from NHTSA were good but reflected older criteria, while the IIHS ratings were less favorable, particularly in the moderate-overlap frontal-impact test, earning a marginal rating.