While some vehicle segments continue to grow due to new car competition, one particular category is declining. The large car segment is much smaller than you might expect, dominated by automakers that specialize in sports car design and performance muscle cars, such as the 2023 Volkswagen Arteona and Dodge Charger.
Which of these big cars suits you best? Here’s an even closer look at two models that might be at the top of your must-see list. The 2023 Volkswagen Arteon and Dodge Charger go head-to-head in this review, with the Arteon excelling over the Charger with these three advantages.
1. Better warranty with the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon
Let’s discuss warranty coverage first. This distinction is perhaps less about the big car itself and more about the car manufacturer’s warranty to back its components, designs and engineering. And if you compare the VW Arteon to the Dodge Charger, the Volkswagen warranty platform is better.
According to Volkswagen, the 300 horsepower 2022 Arteon has a starting MSRP of $40,750. Volkswagen says the starting MSRP for the 2023 Arteon is $42,530. But you get much more warranty coverage as every 2023 Arteon comes with bumper-to-bumper coverage and the worry-free maintenance program.
Terms say it’s four years or 50,000 miles for the bumper-to-bumper, and as Car and Driver mentions, the powertrain warranty covers the same thing. The worry-free maintenance program provides scheduled maintenance for up to two years or 20,000 miles at no additional cost.
According to Stellantis, the Dodge Charger offers a whole menu of powerful engine options, ranging from the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that produces 300 horsepower. As Dodge points out, you can expect a starting MSRP of $32,500.
The warranty coverage, according to the Car and Driver spec sheet, says the charger comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and no free maintenance package.
2. Fuel economy values
Another critical advantage the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon will have over the Dodge Charger is fuel economy. You can have your cake of monster performance and power, and eat it too, meaning you can enjoy decent gas mileage. Given the current price of gas in some parts of the country, fuel efficiency ratings can help you with your purchasing decision.
Consumer Reports lists miles per gallon for the Arteon at 24 overall, with 16 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. For the Charger, Consumer Reports lists overall ratings of 20 mpg, 13 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. How you drive your big car naturally plays a role in how often you need to fill up. But these differences are quite significant if fuel efficiency values are important to you.
3. More payload for the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon
Most people who want powerful performance cars are more concerned about engines and super-fast 0-60 mph times. But if you’re interested in fast and you have a lot of people or things to lug around, the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon will give you the horsepower and payload you need.
According to Edmunds specs, the 2022 Dodge Charger offers 16.5 cu-ft of maximum cargo space. Alternatively, Edmunds mentions that the 2022 Volkswagen Arteon has a whopping 56.2 cu-ft of maximum cargo capacity.
If you’re browsing the major car market, check out the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon and the Dodge Charger. Both five-seaters are powerful contenders with a lot to love. But if you’ve already narrowed down your selection to these two, the Arteon offers a few more benefits. If warranty coverage, fuel economy and payload weigh heavily in your decision, the Arteon is the clear winner.