2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2022 Dodge Charger

The 2022 BMW 3 Series offered a range of models, including the 330i, 330e, M340i, M3, and M3 Competition, with prices starting at $44,990 and reaching up to $93,500, excluding a $2,480 destination charge. Each variant featured a distinct powertrain, with the 330i xDrive sedan and 330e equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the M340i boasted a turbocharged six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology. The M3 and M3 Competition were the high-performance options. The M340i xDrive, tested in Barbera Red paint and Cognac SensaTec upholstery, included options like the Advanced Driver Assistance package and Adaptive M Suspension, bringing the price to just under $80,000. The M340i's exterior featured M Performance design elements, including a unique grille, Shadowline trim, and 19-inch wheels, resulting in an appealing and performance-oriented look. Inside, the SensaTec upholstery and dashboard wrap provided a sophisticated feel, with the Cognac colour adding a trendy contrast to the cabin's dark tones. Overall, the 3 Series combined quality materials with a design focused on driving enjoyment.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, built on a platform dating back to 2005, had undergone significant updates, with a major redesign in 2011 and a facelift in 2015. The Charger offered a modern and menacing exterior, while the interior, though dated, provided ease of use with its thick bezels and chunky controls. The lineup included trims like SXT, GT, R/T, Scat Pack 392, Hellcat, Redeye, and Jailbreak. The SXT featured a V6 engine, power-adjustable seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen, while the GT added a rear spoiler and sport-tuned suspension. The R/T introduced a V8 engine, and the Scat Pack 392 offered a larger V8 with performance enhancements. The Hellcat Widebody, tested with a supercharged 6.2-litre V8, delivered exceptional performance, with the Redeye and Jailbreak offering even more power. The Charger combined sports-car performance with practicality, making it a versatile option for those seeking both speed and utility.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine featuring 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, achieving 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the evaluation route, slightly above the official rating of 9.2 L/100 km. The engine produced 382 horsepower between 5,800 and 6,500 rpm and 368 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 to 5,000 rpm. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering a Sport mode, paddle shifters, and launch control. The M340i featured BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system, M Sport brakes, variable sport steering, and an M Sport suspension, with an optional Adaptive M Suspension for enhanced driving dynamics. BMW claimed a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.3 seconds, and the car delivered impressive speed and handling, making it a thrilling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the base SXT trim. The GT trim increased output to 300 hp and 264 lb-ft. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 394 lb-ft, while the Scat Pack 392 boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft. The Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8 delivered 717 hp and 650 lb-ft, with the Redeye and Jailbreak offering even more power at 797 hp and 807 hp, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available on V6 models. The Hellcat's Widebody setup improved handling, and the car's acceleration was remarkable, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 315 km/h.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i provided a balance of driving satisfaction and passenger comfort. It featured power-adjustable front sport seats with excellent support and a perfect driving position. Rear seat passengers had adequate legroom, making it suitable for four tall individuals, although the centre rear seat was less practical. The car included a three-zone automatic climate control system, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. The trunk offered 481 litres of cargo space, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. Despite its practicality, the absence of a sports wagon option was noted.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, offered ample legroom in both rows, though headroom was limited. The high centre console and performance bucket seats created an intimate driving experience. The Charger provided 467 litres of trunk space, but the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger combined sports-car performance with four-door practicality, making it a versatile choice for those seeking both speed and utility.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series offered the optional Digital Cockpit Professional, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the digital gauges lacked the charm of traditional analog ones, the iDrive 7.0 system was intuitive, with multiple control options, including gesture control. The car included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system, with a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system available. The Connected Package Pro provided BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant for voice recognition. Safety features included a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and autonomous parking capability.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. An 8.4-inch version was available on higher trims, offering larger icons for easier use. Both screens included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While not the most advanced in terms of technology, the Charger's blend of conventional controls and infotainment was praised for its simplicity and effectiveness.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series included Active Guard, a package with forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included Traffic Jam Assistant and Emergency Stop Assistant. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, demonstrating strong safety performance.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered limited standard safety features, with only a backup camera and rear parking sensors included. Optional features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Charger received a Marginal rating in the IIHS driver’s side overlap test but earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.