Compare the2027 Hyundai Sonata VS 2027 Dodge Charger

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Hyundai Sonata are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Dodge Charger 2-Door doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Sonata achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Dodge Charger has not been tested.

Both the Sonata and Charger have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sonata has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Charger’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sonata and the Charger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all-wheel drive.

The Hyundai Sonata has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Charger has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

The Sonata comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Charger’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Sonata 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Dodge covers the Charger. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Charger ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Sonata’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Charger’s (7 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sonata second among midsize cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Charger isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is ranked 7th.

On the EPA test cycle the Sonata gets better mileage than the Charger running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
Sonata
	FWD	SE 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/38 hwy
		SEL Sport 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/37 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	22 city/32 hwy
Charger
	AWD	R/T 3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	17 city/26 hwy
		Scat Pack 3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/23 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Sonata uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Charger Scat Pack requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Sonata offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Charger doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Sonata stops shorter than the Charger:

	Sonata	Charger
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

The Sonata SEL Sport has a standard space-saver spare (not available on SE/N Line) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Charger; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Sonata’s turning circle is 4.1 feet tighter than the Charger Six Pack’s (35.9 feet vs. 40 feet). The Sonata’s turning circle is 5.6 feet tighter than the Charger Daytona’s (35.9 feet vs. 41.5 feet).

The Hyundai Sonata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1500 to 2300 pounds less than the Dodge Charger.

The Sonata is 1 foot, 1.2 inches shorter than the Charger, making the Sonata easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Sonata is 6.6 inches narrower on average than the Charger, making the Sonata easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The design of the Hyundai Sonata amounts to more than styling. The Sonata has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Charger (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Sonata get better fuel mileage.

The Sonata has .9 inches more front headroom, 3.5 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room and .9 inches more rear headroom than the Charger Four-Door.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Sonata easier. The Sonata’s trunk lift-over height is 27 inches, while the Charger’s liftover is 32.2 inches.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sonata’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Charger doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Sonata is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Charger doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Hyundai Sonata retains 53.78% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 47.49% resale value of the 2026 Dodge Charger after five years, which can save the Hyundai’s owner up to $18861 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Sonata, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sonata second among midsize cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Charger isn’t in the top three.

The Hyundai Sonata outsold the Dodge Charger by over six to one during 2025.