Are you on the fence between a Chevrolet Impala and a Dodge Charger? They’re both great vehicles that have their own strengths. We’re here to break those strengths down, and hopefully make your decision a little easier.
Price
One of the biggest swaying points with any car is the price. No matter what you’re after in a car, you don’t want to be stuck making ridiculously high payments. You want to love your car, and resenting the price tag is a big road block to that. Thankfully, both of these vehicles are reasonably priced.
Between the two, the 2017 Impala is the least expensive with a starting MSRP of $27,300 for the LS model. The Charger isn’t much more expensive, with a starting MSRP of $27,995 for the SE model. The extra $695 amounts to $11.59 per month with a 60-month car loan before taxes or interest. In the end, that’s just a drop in the bucket.
Fuel Economy
We never know when gas prices are going to skyrocket, and the last thing we want to do is spend all of our money keeping fuel in our cars. Despite having a larger engine, the Dodge Charger does an excellent job of keeping up with most modern sedans for gas mileage. It gets an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The Impala has a smaller engine, and has better fuel economy with 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
Power
The reason people purchase a Dodge Charger is that it has a lot of power. The SE trim comes with a V6 engine that has 292 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s nothing to scoff at! It’s easily more than you’d find in other sedans, but you don’t have to stop there. Dodge allows the Charger to be equipped with V8 engines that produce more torque, more horsepower, and can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Of course, you’ll pay for the extra performance.
Most people don’t think of power when they hear the Chevrolet Impala, but it once had its hands in the hot rod market. The LS comes default with a four-cylinder engine that achieves 197 horsepower and 191 lbs.-ft. of torque. However, some of that old speedster remains with the optional V6 engine nearly matching the Dodge Charger with 305 horsepower and 262-lbs.-ft. of torque. Still, the Impala at its best still doesn’t touch the Charger at its most stripped-down.
Comfort
The Charger has more power, but that isn’t too much of a surprise considering its reputation. The real question is how comfortable is it to drive? Reviews claim that the Dodge Charger has materials that are appropriate for the price, but the expanses of plastic and black rubbery trim may be off-putting to some. It also has less headroom than other sedans. The interior is less spacious and refined when compared to other cars, and the ride can sometimes feel too firm.
Where the Impala lacks in speed, it makes up for comfort. For years, the Impala has been one of the most comfortable vehicles to drive—something we can personally attest to. It’s plenty spacious, and the cabin feels sleek and classy. The large backseat and trunk are perfect for carrying passengers and luggage, plus it provides a smooth ride over bumps and rough roads. Finally, it’s quiet at highway speeds. For comfort, the Impala is the clear winner.
