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If you’re in the market for a large, comfortable sedan, you still have plenty of options. In one corner, the 2023 Nissan Maxima offers a comfortable ride with performance promises, but does it deliver? In the other corner, the 2023 Dodge Charger offers a lot more than that. Here are three reasons you should buy a new Dodge Charger over a Nissan Maxima. 

Power. Power. Power. The Dodge Charger has horsepower to spare

A white 2023 Dodge Charger RT Scat Pack Widebody shows off its muscular stance.
2023 Dodge Charger RT Scat Pack Widebody | Stellantis

The 2023 Dodge Charger can start nowhere other than with its party piece. The Charger can have anything from 292 horsepower to an astonishing 807 ticked-off horses stuffed under the hood. That’s a gulf of over 500 horsepower with options throughout the range. Furthermore, for the V6 models, while you don’t get grin-inducing power and torque, there is an option for all-wheel drive (AWD). 

Should you choose to equip your Charger with a V8, you have no shortage of options. The R/T model will pack a 5.7L Hemi V8 producing a *mere* 370 horsepower. Further up the range, the 2023 R/T Scat Pack gets its quarter-mile motivation courtesy of a gigantic 6.4L V8 making 485 horsepower. Finally, if you’re silly and hate your tires, the Hellcat, Hellcat Redeye, and Jailbreak all make well over 700 horsepower with supercharged V8 powerplants. 

In comparison, the 2023 Nissan Maxima’s higher performance offering, the 3.5L V6 produces 300 horsepower. That means that Maxima’s top performer has just barely more power than the base model V6 Charger.

The 2023 Nissan Maxima is comfortable, but not comfortable enough

A Nissan Maxima shows off its interior.
Nissan Maxima | Nissan

According to Consumer Reports, the Dodge Charger scored a four out of five in ride comfort. However, in the same test, the Nissan Maxima scored a three. While the Dodge can put the hammer down, its suspension rides more like a large comfy sedan than a performance car. On the other hand, the Nissan Maxima fails to mute road imperfections and reportedly sways as if on rough seas. 

Dodge Charger is better insulated than the Nissan Maxima, meaning your soundtrack is all motor, no noise

A gray Nissan Maxima parks next to an autumn scene.
Nissan Maxima | Nissan

The 2023 Dodge Charger does a good job of isolating the occupants from unwanted road noise. Unwanted should be specified because if the Charger is driven spiritedly, the baritone ballad of a V8 will no doubt invade the cabin. Conversely, the 2023 Nissan Maxima only mitigates some road noise, despite Nissan’s claims that active noise-canceling tech is in use. 

In addition to the inferior noise insulation, the Nissan Maxima’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) holds the powerplant at higher revs. While that wouldn’t necessarily be an issue, Consumer Reports said that the previous model year Maxima’s engine sounded “unpolished when pushed.” 

Variety is the spice of life, and with the Dodge Charger, you get the power to choose

With a library of V8 engines to choose from and otherwise serene comfort, the 2023 Dodge Charger has much to offer over the Nissan Maxima. Also, if you choose to buy a V6 Charger, you can option it with AWD to handle inclement weather. Furthermore, future generations may even be electrified. Scroll down if you want to read about the Dodge Charger vs. Chrysler 300. 

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