2020 Dodge Charger Hellcat vs 2021 BMW M340i: Which Sedan Wins a Drag Race?
The 2020 Dodge Charger Hellcat and the 2021 BMW M340i sit at opposite ends of the performance-sedan spectrum. One is a 707-horsepower rear-drive muscle car built to dominate in a straight line; the other is a 382-horsepower all-wheel-drive sports sedan engineered for all-weather composure and daily polish. A DragGap head-to-head pits these two very different philosophies against each other. Because every figure below comes from a simulated, modelled DragGap estimate rather than an instrumented real-world test, treat the numbers as a consistent apples-to-apples comparison rather than a track-day record.
Dodge Charger Hellcat
Dodge Charger Hellcat wins the modelled 1 km race by 2.606 seconds, with a 150.5 metre gap at the first finish.
DragGap comparison data
| DragGap result | 2021 BMW M340i | 2020 Dodge Charger Hellcat |
|---|---|---|
| Rated power | 285 kW | 527 kW |
| Horsepower | 382 hp | 707 hp |
| Mass | 1770 kg | 2080 kg |
| Drivetrain | AWD | RWD |
| 0–60 mph | 4.38 s | 3.63 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.66 s | 3.80 s |
| 1/4 mile | 13.182 s | 11.986 s |
| 1 km | 24.321 s | 21.715 s |
Two very different powertrain philosophies
At the heart of the Dodge Charger Hellcat is a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 producing 527 kW (707 horsepower), driving the rear wheels through a car that tips the scales at 2,080 kg. It is unapologetically a muscle car: huge power, rear-wheel drive, and a soundtrack to match.
The BMW M340i takes the opposite route. Its turbocharged straight-six makes 285 kW (382 horsepower) and drives all four wheels, in a lighter 1,770 kg package. The power deficit is considerable, but the M340i compensates with less weight and the traction of all-wheel drive off the line.
These are the fundamental differences that shape the rest of the comparison: raw muscle and rear-wheel drive versus balanced output and all-weather grip.
Straight-line performance: the simulated race
In the DragGap simulation the Charger Hellcat is clearly the quicker car. Its modelled 0-100 km/h time is about 3.80 seconds, against roughly 4.66 seconds for the BMW M340i. The quarter mile comes in at approximately 11.99 seconds for the Dodge and 13.18 seconds for the BMW.
The gap only grows as the speeds climb. Over one kilometre the Hellcat finishes in about 21.71 seconds while the M340i needs roughly 24.32 seconds, and the Dodge tops out near 242 km/h versus around 212 km/h for the BMW. DragGap estimates the Hellcat crosses the line about 150 metres ahead, winning by close to 2.6 seconds.
Remember these are modelled, estimated results from a consistent simulation, not a measured real-world test. Real conditions would shift the numbers, but the ordering is exactly what the physics suggests: the Hellcat's huge power advantage wins the drag race.
Off the line: weight and traction
Despite giving away roughly 325 horsepower, the BMW M340i launches hard thanks to its all-wheel-drive system and lighter kerb weight. In the simulation its 0-100 km/h estimate of about 4.66 seconds is genuinely quick and far closer to the Hellcat than the power spread might suggest.
The Charger Hellcat, by contrast, is a rear-wheel-drive car with 2,080 kg to haul and a lot of torque to manage. Its 0-100 km/h estimate of roughly 3.80 seconds shows how effortless the supercharged V8 is once it hooks up, but it has to work harder to convert that power into forward motion from a standstill.
In wet or slippery conditions the BMW's all-wheel drive would be the clear advantage, a factor a straight-line simulation cannot fully capture.
Everyday usability and running costs
The M340i is the easier car to live with day to day. It is lighter, more efficient, and its all-wheel drive makes it reassuring in poor weather. The 285 kW output is more than enough for daily driving, and the chassis is tuned for composure as much as pace.
The Hellcat is a different proposition. Its 707 horsepower demands respect, fuel economy is a distant concern, and a rear-drive 2,080 kg sedan is an event every time you drive it. That eventfulness is exactly why people buy one, but it is not a subtle daily driver.
Your choice comes down to priorities: the BMW rewards precision and practicality, while the Dodge rewards drama and straight-line dominance.
Which one should you choose?
If your priority is winning drag races and enjoying a muscular, aggressive presence, the Dodge Charger Hellcat is the clear pick. Its simulated acceleration and top speed leave the BMW well behind in a straight line.
If you want a fast, refined, all-weather sports sedan that you can drive every day without compromise, the BMW M340i is the more sensible and arguably more capable all-rounder.
Neither answer is wrong. They simply represent two very different ideas of what a performance sedan should be.
The acceleration, quarter-mile and 1 km figures on this page are deterministic DragGap simulation estimates, not instrumented track measurements. Real results vary with vehicle specification, tyres, surface, weather and driver.
Frequently asked questions
Which car is faster in a straight line?
In the DragGap simulation the Dodge Charger Hellcat is clearly faster, with a modelled 0-100 km/h of about 3.80 seconds versus roughly 4.66 seconds for the BMW M340i. These are estimated figures, not measured real-world results.
How much more power does the Hellcat have?
The Charger Hellcat produces 527 kW (707 horsepower), while the BMW M340i produces 285 kW (382 horsepower), a difference of roughly 325 horsepower.
Why is the BMW M340i closer than the power gap suggests?
The M340i is lighter (about 1,770 kg versus 2,080 kg) and all-wheel drive, which helps it launch hard. It is still slower in the simulation, but the gap in 0-100 km/h is far smaller than the horsepower difference would imply.
Are these real-world test results?
No. All acceleration and race figures are simulated and modelled DragGap estimates from a consistent simulation. They are useful for comparison but are not instrumented real-world measurements.
Which is the better daily driver?
The BMW M340i is the more practical everyday car: lighter, more efficient, and all-wheel drive for poor weather. The Hellcat offers far more straight-line drama but is heavier, thirstier, and rear-wheel drive.
Sources and method
- U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov for certified U.S. configuration and economy records.
- NHTSA vPIC for manufacturer-submitted make/model identity.
- Open Vehicle Specs (ODbL 1.0) for clearly labelled supplemental fields.
- DragGap methodology for the simulation assumptions, calibration and limitations.