2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Starting at $71,895

7.5/10

C/D RATING

Specs

Photos

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Review, Pricing, and Specs (1)

Greg Pajo

|Car and Driver

7.5/10 C/D RATING

Specs

Photos

Select a year

  • Highs Reality-altering horsepower, useable rear seat, comfy ride.
  • Lows Dead steering, horsepower greatly exceeds traction, goes out of production after this year.
  • Verdict The 707-horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat and its 800-plus horsepower iterations prove there’s such thing as too much horsepower, which is exactly why we love it.
By Austin Irwin and Eric Stafford

Overview

The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is where tires go to die. It’s one of the last coupes with American-style V-8 thunder under its hood. The Challenger SRT Hellcat lineup’s most reserved model spews 717 horsepower from its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine. But there’s so much more: output from the Hellcat Redeye model’s version of this engine jumps to 797 horsepower. And the meanest, nastiest Hellcat Redeye, the Widebody Jailbreak edition, deploys 807 horsepower. All Challenger SRT Hellcats help you toward a suspended license with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel-drive is the only configuration offered and is one that is always ready to deploy billows of smoke from each of its massive, 12-inch-wide rear tires. While souped-up rivals such as the Chevy Camaro ZL1 and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 are more road-course friendly, the SRT Hellcat has surface-prepared drag strip energy. And a lot of it. The more everyday all-wheel drive, V-6, and smaller V-8 equipped Challenger are reviewed separately.

What's New for 2023?

Dodge is gearing up for the final model year for the current generation Challenger SRT Hellcat by making the 807-hp Jailbreak package available on both the Redeye and non-Redeye models. All 2023 Challengers will come with a special “Last Call” plaque under the hood to commemorate the final production run before Dodge switches to a new generation of performance cars featuring electrified powertrains.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The price of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT / SRT Hellcat starts at $71,895 and goes up to $92,895 depending on the trim and options.

    The Widebody version looks cooler with its flared fenders and handles better, thanks largely to wider wheels and tires, so that's the one we'd choose. Despite the fact that the SRT Hellcat is all about excess, we wouldn't opt for the Redeye model that increases power to nearly 800 horses. In fact, during our testing, the Redeye wasn't quicker than the standard Hellcat because its tires simply couldn't put the extra grunt to the ground.

    Engine, Transmission, and Performance

    The mad scientists at Dodge's SRT laboratory pulled a Samuel L. Jackson and went all Old Testament with the almighty Hellcat engine. The standard setup makes "only" 717 horsepower, and the version in the Redeye pumps out 797 horses. The 807-hp Super Stock model features dedicated equipment for drag racing. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the last Challenger SRT Redeye Widebody we tested roared to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds at 125 mph. We've driven several Hellcats and—as expected—never got tired of tapping into the endless power supply. However, launching the unruly beast straight and true is an exercise in extreme car control. Every model had an insidious growl at startup that builds to a hellish howl under heavy throttle. The Hellcat's distinct supercharger whine will send shivers down your spine from either fear or excitement—most likely both. These high-performance Challengers might not be the ultimate tools for a track-attack event, but they're quick as hell in a straight line and handle well enough to hustle down twisty back roads—provided your heavy right foot knows when to let up.

    View Photos

    Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

    The Challenger SRT Hellcat doesn't power-slam gas like a competitive drinker—at least, not more than its competition. It's rated at 13 mpg in the city and up to 22 mpg on the highway. The Camaro ZL1 and Shelby GT500 top out at 14/21 mpg city/highway and 12/18 mpg city/highway, respectively. The last Hellcat Challenger we ran on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, wasn't far off its 22-mpg EPA estimate. For more information about the Challenger's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

    Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

    The Challenger interior was redesigned for the 2015 model year with a driver-centric layout, straightforward switchgear, and better materials. The SRT twins have standard leather finery, unique badging and gauge colors, and heated and ventilated front seats. Despite its roomy cabin, the plastics still look cheap, and visibility to the rear is poor. The Dodge held six carry-ons in its trunk and an impressive 15 total with the rear seat stowed. None of the cars we tested were particularly adept at storing small items, but the Challenger at least has a big center console bin, and there's a useful slot to stick a smartphone.

    View Photos

      Infotainment and Connectivity

      Both models boast a Uconnect infotainment system that is simple to use and filled with features. These include navigation, a bumpin' stereo, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The standard 8.4-inch touchscreen is usefully large and features icons that can be easily selected with a finger. There are volume and tuning knobs for quick audio-system adjustments. While the navigation responds quickly to inputs with a large onscreen keyboard, the map graphics look dated and cartoony.

        Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

        Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

        2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Review, Pricing, and Specs (4)2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Review, Pricing, and Specs (5)2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Review, Pricing, and Specs (6)2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Review, Pricing, and Specs (7)2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Review, Pricing, and Specs (8)

        View Crash Test Results

        The big-bodied coupe is available with a host of driver-assistance technologies. Both models have standard rear parking sensors, but most other safety equipment costs extra, and not all of it is available on the Redeye. For more information about the Challenger's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

        • Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
        • Available forward-collision warning
        • Available adaptive cruise control

        Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

        The Challenger's coverage aligns with domestic rivals. However, the Camaro comes with at least a little bit of complimentary maintenance.

        • Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
        • Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
        • No complimentary scheduled maintenance

        2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Review, Pricing, and Specs (9)

        Specifications

        Specifications

        2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody

        VEHICLE TYPE
        front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 2-door coupe

        PRICE AS TESTED
        $91,469 (base price: $78,745)

        ENGINE TYPE
        supercharged and intercooled pushrod 16-valve V-8, iron block and aluminum heads, port fuel injection
        Displacement
        376 cu in, 6166 cc
        Power
        797 hp @ 6300 rpm
        Torque
        707 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm

        TRANSMISSION
        8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

        CHASSIS
        Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
        Brakes (F/R): 15.4-in vented, slotted discs/13.8-in vented, slotted discs
        Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4, 305/35ZR-20 (107Y)

        DIMENSIONS
        Wheelbase: 116.2 in
        Length: 197.5 in
        Width: 78.3 in
        Height: 57.5 in
        Passenger volume: 94 cu ft
        Trunk volume: 16 cu ft
        Curb weight: 4514 lb

        C/D TEST RESULTS
        Zero to 60 mph: 3.7 sec
        Zero to 100 mph: 7.8 sec
        Zero to 170 mph: 27.7 sec
        Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.1 sec
        Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.4 sec
        Top gear, 50–70 mph: 2.5 sec
        Standing ¼-mile: 11.8 sec @ 125 mph
        Top speed (drag limited, mfr's claim): 203 mph
        Braking, 70–0 mph: 152 ft
        Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.95 g

        C/D FUEL ECONOMY
        Observed: 15 mpg

        EPA FUEL ECONOMY
        Combined/city/highway: 16/13/22 mpg

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