The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat was first produced for the 2015 model year, but the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon was a limited-run model produced only for 2018. The Hellcat is sure to impress speed enthusiasts, but it can’t compete with the SRT Demon’s 840-horsepower potential.
The Dodge Challenger has long been a drag-racing favorite, competing with the Ford Mustang
and Chevy Camaro
for pony car supremacy since the 1970s. The Challenger model that has put up the most impressive 0-60 time is the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, followed about one second behind by the 2022 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Super Stock. Trying to decide which of these high-performance Dodge Challenger muscle cars you should buy? Or maybe you’re just curious about their differences! Either way, Jerry
has all the details to clear up any confusion. Plus, Jerry’s car insurance
shopping super app that can save you serious money on your Dodge insurance costs
. Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat vs. Dodge Challenger SRT Demon—which is better?
It’s hard to deny that the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the fastest Dodge Challenger production car made to date. Unfortunately, Challenger Demons—which were actually manufactured by Chrysler—are very hard to come by, and will run a much higher price on the used market than even a brand new, top-trim Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Super Stock.
While both of these performance cars are powered by 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 engines, the 2018 SRT Demon is yet to be outperformed by any other SRT Challenger model. The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon pays homage to the Dodge Demon muscle car of the early 1970s, a variant of the Dodge Dart.
But which of these models is the right one for you? Let’s investigate their differences.
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The starting price for a new, base-model 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is $69,340, but if you want the best performance possible from a new Challenger production car, you need to spring for the top-of-the-line Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Super Stock, which starts at $93,335. Between these two trims are the Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody, Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye
, Redeye Widebody, and Jailbreak trims. On the other hand, if you’re able to find one, a Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will cost anywhere from $115,000 to $250,000.
While you’ll get that extra horsepower with a 2018 Dodge Demon, you’ll pay a significantly higher price for it.
MORE: Are Dodges expensive to maintain?
Performance specs
The Dodge Challenger SRT models are true muscle cars. SRT stands for “Street and Racing Technology,” and it’s used to designate high performance versions of various Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler models.
When it comes to performance, muscle car drivers are looking for something that is going to impress on the dragstrip. That’s why 0 to 60 mph acceleration and quarter mile times are the most important specs to pay attention to when deciding between them.
Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds for the 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody, and it was able to cover a quarter mile in 11.8 seconds. By this time, it was going 125 mph, but Dodge claims that Hellcats can reach a top speed of 203 mph. The fastest recorded Hellcat 0-60 time is 3.6 seconds, beating the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
In comparison, the Demon has a zero to 60 mph time of 2.3 seconds, and a quarter mile time of 9.65 seconds at 140.09 mph. Because its quarter-mile time is less than 10 seconds, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon was banned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), which requires all vehicles with less-than-10-second quarter-mile times to have an NHRA-certified roll cage. In 2019, a Dodge Demon with its speed limiter removed and upgraded tires made it up to 211 mph, but its factory-rated top speed is 168 mph.
And we almost forgot! Thanks to its factory-installed transbrake, the SRT Demon can pull off a wheelie—yes, you read that correctly.
Engine and transmission
Powertrains for these two Challenger models are quite similar. Each Dodge Challenger SRT car is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine equipped with a supercharger that optimizes horsepower output.
A regular Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat gets 717 horsepower. The Redeye version gets 797 hp, and the SRT Super Stock engine produces 807 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque.
If you use 91 octane fuel, a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon puts out 808 horsepower and 717 lb-ft of torque. With 100 octane, its output increases to 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque, making it the production car with the highest horsepower V8 in the world.
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon was only available with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This transmission is optimal for the Hellcat models, and a six-speed manual transmission is the standard equipment. Rear-wheel drive is the only available drivetrain.
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The Dodge Challenger is one of the more recognizable cars on the road, and these two high-performance versions are no exception.
The Demon’s most notable visual feature is its infamous Air Grabber intake system, which features the largest hood scoop on any production car, measuring 45.2 square inches.
The SRT Hellcat has two smaller hood scoops on its hood, making the two models easily distinguishable.
Both are 2-door coupes, although a peek inside reveals that the Demon only has one seat.
Each version also comes with its own set of custom badging inside-and-out. The demon character logo that appears on various parts of the SRT Demon is a particularly lovable feature.
Interior features
Interior luxe has never really been a top priority of Dodge’s speedsters. The Demon looks about the same as any Dodge Challenger, except that the rear seats and front passenger seat were removed.
However, some Demons were equipped with a package that adds the passenger seats back in—it cost an additional $1 per seat. Other added features that may have been equipped on a SRT Demon were a power sunroof, heated steering wheel, and headed/ventilated front seats.
Is the Challenger SRT Demon street-legal?
Yes! In fact, the SRT Demon came into 2018 as the world’s fastest street-legal production car.
How to find cheap car insurance for your Challenger
Unfortunately, drag-racing muscle cars aren’t all that cheap to insure (surprised?). But you can still make sure you find the best available price for your Dodge Challenger’s car insurance
. How? By using Jerry
! Jerry’s trustworthy super app
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