What’s Better: The Dodge Hellcat Challenger or Charger?
Hannah DeWitt
· 4 min read
Dodge
has many fun sports cars to its name, but the Challenger and Charger have the most staying power. Even the modern designs of each car are heavily inspired by its classic models from the ‘60s and ‘80s. Both of them can also have the iconic Hellcat engine, a supercharged V-8 with an unmistakable scream. The cars are extremely similar, even sharing their Hellcat trims, but is one better than the other? The Challenger’s smaller build makes it an agile drive, but the Charger has room for five to join in on the fun.
Carbuzz
helps us break down the differences between these legendary beasts to help you decide between the two. 
Dodge Charger Hellcat
The Hellcat engine is packed inside both the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and the Hellcat Redeye trims. For the SRT Hellcat, it has 717 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque on tap. The Redeye unlocks the engine's full potential of 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque.
Both of them can only be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A Bilstein suspension and beefier Brembo brakes are also included, the same ones on the Challenger Hellcat. However, unlike other trims, the Charger Hellcat doesn’t have AWD.
The Dodge Charger is definitely bulkier than your average sports car, which can somewhat hamper its handling. The suspension is enough to keep the car grounded around hairpin turns, though, plus it mutes potholes and other bumps effectively.
MotorBiscuit
notes that the biggest giveaway of the Charger is its four doors, two more than the Challenger. The Dodge Charger is slightly longer and wider than the Challenger, giving each passenger even more personal space. The Charger also offers more cargo area.Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
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Dodge Challenger Hellcat
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The Dodge Challenger Hellcat models come with the same horsepower specs, though they have slightly more torque with 656 lb-ft. Additionally, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment and an optional eight-speed. Neither of these factors does much to improve the car's fuel economy, which is only 16 mpg combined. The Charger's gas mileage is just one point below that.
Just like the Charger, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat can comfortably seat five riders. Drivers can choose between cloth or leather seats, both of which offer ventilation and heating up front. It's worth noting that these comfort features are standard on the Dodge Charger Hellcat.
Both cars also come with touchscreen displays equipped with smartphone integration, though the interface feels like it's stuck in the ‘90s. The two are also fairly bare-bones in terms of safety equipment unless you want to pay extra. The Dodge Challenger Hellcat only has backup cameras, while the Charger has that in addition to rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitors.
Fortunately, both of these highly sought-after vehicles get Dodge's Enhanced Security package. It comes with an alarm, speed-limiting technology, and digital key protection.
Which Dodge Hellcat is right for you?
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While both Hellcats have great potential, the Dodge Challenger's leaner dimensions make it slightly more engaging to drive. If you're leaning towards practicality, the Dodge Charger might be a better choice. It offers a few more standard features and can better accommodate a whole family of thrillseekers.
Regardless of which model you buy, any vehicle with a Hellcat V-8 deserves to be protected with good car insurance. Sign up with
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