If you want to let loose on the road with a truly powerful muscle car, then you can’t go wrong with a Dodge. As your Dodge dealer near Rock Hill, we here at Gastonia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram are happy to serve drivers with a need for speed who are looking for a car that’s engineered to deliver thrills with top-notch performance. There are plenty of great choices in the Dodge lineup, but today, we’ll be taking a look at just one: the 2023 Charger. The Charger is a full-size sedan that has plenty to offer. Its bold styling lets everyone know that you’re packing plenty of power under the hood with sculpted sheet metal, available racing stripes, and all the badges and hallmarks of a genuine Dodge. It also has a comfortable interior, with available features like sport seats and performance bolsters designed to keep you supported so you can stay in control, even at high speeds or around tight turns. But, of course, the style and support are all based around the real star of the show: the engine. With a muscle car, stats like horsepower, torque, and 0-60 mph times are some of the most important things to know before you buy. The 2023 Charger offers four different engines, each with its own specs. To help you finish your research ASAP so you can move on to the fun stuff (like a test drive), we’ve compiled this easy guide to the Charger’s engines. Read on to learn all about what makes this muscle car tick.

3.6L Pentastar V6

The 2023 Charger’s base engine is the only powertrain in the lineup that isn’t a HEMI V8, but try not to hold that against it. You can still zoom down I-77 with this Pentastar V6, which delivers up to 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque when paired with the base SXT trim and rear-wheel drive (RWD). In addition to being the most affordable option, this engine is also the most efficient, delivering up to 30 MPG on the highway, so you can save some money at the gas pump. The SXT AWD and GT trims also use the Pentastar V6, but upgrading to these models still gets you an extra boost of power. On these trims, the engine is tuned to deliver a little more horsepower and torque, bringing the totals up to 300 hp and 264 lb-ft. With that additional power, the Charger can accelerate from 0-60 mph in as little as 6.4 seconds. On the GT trim, this power pairs with a performance-tuned suspension that’s designed to deliver a smooth ride at any speed.

5.7L HEMI V8

Upgrading to the R/T trim doesn’t just get you an electronically-controlled active exhaust system and a leather-wrapped performance steering wheel with paddle shifters for extra control. It’s also the most affordable trim to come standard with a legendary HEMI V8 engine. The 345 “Eagle” HEMI under the hood of the R/T delivers up to 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, able to go from 0-60mph in as little as 5 seconds. While it burns through fuel more quickly than the V6, it uses MDS Fuel Saver Technology to deliver its power as efficiently as possible, making it capable of delivering up to 25 MPG on the highway. Rock Hillians who want a V8 engine without going over budget are sure to appreciate this option. The R/T trim has a starting MSRP of $45,065, making it the only V8-powered Charger in the lineup that’s available for under $50k.^[a] While choosing this one over a Scat Pack or Hellcat might feel practical on paper, we promise you that this entry-level option won’t feel like a compromise out on the open road.

6.4L Hemi V8

The Charger Scat Pack is a formidable trim that’s loaded with performance parts and is sure to impress even the most hardcore automotive enthusiasts. It can stop on a dime thanks to four-piston Brembo performance brakes and get going fast thanks to launch assist, line lock, and launch control. But, of course, those features are only necessary because it’s packing so much power. The 392 “Apache” HEMI V8 dramatically ups the ante, bringing the horsepower figure up to 485 hp and the torque up to 475 lb-ft. That brings the 0-60mph time down to a mere 4.5 seconds, so you can feel the rush that comes with lightning-quick acceleration. While it’s much more powerful than the 5.7L HEMI, Rock Hill drivers will appreciate that it’s only slightly less fuel efficient, bringing the highway fuel economy down by just one mile to 24 MPG. A small price to pay for the added performance.

6.2L HEMI Supercharged V8

At the top of the lineup, we have the legendary Hellcat V6. This 6.2L HEMI engine boasts different stats when paired with different trim levels, but no matter what you can count on it to be a force to be reckoned with. On the SRT Hellcat trim, you’ll get up to 717 hp and 656 lb-ft of torque, and the numbers only go up from there! To keep that power from getting out of hand, the SRT Hellcat features a performance hood with heat extractors, six-piston Brembo front brakes and four-piston Brembo rear brakes, and a competition suspension system. The top-tier trim levels take things even further by re-tuning the engine to truly deliver maximum power. The SRT Hellcat Redeye boasts 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque, but if you opt for the SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak, you’ll get the final available boost, bringing the horsepower all the way up to 807 hp. With this configuration, you can leave all of Rock Hill behind in the dust, zooming from 0-60mph in just 3.4 seconds. This trim isn’t just the top option for this model, or even for Dodge: it claimed the title of the world’s most powerful and fastest mass-produced muscle car at the time of its release. Truly, this is a model that sits at the top of the food chain.

Come in Today and Check Out the Dodge Charger

With so many great options to choose from, narrowing it down to just one model can be tricky. Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone. Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have, from broad strokes to minor details, and offer you advice if you’re looking for it. We’ve worked with all kinds of drivers before, so whether you’re looking for maximum power, a muscle car on a budget, or the right balance between a need for speed and a desire for reasonable fuel economy, we know how to point you in the right direction. Our dealership is conveniently located just north of the border between the Carolinas, and we’re happy to help our neighbors in Rock Hill get behind the wheel of the Charger for a test drive. If you want to get as much done at home as possible before you head out, you can use our website to browse the models we have in stock, apply for financing, and more. You can also give us a call if there’s anything you’re unsure of. Our dealership is open for evening and weekend hours, so it’s easy to find time to take the Charger out for a spin. We can’t wait to help you unlock the thrills that you can only experience behind the wheel of a quality muscle car.

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^[a] MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.