The 2023 Dodge Challenger lineup: three engines, five trims, and what changes between them

The 2023 Dodge Challenger comes in five trim levels—SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, and SRT Hellcat—paired with three engine options. Your choice of trim determines your interior features, suspension tuning, and available technology. Your engine choice determines acceleration, fuel economy, and how much you'll spend at the pump. Most buyers pick a trim first based on budget and features, then choose an engine based on how they actually drive.

The base SXT and GT trims use the 3.6-liter V6. The R/T and Scat Pack use the 5.7-liter V8. The SRT Hellcat uses a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 and cannot be ordered with anything else. Understanding what each combination gives you—and what you lose when you step down—matters because the Challenger's real cost isn't just the sticker price; it's fuel, insurance, and maintenance over the years you own it.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2023 Challenger offers a 3.6-liter V6 in base trims, a 5.7-liter V8 in mid-range models, and a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 only in the SRT Hellcat.
  • SXT and GT trims share the same V6 engine but differ in interior materials, seating comfort, and standard technology features.
  • R/T and Scat Pack both use the 5.7-liter V8 but the Scat Pack adds a performance suspension, upgraded brakes, and a more aggressive exterior.
  • The SRT Hellcat is a fixed package: supercharged V8, widebody fenders, Brembo brakes, and performance suspension with no downgrades available.
  • Fuel economy drops significantly with each engine step up, from around 19 city/29 highway in the V6 to 13 city/21 highway in the Hellcat.

SXT and GT: the V6 Challenger

Both the SXT and GT use the 3.6-liter V6, which produces 305 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The V6 is the most fuel-efficient option and the cheapest to insure, but it's also the slowest—0 to 60 takes roughly 6 seconds, and the car feels less planted on the highway than the V8 models.

The difference between SXT and GT is trim content, not mechanical. The SXT is the bare-bones version: cloth seats, a 7-inch touchscreen, manual windows and locks, and steel wheels. The GT adds leather upholstery, an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power windows and locks, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Both come with the same suspension tuning and brakes. If you want a Challenger for weekend cruising and don't care about straight-line speed, the GT V6 is the least expensive way in.

R/T: the standard 5.7-liter V8

The R/T is where the Challenger becomes a real performance car. The 5.7-liter V8 produces 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque—a jump of 65 horsepower over the V6. Acceleration is noticeably sharper: 0 to 60 in around 4.5 seconds. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and comes with a performance-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and a more aggressive exterior (hood vents, a larger grille, and a rear spoiler).

The R/T interior is similar to the GT: leather seats, the 8.4-inch touchscreen, and 20-inch alloy wheels. The real cost is fuel economy—expect around 16 city/25 highway, compared to 19 city/29 in the V6. Insurance will also be higher because the V8 is faster and statistically more likely to be driven hard. The R/T is the sweet spot for buyers who want genuine performance without the extreme cost of the Scat Pack or Hellcat.

R/T Scat Pack: the track-focused V8

The Scat Pack uses the same 5.7-liter V8 as the R/T but adds performance upgrades that make it noticeably sharper on a road course or drag strip. The suspension is stiffer with performance dampers, the brakes are larger and upgraded to Brembo units, and the rear axle is a limited-slip differential instead of an open one. The exterior is more aggressive: a wider stance, a functional hood scoop, a larger rear wing, and a blacked-out grille.

Inside, the Scat Pack adds performance seats with more side bolster support, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and a performance gauge cluster. The transmission is the same 8-speed automatic, but the engine is tuned slightly differently and sounds more aggressive. Fuel economy is similar to the R/T—around 16 city/25 highway—but the Scat Pack costs significantly more. You're paying for suspension and brake upgrades that matter only if you actually track the car or drive it hard regularly. For street driving, the R/T is nearly as fast and much cheaper.

SRT Hellcat: the supercharged extreme

The SRT Hellcat is not a trim level you customize; it's a fixed package. The engine is a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Acceleration is brutal: 0 to 60 in roughly 3.6 seconds, and the quarter-mile in the low 11-second range. This is a genuinely fast car, not just a fast Challenger.

The Hellcat comes standard with a widebody kit (wider fenders to fit wider tires), Brembo brakes with 6-piston front calipers, a performance suspension, a limited-slip differential, and a functional hood scoop. Inside, you get leather seats, the 8.4-inch touchscreen, and a performance gauge cluster. The catch is fuel economy: expect 13 city/21 highway, and that's if you drive conservatively. Insurance will be the highest of any Challenger because the Hellcat is the fastest and most expensive to repair. A single accident can total the car.

Engine and transmission details across all trims

All 2023 Challengers use an 8-speed automatic transmission. There is no manual option. The V6 is the only engine available in SXT and GT. The 5.7-liter V8 is standard in R/T and Scat Pack and cannot be downgraded to the V6. The supercharged 6.2-liter is exclusive to the SRT Hellcat.

Fuel economy varies by engine and driving conditions. The EPA rates the V6 at 19 city/29 highway/23 combined. The 5.7-liter V8 (R/T and Scat Pack) is rated 16 city/25 highway/20 combined. The supercharged 6.2-liter (Hellcat) is rated 13 city/21 highway/16 combined. Real-world numbers depend heavily on driving habits; aggressive acceleration and highway speeds above 70 mph will lower these figures.

Exterior and interior differences by trim

The SXT has a basic exterior: standard grille, no hood vents, and steel wheels. The GT adds a more aggressive grille and 18-inch alloy wheels. The R/T adds hood vents, a functional air intake, a larger rear spoiler, and 20-inch wheels. The Scat Pack adds a wider stance, a functional hood scoop, a blacked-out grille, and a more aggressive rear wing. The Hellcat adds the widebody kit, which is the most visually distinctive change.

Inside, the SXT has cloth seats and a 7-inch touchscreen. The GT and higher add leather upholstery and an 8.4-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration. The Scat Pack and Hellcat add performance-oriented seats with more side support and a flat-bottom steering wheel. All models above SXT include power windows, power locks, and dual-zone climate control. The Hellcat adds a performance gauge cluster that displays boost pressure and other engine data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the Hellcat engine in an R/T or Scat Pack trim?

No. The supercharged 6.2-liter is exclusive to the SRT Hellcat. You cannot order a Hellcat engine in any other trim level. If you want the Hellcat engine, you must buy the complete SRT Hellcat package, which includes the widebody, Brembo brakes, and performance suspension.

What's the real difference between the R/T and Scat Pack?

Both use the same 5.7-liter V8 engine with the same horsepower. The Scat Pack adds a stiffer suspension, larger Brembo brakes, a limited-slip differential, and a more aggressive exterior. These upgrades matter on a track or during hard driving. For street use, the R/T is nearly as fast and costs significantly less.

Is the V6 Challenger worth buying, or should I stretch for a V8?

The V6 is adequate for casual driving and highway cruising, but it feels slow compared to the V8 models. If you plan to keep the car for several years, the V8 is worth the extra cost because it's more enjoyable to drive and holds its value better. If budget is tight and you drive mostly on highways, the GT V6 is a reasonable choice.

How much more does the Hellcat cost to own compared to an R/T?

The Hellcat costs significantly more to own. Insurance is typically 50 to 100 percent higher. Fuel costs roughly double because of the supercharged engine's thirst. Maintenance and repairs are more expensive because of the specialized supercharger and performance components. The Hellcat makes sense only if you genuinely want the performance and can afford the total cost of ownership.

Do all 2023 Challengers come with all-wheel drive?

No. The 2023 Challenger is rear-wheel drive only across all trims and engines. There is no all-wheel-drive option. This affects traction in snow and wet conditions, so budget for winter tires if you live in a cold climate.