Three High-Speed Highlights of the 2023 Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger is one of the forerunners of the muscle car segment, delivering the sort of high-speed thrills and sporty styling that have made the sedan a true automotive icon. While a vehicle like the Charger could probably coast on its reputation alone, Dodge has worked to continually reinvent the muscle car for the modern market, incorporating new features, leveraging emerging technology, and responding to consumer demands to keep the Charger at the top of its segment.

The newest iteration in the forthcoming 2025 Charger is one of the most game-changing to date, with Dodge redesigning the muscle car from the ground up without losing sight of the attributes that have brought it so much success in the past. This includes an all-new, all-electric version dubbed the Charger Daytona, which promises no shortage of thrills with up to 670 hp and a zero-to-60-mph time of just 3.3 seconds. It’s a heck of a way to welcome the Charger back to our lineup here at Randy Marion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, your premier Dodge dealer, after a 12-month absence that saw Dodge skip the 2024 model year. 

The Charger might not have taken that long of a hiatus, but it’ll be a hot commodity when it returns to the streets in 2025. This anticipation, along with the consumer excitement that tends to come with the release of a new generation, is sure to create a lot of demand for the new eighth-gen Charger at your local Dodge dealer. Those who don’t want to pay a premium for getting behind the wheel of the all-new model should consider the 2023 Dodge Charger.

The last version of the seventh-gen Charger boasts a number of advantages for drivers who are looking to experience the muscle car lifestyle, especially when you take a peek under the hood. The 2023 Charger was the last to feature the legendary HEMI V8 that’s graced some of the most thrilling Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram models in recent memory. There’s certainly nothing wrong with the 2025 Charger’s 550 twin-turbo inline-six, but for performance-minded purists, there’s simply no substitute for a good HEMI. Join us as we review three highlights of the 2023 model and see how the Charger is keeping the muscle car relevant in a rapidly changing market. 

HEMI Power on Tap

A powerful engine lies at the heart of any muscle car worthy of the title, and the 2023 Dodge Charger is no exception. The SXT and GT trims might lack the traditional HEMI V8, but the 3.6-liter V6 is a satisfying substitute with the ability to churn out 300 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. That setup allows the Charger’s entry-level trims to offer a zero-to-60-mph time of 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 132 mph that, if not for the presence of a built-in governor, could probably be a little higher. The V6 isn’t just the most efficient Charger on offer at 19 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway, it also benefits from the same eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive setup you’ll find on the HEMI-powered Charger. This means that, pure horsepower and torque aside, all drivers will be able to enjoy the same potent powertrain no matter their budget. 

But there’s no substitute for a HEMI. Drivers who want to unleash the Charger’s full potential should take a closer look at the R/T trim, which comes standard with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that can put out 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque without breaking a sweat. The Charger Scat Pack and Scat Pack Widebody trims add a little extra displacement with a 6.4-liter HEMI that, thanks to 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, can hit 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds.

While this sort of performance is the obvious selling point of the HEMI engine, Dodge has also balanced out that raw power with a handy Fuel Saver Technology feature that sees both the 5.7- and 6.4-liter engines offer some impressive efficiency despite their eight-cylinder setup. The 5.7-liter offers an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 16 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway, while the 6.4-liter isn’t far behind at 15 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. 

If the 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 isn’t enough to get your blood pumping, a little forced induction might change your outlook. The Charger’s trim-topping SRT Hellcat, SRT Hellcat Redeye, and SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak are three no-holds-barred high-performance machines that pair the 6.2-liter HEMI with a supercharger to squeeze every last pony out of the iconic engine. The Charger SRT Hellcat makes do with “just” 717 hp, but the High-Output variant found under the hood of the SRT Hellcat Redeye and SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak up that number to 797 and 807 hp respectively. Add in 707 lb-ft of torque, and you’ll be able to rocket from zero to 60 mph in a scant 3.5 seconds  

Dodge Performance Pages

There’s no question that the Dodge Charger was created with closed tracks in mind. When a vehicle is capable of the sort of muscle car antics that the Charger can pull off, it’s a shame to confine it to roads where pesky things like speed limits can get in the way of unleashing its true potential. The 2023 Charger comes with a generous suite of track-focused apps that allow drivers to log relevant metrics and take full advantage of the car’s brawny powertrain.

It all starts with Dodge Performance Pages, a one-stop shop where you can monitor and record real-time performance data. Accessed through the Charger’s dash-mounted Uconnect infotainment system, Dodge Performance Pages can track everything from horsepower and boost pressure to intake air temperature, air/fuel ratio, intercooler temperature, transmission oil temperature and more. Navigate to the G-Force tab and you’ll be able to easily monitor lateral/longitudinal G-Force, peak G-Force and even steering angle. Finally there’s the timer page where drivers can browse their best zero-to-60/100-mph times, 1/8- and 1/4-mile times with mpg, braking distance and braking speed.  

Dodge Performance Pages also serve as the command center for performance-enhancing apps like Launch Control and Line Lock. Launch Control has made its way onto an increasing number of models in recent years and is a particularly good pairing for today’s torque-rich EVs. This feature takes all the guesswork out of getting a good start off the line, tweaking the Charger’s throttle response to maximize acceleration and get you up to speed in the blink of an eye, but the 2023 Charger does the standard Launch Control feature one better with the addition of Line Lock. When activated, Line Lock allows the Charger’s front brakes to lock up while keeping the rear brakes wide open. This is the perfect recipe for a little burnout which, in addition to looking cool, also helps the rear wheels warm up for the ideal amount of race-ready traction. 

Eight Distinct Trims 

With eight trims to choose from, there’s a 2023 Charger out there to fit every driver and every budget. It all kicks off with the base model in the SXT, but there’s nothing basic about this sporty trim. Packed with the 300-horsepower V6, TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, and a touring suspension that elevates the everyday driving experience, the SXT also looks every bit the muscle car with 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, a gloss black grille, and houndstooth cloth sport seats. The SXT’s interior punches well above its low starting price with eight-way power driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar, six premium Alpine speakers with a 276-watt amplifier, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and a generous suite of advanced safety and security tech like ParkSense rear park assist, a keyless entry system with push-button start and the Sentry Key theft deterrent system. 

The GT trim ups the ante with a performance-focused suspension, three-mode electronic stability control, and a functional hood scoop that keeps the V6 supplied with a steady stream of cool, fresh air. A performance grille, rear body-colored spoiler, and 20-inch Satin Carbon wheels add a little sportiness to the setup, while features like an automatic-dimming rearview mirror and Dodge Performance Pages allow drivers to enjoy the latest automotive tech. The R/T trim is where the first HEMI enters the picture, but you can’t discount the trim’s high-speed engine controller and active exhaust system. The R/T also gains 20-inch machined wheels with Granite-colored pockets and a leather-wrapped performance steering wheel with paddle shifters that give drivers a little more control over the eight-speed transmission.   

The Scat Pack and Scat Pack Widebody trims are where the Charger really starts to flex its muscles. To contain all the power that the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 can produce, Dodge has outfitted the trims with four-piston Brembo brakes, a severe-duty cooling system, an anti-spin rear differential and more. These versions of the Charger are also treated to the Line Lock and Launch Assist features and set itself apart from the pack with 20-inch low-gloss Granite Crystal Wheels, black brake calipers, and projector LED fog lamps. As the name implies, the Scat Pack Widebody stretches out the Charger by 3.5 inches while also adding a Bilstein adaptive damping suspension with customizable ride stiffness settings, all-speed traction control, integrated fender flares, a performance fascia and two extra pistons for the Brembo brakes. 

The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye (Widebody and Jailbreak versions) isn’t just the fastest Charger on offer; it was also the most powerful and fastest mass-produced four-door muscle car when it hit the market in 2023. The 6.2-liter supercharged SRT HEMI V8 gets all the credit for that particular achievement, but Dodge has paired it with a well-rounded package that includes Pirelli P Zero tires, an SRT performance spoiler, and a single-scoop SRT hood with air intake. The posh interior fits the premium trim to a T with Dodge producing a luxurious interior complete with ventilated front seats, Laguna leather seat trim, door trim panel and a premium-stitched dash panel, heated rear seats, aluminum interior accents, an SRT leather steering wheel with red LED logo and advanced SRT multistage front airbags. The range-topping SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak’s most noteworthy addition is obviously the 807-horsepower version of the supercharged HEMI V8, but Dodge has also thrown in 20-inch lightweight low-gloss black wheels, a 220 mph speedometer and an SRT power chiller that’ll keep everything nice a cool. 

Satisfy Your Need for Speed Behind the Wheel of a Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger might not have created the muscle car segment, but it just might have perfected it. Dodge is always pushing the envelope when it comes to automotive engineering and design, producing some of the fastest and most eye-catching models the industry has ever seen. The Charger, along with its two-door sibling in the Dodge Challenger, has been turning heads for over 50 years, whether it be on the banked tracks of North Wilkesboro Speedway, rush hour traffic, or a classic car show.

You can’t discuss the Charger’s history without factoring in the HEMI V8. The muscle car and its equally muscular engine are a match made in automotive heaven, offering drivers a surplus of power that provides edge-of-your-seat excitement every time you step on the gas pedal. The introduction of the new, eighth-generation Charger might mean the end of the HEMI, but drivers should be more than satisfied with its replacement in the new Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six, not to mention the muscle car’s all-electric evolution in the Charger Daytona. If you’re looking to learn more about any of these models or experience the Charger legend firsthand, make tracks for Randy Marion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today.

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