Do Dodge Chargers burn gas fast?
Yes. Dodge Chargers, especially the high-performance variants, tend to burn fuel more quickly than many mid-size sedans. The base V6 models are comparatively modest in their thirst, but as you move to V8s and supercharged versions, fuel economy drops notably.
To understand why—and what that means for real-world driving—it's important to examine the available engines, how they affect efficiency, and how driving style and vehicle weight factor in. The Charger has long offered a broad engine lineup, from efficient everyday powerplants to extreme performance units, which explains the wide range in fuel consumption across trims.
Engine options and fuel economy
The Charger’s powertrain lineup spans from a practical V6 to several high-performance V8s. EPA ratings (which vary by year, drivetrain, and configuration) illustrate a broad spectrum:
- 3.6L Pentastar V6 (8-speed automatic; RWD standard, AWD optional): typically around 19 mpg city / 30 mpg highway / 23 mpg combined. AWD tends to lower combined mileage slightly.
- 5.7L Hemi V8 (8-speed automatic): roughly 16 mpg city / 25 mpg highway / 19 mpg combined (RWD; AWD can be a bit lower).
- 6.4L Hemi V8 (392, Scat Pack): about 14-15 mpg city / 23-24 mpg highway / 17-18 mpg combined (varies by year and gear ratio).
- 6.2L Supercharged Hemi (Hellcat): around 11 mpg city / 22 mpg highway / 14-15 mpg combined.
- 6.2L Supercharged Hemi (Redeye): similar to Hellcat figures, typically around 11 mpg city / 22 mpg highway / 14-15 mpg combined.
Concluding paragraph: The range from the efficient V6 to the extreme supercharged V8 reflects Dodge’s performance-first approach. Base models emphasize economy more than the top-tier, extreme variants, which are designed for straight-line speed rather than fuel efficiency.
Real-world driving and what affects mpg
Sticker numbers are a baseline. Real-world fuel economy depends on how you drive, where you drive, and how the car is equipped.
- Weight and aerodynamics: Charger is a relatively large, heavy sedan; more mass and boxy shape reduce efficiency, especially at higher speeds and during rapid acceleration.
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive models usually achieve better efficiency than all-wheel drive versions, all else equal, though differences can be modest on some trims.
- Turbo/tuning and gearing: The 8-speed automatic helps highway efficiency, but aggressive shifts and high revs in performance modes can lower mpg.
- Driving style and load: Aggressive acceleration, frequent hard braking, and carrying extra weight (passengers, cargo, performance tires) can substantially reduce mileage.
Concluding paragraph: In practice, you’ll likely see EPA ranges closer to the stated numbers for the V6 with calm driving, but any of the V8-powered Chargers will typically deliver noticeably lower real-world fuel economy, especially in city driving or when the car is driven aggressively.
Tips to improve fuel economy on a Charger
Tips can help maximize efficiency across the lineup, especially for daily commuters using a Charger with more than minimal power.
- Use drive modes that favor efficiency (if equipped) and moderate acceleration to keep revs and loads down.
- Keep tires properly inflated and maintain alignment; reduced efficiency can sneak in with underinflated tires or misalignment.
- Follow routine maintenance: air filters, spark plugs, and recommended oil grade affect efficiency.
- Plan trips to minimize short trips and idling; combine errands when possible to reduce cold-start penalties.
- Limit roof racks and heavy cargo on the highway to reduce aerodynamic drag.
Concluding paragraph: While performance-oriented Chargers will inherently consume more fuel, these best practices help all trims extract more miles per gallon and reduce operating costs over time.
The bigger picture: the Charger’s future
Dodge has signaled a shift toward electrification in its lineup, with future Charger variants expected to rely on electric propulsion. For now, the gasoline-powered Chargers—across V6 and V8 configurations—remain the reference point for how the model behaves in terms of fuel use. Prospective buyers seeking maximum efficiency should weigh the trade-offs between performance and economy across the trim spectrum.
Summary
Dodge Chargers deliver a broad spectrum of fuel economy, from relatively efficient V6 models to high-powered V8 variants that are markedly thirstier. Real-world mileage often lags EPA estimates, especially in city driving or with aggressive driving. If fuel economy is a priority, the V6 trims offer the best efficiency, while the more powerful Hellcat and Redeye versions trade mileage for straight-line performance. Looking ahead, Dodge’s electrification push may redefine the Charger’s balance of performance and efficiency in the future, but current gasoline-powered trims remain the benchmark for fuel use in the lineup.
