Is a Dodge Demon a Duster?

No. A Dodge Demon is not a Duster. The Demon is a high-performance variant of the Dodge Challenger, produced in limited numbers in 2018, while Duster refers to other, unrelated cars from different brands and eras.

To understand the question, it helps to separate the two names by their origins, production years, and market positioning. The Demon sits in the Mopar performance universe as a Challenger variant, whereas the Duster appears in history as a Plymouth model in the United States and, in Europe, as Renault’s Dacia Duster — a separate vehicle family with different goals and branding.

Dodge Demon: A high-performance Challenger

Here are some key facts about the Dodge Demon and where it fits in the lineup:

• Based on the Dodge Challenger platform, the SRT Demon is a factory-performance version designed for drag racing and straight-line speed.


• Powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 producing up to about 840 horsepower under the right conditions, paired with heavy-duty drivetrain components.


• Achieves rapid acceleration, with factory figures often cited around 0–60 mph in approximately 2.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time in the high-9-second range on a prepped surface with proper tires.


• Produced in a limited run of roughly 3,300 units, making it one of Mopar’s most exclusive modern models.


• Equipped with drag-focused features and performance electronics to maximize straight-line speed, positioning it as a specialized, track-friendly variant rather than a general-purpose street car.

In short, the Dodge Demon is a variant of the Challenger built for drag racing and limited production, not a Duster in any sense.

What is the Duster?

The name Duster has appeared in multiple, distinct contexts, none of which are Dodge’s modern mainstream lineup:

• Plymouth Duster (1970–1976) — a compact two-door coupe built on the Valiant/Valiant Duster lineage, offered with a range of engines including Slant-6 and V8 options. It was a different brand under Chrysler’s umbrella, not a Dodge model in its own right.


• Renault/Dacia Duster (2009–present) — a compact crossover SUV developed by Renault’s Dacia division and sold globally. It’s a separate vehicle family with no direct Dodge counterpart in most markets.

There is no current Dodge model named Duster, and the historical Duster models are not related to the modern Dodge Demon beyond sharing the Mopar heritage umbrella in some conversations. The two belong to different brands, years, and vehicle categories.

Common confusion and how to tell them apart

People often mix up naming because both terms start with “D” and sit in the broader world of American muscle and European economy cars. The easiest ways to tell them apart are by branding, era, and purpose: the Demon is a Challenger-based, modern American muscle car focused on drag racing; the Duster refers to either a classic Plymouth model from the 1970s or a European Renault/Dacia SUV from the 2000s onward.

Summary

The Dodge Demon is not a Duster. The Demon is a limited-production, high-performance variant of the Dodge Challenger built for drag racing. The Duster name has historical ties to the Plymouth brand in the U.S. and to Renault/Dacia in Europe, representing completely different vehicles and eras. For modern Dodge buyers, there is no current Dodge Duster in production, and the two names describe distinct cars with separate audiences.

What type of car is a Dodge Demon?

A "Dodge Demon" can refer to a few different vehicles, most notably the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon and the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, which are high-performance muscle cars based on the Challenger platform. It can also refer to the Dodge Dart Demon, a fastback version of the Dodge Dart from the 1970s, and the 2007 Dodge Demon concept car.
 
You can watch this video to learn more about the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170: 59sThrottle HouseYouTube · Dec 20, 2024

• Dodge Challenger SRT Demon (2018): A limited-production, high-horsepower muscle car built on the Dodge Challenger platform. 
• Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 (2023): A special final edition of the Challenger, known for its extreme power (up to 1,025 horsepower on E85 ethanol fuel) and performance-tuned for drag racing. 
• Dodge Dart Demon (1971–1972): A two-door fastback coupe variant of the Dodge Dart. 
• Dodge Demon concept car (2007): A concept vehicle from DaimlerChrysler designed as a potential Dodge model to sit below the Viper. 

In modern conversation, "Dodge Demon" almost always refers to one of the high-performance Challenger models, with the Demon 170 being the most recent and powerful iteration. 
You can watch this video to see a Dodge Challenger Demon in action: 57sRaiti's RidesYouTube · Apr 26, 2025

What was the Dodge version of the Duster?

The Plymouth Duster's main Dodge equivalent is the Dodge Demon (1971–1972), which was essentially the same car with different styling. When the Demon name was changed due to a negative reaction, Dodge's equivalent became the Dodge Dart Sport (1973–1976). These cars were built on the same A-body platform as the Duster.
 

• Dodge Demon (1971–1972): This was Dodge's direct counterpart to the Duster. It shared the same chassis and body, with minor differences in the front and rear styling. 
• Dodge Dart Sport (1973–1976): Following the Demon's name change due to public outcry, the Dodge Dart Sport became the new version of the fastback compact, making it the spiritual successor and equivalent to the Duster. 

Both the Duster and its Dodge counterparts were built on the Mopar A-body platform, meaning they were mechanically very similar and shared many components.

What type of car is a Duster?

A "Duster" can refer to either a 1970s American muscle car or a modern European crossover SUV. The original Plymouth Duster was a two-door coupe from 1970-1976 that was a sporty version of the Plymouth Valiant. The more modern Dacia Duster is a subcompact crossover SUV made by the Romanian manufacturer Dacia (part of the Renault group) since 2010.
 
1970s Plymouth Duster 

• Vehicle Type: Two-door, semi-fastback coupe 
• Manufacturer: Plymouth 
• Era: 1970-1976 model years 
• Platform: Based on the Plymouth Valiant 
• Key Features: Originally designed as an affordable performance car with optional V8 engines, it was a compact "muscle car" that competed with models like the Ford Maverick and Chevy Nova. 

Modern Dacia Duster 

• Vehicle Type: Subcompact crossover SUV
• Manufacturer: Dacia (Renault)
• Era: 2010-present (currently in its third generation)
• Key Features: Marketed as a versatile and affordable SUV, it is also sold as the Renault Duster in many markets outside of Europe. 

What is the difference between a demon and a duster in 1971?

Demons and Dusters were basically the exact same car, the Mopar A-body, albeit with very slightly different front end treatment and unique-to-the-brand taillights. Available starting March 1, 1971, a Sizzler “trim package” became available to add some spice to the line.