Is Challenger faster than Hellcat?
No. In the Dodge Challenger lineup, the Hellcat models are the performance-focused variants and are faster than the standard Challenger in every major metric—horsepower, acceleration, and top speed.
The Challenger name covers a range of trims, from the entry-level SXT with a 3.6-liter V6 to the blistering SRT Hellcat variants with supercharged V8s. The Hellcat family is designed for speed, delivering dramatically quicker 0-60 times and higher top speeds than non-Hellcat Challengers. Here’s a focused look at where the performance gap comes from and how far it reaches across the lineup.
Performance gap in horsepower
Representative horsepower figures for the most common Challenger trims (note that figures vary by model year and options):
- Base SXT / GT (3.6L V6): about 303 hp
- R/T (5.7L Hemi): about 375 hp
- Scat Pack (6.4L Hemi): about 485 hp
- SRT Hellcat (6.2L supercharged): about 707 hp
- SRT Hellcat Redeye (6.2L supercharged): about 797 hp
These numbers illustrate the order of magnitude gaps between non-Hellcat and Hellcat models. Even the most powerful non-Hellcat variants browse well below the low-to-mid 700s horsepower, while Hellcat models cross into 700–800 hp territory.
0-60 mph and top speed benchmarks
To illustrate acceleration and speed, here are typical ranges reported across model years (real-world results vary with drivetrain, tires, and weight options):
- Base Challenger SXT/GT: roughly 6.0–7.0 seconds 0-60 mph; top speed around 150–160 mph
- R/T: roughly 5.0–5.5 seconds 0-60 mph; top speed around 165–175 mph
- Scat Pack: roughly 4.2–4.5 seconds 0-60 mph; top speed around 175–180 mph
- Hellcat: roughly 3.3–3.5 seconds 0-60 mph; top speed around 196–199 mph
- Hellcat Redeye: roughly 3.3–3.5 seconds 0-60 mph; top speed around 199–203 mph
Again, the trend is clear: Hellcat variants deliver substantially faster launches and higher top speeds compared with standard Challenger trims. The Demon, when discussed, is faster still but is a separate category within the broader SRT lineup rather than a Hellcat model.
Current status and context
As of the model-year horizon around 2023–2025, Dodge shifted away from new Challenger production, ending the ICE Challenger lineup with the 2023 model year and launching limited Final Editions. The Hellcat lineage remains the reference point for performance within the Challenger family, even as the brand moves toward electrification in its broader future products. For enthusiasts, the last-run Challengers still offer the same blistering performance numbers that defined the nameplate.
Summary
The Hellcat versions are the fastest in the Challenger family, delivering far more horsepower and quicker 0-60 times than the non-Hellcat models. While the base Challenger focuses on everyday usability, the Hellcat and its high-end variants push into supercar-adjacent territory, a gap that persists even as the model lineup moves toward its final years in production.
