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What does a Dodge Challenger top out at?

The Dodge Challenger’s factory top speed ranges from about 130 mph on the base V6 to 203 mph in the top-tier SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody, with the historic Demon clocking in around 168 mph. These figures come from factory specifications and can be affected by tires, aero options, gearing, and electronic limiters. Note that production of the Challenger ended after the 2023 model year, so the current lineup reflects the final configurations Dodge offered.


Top speeds by trim


Below is a breakdown of official top speeds by trim, illustrating how performance scales across the Challenger lineup.



  • SXT/GT (3.6L V6): up to about 130 mph (210 km/h)

  • R/T (5.7L Hemi): up to about 150–160 mph (240–260 km/h)

  • Scat Pack (392, 6.4L): up to about 180 mph (290 km/h)

  • Scat Pack Widebody: around 180–190 mph (290–305 km/h)





These numbers represent stock configurations as published by Dodge and related automotive sources. Real-world speeds can vary due to tire choice, weather, track conditions, and whether a vehicle is limited by electronic governors or gearing.


Extreme variants and historical notes


Across the Challenger’s history, a few variants have stood out for their unusual top-end profiles. The Demon remains the most famous drag-focused outlier, while the Hellcat family pushes the street-legal envelope toward the 200 mph mark with high-performance tires and aero. The following quick notes highlight these extremes.



  • Demon (2018): factory top speed around 168 mph, tuned for drag racing with specialized equipment

  • Hellcat/Redeye family: top speeds approach or exceed 199 mph, with Redeye variants reaching about 203 mph in factory form


These extremes show how Dodge calibrated the Challenger for very different missions—straight-line acceleration versus sustained high-speed road performance—within the same model line.


How top speed is measured and real-world factors


Top speed is a function of engine output, aerodynamics, gearing, and electronic limiter settings. Higher-performance models use larger tires, wider bodies, and more aggressive gearing to maximize speed, while some variants run limiter settings that cap the speed on public roads. Real-world results depend on tire grip, temperature, altitude, and vehicle condition, so owners may see numbers that differ from the factory figure.


Practical considerations


For most Challenger owners, top-end capability matters less than handling, braking, and daily usability. Tire choice, fuel economy, maintenance costs, and insurance considerations all play a role in how the car feels on the road or at a track day. Track enthusiasts often optimize their setups to approach the higher end of these top-speed figures, while everyday drivers may never reach them outside of controlled environments.


Summary


The Dodge Challenger’s top-speed spectrum runs from roughly 130 mph on base V6 models to 203 mph on the high-performance Hellcat Redeye Widebody, with the Demon occupying a historical niche at about 168 mph. The variation across trims reflects Dodge’s multiple performance targets—from everyday sportiness to drag strip specialization—within a single, iconic muscle car line.

What does the Hellcat top out at?


The top speed for a Hellcat varies by model, with the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye having a top speed of 203 mph. Some older or specific versions, like the 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat, had a top speed of 199 mph, while other models like the SRT Super Stock are drag-limited to 168 mph despite their quick acceleration. 
You can watch this video to see the Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye's top speed: 54sMilesPerHrYouTube · Feb 15, 2021

  • Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye: 203 mph (top speed) 
  • Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock: 168 mph (top speed) 
  • 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat: 199 mph (top speed) 



What is the top speed of the Challenger 392?


The top speed for a Dodge Challenger 392 is around 182 mph for manual transmission models and approximately 175 mph for automatic versions. The actual top speed can vary based on factors like aerodynamics and whether the car is a manual or automatic, with some test drives reaching 174 mph. 

  • Manual Transmission: The manual version can reach a top speed of approximately 182 mph. 
  • Automatic Transmission: The automatic versions can reach about 175 mph. 
  • Drag-focused models: The drag-focused Challenger SRT 1320 has a limited top speed of 168 mph due to its street-legal drag radial tires. 



What does a Dodge Charger RT top out at?


149 MPH
2023 Dodge Charger RT Top Speed: 149 MPH. 2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Top Speed: 175 MPH. 2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody Top Speed: 175 MPH. 2023 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Top Speed: 196 MPH.



What's the top speed of a Dodge Challenger?


The top speed of a Dodge Challenger varies significantly by trim, with the SRT Hellcat Redeye and other high-performance models reaching the highest speeds, up to 203 mph. Lower trims like the SXT have a top speed of around 143 mph, while the SRT Demon is capped at 151 mph due to its factory drag radial tires.
 
You can watch this video to see a top speed test of a Challenger Scat Pack: 59sShmee150YouTube · Sep 27, 2020
Top speeds by trim

  • SRT Hellcat Redeye: 203 mph
  • SRT Demon: 151 mph (due to tires)
  • SRT Hellcat: 199 mph
  • Scat Pack: 182 mph (2016 model), 178 mph (392 model)
  • GT: 143 mph
  • SXT: 143 mph 


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

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Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.