What engine does a Dodge Charger use?
The Charger’s power comes from a range of engines, not a single unit. Across its production life, you could find everything from a 3.6-liter V6 to multiple Hemi V8s, including supercharged variants in the Hellcat lineup. The exact engine depends on the model year and trim, and the Charger ended production after the 2023 model year.
In detail, Dodge structured the Charger’s engine lineup into tiers that matched performance goals. The base models typically relied on a efficient V6, while performance-focused trims swapped in larger displacement V8s, culminating in the supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi in the Hellcat family. For buyers today, most options will be pre-owned, with engine availability tied to the vehicle’s year and badge.
Engine families that powered the Charger
Below are the principal engine families that have powered the Charger, listed with typical power ranges and the trims in which they appeared.
- 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 (approximately 292 hp): Used in base and mid-level trims, valued for daily driving comfort and efficiency.
- 5.7-liter Hemi V8 (approximately 375 hp): Found in RT/upper-mid trims, delivering noticeably more performance than the V6.
- 6.4-liter Hemi V8 (392, around 485 hp): The engine behind the Scat Pack lineup, offering a substantial uplift in power for performance-oriented drivers.
- 6.2-liter Supercharged Hemi V8 (Hellcat family): 707 hp in the standard Hellcat, 797 hp in the Redeye variant, and 807 hp in the Jailbreak configuration; used in higher-performance Charger models and limited editions.
Concluding note: Across its generations, the Charger evolved from practical V6 power to extreme-speed V8s, with the Hellcat variants delivering the most extreme horsepower figures in the model’s final years.
Engine options by model year (quick reference)
For a snapshot of which engines appeared by trim and year, consider this simplified guide. Exact horsepower can vary by year and market, especially with special editions.
Quick reference by trim
- SXT/GT: 3.6L Pentastar V6
- R/T: 5.7L Hemi V8
- Scat Pack: 6.4L Hemi V8
- Hellcat (standard): 6.2L Supercharged Hemi V8
- Charger Jailbreak: 6.2L Supercharged Hemi V8 (approximately 807 hp)
These mappings reflect the Chargers commonly seen on the road in its later years. Special editions and year-to-year tuning can alter horsepower slightly, but the progression from V6 to increasingly potent V8s remained the core pattern.
Discontinuation and current status
In 2023, Dodge confirmed the Charger would end production after the 2023 model year. That means no new Chargers are being built, and buyers are dealing with a shrinking used-market inventory rather than a fresh factory lineup. The broader performance ethos of the brand continues in other vehicles and in future, electrified projects, but the traditional, engine-forward Charger is retired from new-vehicle sales.
For current buyers, the key considerations are selecting a used Charger with the desired engine, understanding maintenance needs for high-performance variants, and verifying that the vehicle’s badge matches the intended powertrain (for example, a Hellcat or Redeye will have the unmistakable 6.2L supercharged V8 under the hood).
How to verify your Charger’s engine (practical steps)
If you’re shopping for a Charger and want to confirm the engine, use these practical checks. They help ensure you’re getting the powertrain you expect, especially in a used-car context.
- Check the VIN and build sheet: The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can confirm the engine code and trim.
- Inspect the badge and engine cover: Hellcat/Jailbreak editions typically display clear Hellcat branding on the engine cover or under-hood labels.
- Listen during a test drive: A V6 will sound notably different from a supercharged Hemi; Hellcat variants have a distinctive whine and aggressive exhaust.
- Review service records: High-performance variants require routine maintenance specific to supercharged powertrains (cooling, oil, belts, supercharger drive belt).
Bottom line: The Charger’s engine, from a practical V6 to an all-out Hellcat, defined its character across generations, and today’s used-market examples let buyers choose based on which powertrain suits their preferences.
Summary
The Dodge Charger offered a tiered lineup of engines: a base 3.6L Pentastar V6, followed by 5.7L Hemi V8, 6.4L Hemi V8, and multiple 6.2L supercharged Hemi V8 variants (Hellcat, Redeye, Jailbreak). The exact engine depended on year and trim, culminating in the extreme horsepower of the Jailbreak edition. Production ended after the 2023 model year, so current Chargers are pre-owned, with powertrains that reflect the model year and badge you’re considering. Buyers today should verify the engine through VIN, badge, and service history to ensure they get the intended powertrain.
