What size engines do challengers have?
Across its history, the Challenger has offered engine displacements from 3.6 liters in the base V6 to multiple V8 options—including 5.7L, 6.1L, 6.4L and several 6.2L supercharged variants—with the extreme Demon editions producing around 1,000 hp.
The Challenger lineup has evolved since its revival, with base V6 models for everyday driving and progressively larger, more powerful Hemi V8s in the performance-focused trims such as Scat Pack, Hellcat, Redeye, and Demon editions. This article explains the engine sizes that have powered the Challenger across its generations.
Core engine sizes
This section covers the conventional engine displacements that powered most Challenger trims, from the base model up to the naturally aspirated performance variants.
- 3.6-liter Pentastar V6
- 5.7-liter Hemi V8
- 6.1-liter Hemi V8 (SRT8, earlier generations)
- 6.4-liter Hemi V8 (392, common in Scat Pack and higher)
In summary, the Challenger’s standard lineup spans from a 3.6L V6 to up to a 6.4L naturally aspirated V8 in the mid-to-upper trims.
Supercharged and extreme variants
This section highlights the high-performance and limited-edition engines that define the Challenger’s top-end capabilities.
- 6.2-liter Hemi V8 (supercharged) used in Hellcat models, delivering about 700 hp (varies by year and model)
- 6.2-liter Hemi V8 in Redeye variants, pushing horsepower higher (around 797 hp in typical configurations)
- 6.2-liter Hemi V8 for extreme Demon editions, including the Demon 170, tuned for up to around 1,000 hp on high-octane/E85 fuel variants
Across these high-performance configurations, the 6.2-liter family remains the cornerstone of Challenger power, with boost levels and tuning driving a wide range of horsepower—from roughly 700 hp in early Hellcats to over 1,000 hp in the Demon 170.
Historical context and notable notes
Notable past engines
Beyond the core and supercharged lineups, the Challenger has featured additional historic displacements, such as the 6.1-liter Hemi in earlier SRT8 models, reflecting the model’s performance-oriented evolution during the 2010s.
- 6.1-liter Hemi V8 (SRT8, 2011–2014)
These historical engines illustrate the Challenger’s shift from a broad V8 focus to increasingly specialized, high-output variants in later years.
Summary
The Dodge Challenger has offered a broad spectrum of engine sizes, starting with a 3.6L V6 and expanding through 5.7L, 6.1L, and 6.4L naturally aspirated V8 options. The range is topped by the 6.2L Hemi family in various supercharged forms—the Hellcat, Redeye, and Demon editions—with the Demon 170 reaching around the 1,000-horsepower mark on suitable fuel. Availability varies by model year and trim, with special editions representing the peak of Challenger performance.
Summary of engine sizes by category
Core, everyday performance: 3.6L V6 to 6.4L NA V8.
High-performance and extreme models: 6.2L supercharged V8 variants, including Demon editions delivering the highest horsepower.
