Muscle cars have always been known for their powerful engines and thirst for fuel. With high performance variants today packing over 700 horsepower, some may wonder how far these modern day muscle machines can actually travel between gas station fill ups. While fuel economy is sacrificed for power, factors like gas tank size also determine driving range and convenience.
In this article, we’ll look at some of today’s strongest muscle cars from Dodge, reviewing gas tank capacities and estimated ranges for models like the Challenger and Charger in their potent Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat trims.
Dodge Challenger Scat Pack – Going the Distance
The Dodge Challenger Scat Pack harnesses a muscular 485 horsepower from its 6.4L V8 Hemi engine. Many consider this the sweet spot for blending power and more daily-driver friendly attributes like fuel efficiency. How does the Scat Pack’s gas mileage and tank size add up for real world range?
According to EPA estimates, the Challenger Scat Pack earns fuel economy ratings of 15 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. This nets out to an 18 mpg combined average in ideal conditions. Of course, aggressive driving will quickly diminish mpg. But even factoring in some spirited throttle usage, the Scat Pack can still achieve over 20 mpg at highway speeds.
The EPA estimates provide a window into fuel efficiency, but range also depends greatly on gas tank capacity. Here, the Scat Pack delivers excellent capability with its 18.5 gallon tank. This is on par with the largest tanks some midsize sedans offer. The combination of 18.5 gallons and Scat Pack’s mpg translates to an estimated max driving range of around 270 to 440 miles when freshly topped off.
Considering its performance pedigree, that’s excellent range from the Scat Pack’s fuel capacity. Drivers have the freedom to truly enjoy the V8’s 485 horsepower without constantly hunting for the next gas station stop. Open up the Scat Pack’s throttle and hear the roar of its big Hemi V8 while still having plenty of fuel for lengthy road trips.
Charger Scat Pack – Same Great Range, 4-Door Practicality
Like its two-door sibling, the Dodge Charger Scat Pack also enjoys the same 18.5 gallon fuel tank paired to a loud and powerful 6.4L Hemi V8 putting down 485 horsepower. With the same tank capacity and comparable mpg ratings to the Challenger Scat Pack, the Charger provides practically identical real-world range off a single fill up.
EPA estimates peg the Charger Scat Pack at 15 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. The extra 1 mpg highway rating gives the 4-door Charger a slight edge at the pump. But either model still delivers around 270-440 miles before drivers will need to top off the 18.5 gallon tank again.
That makes the Charger Scat Pack about as practical as a family sedan, but with the added joy of V8 muscle and roar under the hood. Charger buyers get the bonus interior room over the Challenger coupe too. So if looking cool while carrying extra passengers and some gear is a necessity, the Charger Scat Pack fulfills the role nicely while still providing beastly power and great range.
SRT Hellcat – Crazy Power with Surprising Range
When Dodge unleashed the 707 horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat for 2015, it created an instant icon. Packing supercar-rivaling power into a muscle coupe body, the Hellcat delivered ridiculous acceleration matched only by its thirst for premium fuel.
But even with 600+ hp creating a driving experience well beyond any family sedan, the Hellcat Challenger still provides decent range from its 18.5 gallon fuel tank. EPA estimates peg the Hellcat Challenger at 12 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined.
Clearly no one buys a Hellcat for gas mileage. However, even at a 15 mpg average, the 18.5 gallons under the Challenger Hellcat’s massive hood translate to around 270 highway miles per tank. Given the sheer potency produced by the Hellcat’s supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8, that’s rather remarkable range.
There’s undoubtedly a cost premium at the pump too, as the Hellcat demands 91+ octane fuel. But there’s also fun in mastering the balance of power and efficiency through smart driving techniques in the Hellcat Challenger.
Charger SRT Hellcat – Family Sedan or Fire-Breathing Beast?
Like its sibling, the Charger SRT Hellcat also comes equipped with the same insane 707 horsepower supercharged V8 paired to a 18.5 gallon fuel tank. EPA estimates give the Charger Hellcat one extra mpg across the board – 13 city, 22 highway, and 16 combined.
So again, while no one expects a 700+ hp beast to be fuel sipper, the Charger Hellcat can still hit an estimated range of around 300 miles give or take when filled up. That’s respectable capability for what is essentially one of the world’s quickest and most powerful 4-door sedans ever produced.
The Charger Hellcat provides the same knockout performance as the Challenger, but with improved interior space and entry/exit convenience thanks to its four doors versus the Challenger coupe’s two. The Charger Hellcat can embarrass supercars in a straight line one minute, then comfortably carry 4 adult passengers the next.
V6 Power – Great MPG, Good Range
At the other end of the spectrum, both the Challenger and Charger are also offered with potent yet efficient V6 engines. With the Charger, the 3.6L Pentastar V6 makes a healthy 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque while earning fuel economy ratings of 19 city, 30 highway, and 23 combined mpg. In the Challenger, the V6 achieves similar mpg but gets a boost to 303 hp.
With their large 18.5 gallon tanks matched to more frugal V6 range, both the Challenger and Charger can easily eclipse 400 miles between fill ups when cruising. The Challenger V6 for example should manage around 420 miles per tank on the highway. The Charger can top 500 miles with a balance of city and highway driving thanks to its ultra-high 30 mpg hwy rating.
For those who love the style and performance looks of the Dodge muscle cars but don’t necessarily need extreme acceleration and horsepower, the V6 models deliver plenty of capability with much lower fuel costs and long driving range. A Challenger or Charger V6 lets owners enjoy the thrill of rear-wheel drive performance in an iconic American muscle coupe or sedan without constantly hunting for fuel stops.
Final Thoughts on Fuel Range and Tanks in Today’s Muscle Cars
When you combine high horsepower engines and large gas tanks, today’s Dodge Challenger and Charger deliver surprisingly good range. The sweet spot for many is the Scat Pack trims, with big Hemi V8 performance mated to 18.5 gallon tanks that allow comfortable cruising range between 300-400 miles. Even the supercharged Hellcat models hold enough fuel for a respectable distance given their outrageous power numbers. And V6 models sip gas while offering huge range for long hauls.
Performance does require some sacrifice of fuel economy compared to standard sedans or crossovers. But even at the extremes of 700+ horsepower, today’s muscle cars remain surprisingly road trip capable thanks to capacity in the range of 18-19 gallons. With smart driving, you can enjoy the thrill of American V8 power and still arrive at your destination without constant refueling stops.
When you want the audible rumble and tire-shredding torque of a modern muscle machine, the Dodge Challenger and Charger deliver icons with the performance pedigree expected – now with the gas tank capacities to make enjoying miles of V8 motoring a reality. Whether cruising scenic highways in a Scat Pack or blasting the 1/4 mile at wide open throttle in a Hellcat, you can still count on respectable range from some of the biggest gas tanks in the muscle car world today.