What the 2017 Charger delivers in fuel efficiency and emissions

The 2017 Dodge Charger is a full-size sedan powered by one of three engine options, and which one you choose determines both what you pay at the pump and what comes out of the tailpipe. The base model runs a 3.6-liter V6 that achieves 25 miles per gallon on the highway and 16 in the city when paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The mid-range 5.7-liter V8 drops those numbers to 24 highway and 15 city. The high-performance 5.7-liter V8 in the R/T and SRT models delivers the same fuel economy as the standard V8, but the SRT 392 variant with its 6.4-liter engine rates at 23 highway and 14 city.

All 2017 Chargers meet the emissions standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency for that model year. The V6 produces lower tailpipe emissions than either V8 option because it burns less fuel overall. If you're comparing this car to others in its class or to your current vehicle, the EPA's window sticker on the driver's side of any used Charger will show the combined fuel economy rating and annual fuel cost estimate based on average driving patterns.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2017 Charger V6 achieves 25 mpg highway and 16 mpg city, while V8 models range from 24/15 to 23/14 depending on engine size.
  • All three engine options meet 2017 EPA emissions standards, with the V6 producing the lowest tailpipe emissions due to lower fuel consumption.
  • The EPA fuel economy label on the driver's window of any used Charger shows the combined rating and estimated annual fuel cost for that specific vehicle.
  • Real-world fuel economy varies based on driving habits, road conditions, and maintenance, so actual mileage may differ from the EPA estimate.

Engine options and their fuel economy ratings

The 2017 Charger offered buyers three distinct powertrains. The 3.6-liter V6 with 292 horsepower was the standard engine and delivered the best fuel economy of the lineup. This engine paired only with an eight-speed automatic transmission and was available across all trim levels except the SRT 392.

The 5.7-liter V8 with 370 horsepower was the middle option, available in the R/T trim and some SE models. This engine also used the eight-speed automatic and achieved 24 mpg highway and 15 mpg city. The 6.4-liter V8 in the SRT 392 produced 485 horsepower but returned 23 mpg highway and 14 mpg city, making it the thirstiest option in the lineup.

Combined fuel economy—the number most people reference—was 19 mpg for the V6, 18 mpg for the standard V8, and 17 mpg for the SRT 392. These combined figures blend city and highway driving in a ratio that reflects typical American driving patterns.

How emissions standards work for 2017 model year vehicles

The EPA sets tailpipe emissions limits that all new cars must meet before they leave the factory. For 2017, the Charger met the Tier 2 Bin 5 standard for nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which was the requirement for that year. This means the car's catalytic converter and emissions control systems were designed to keep harmful pollutants below the legal threshold during normal operation.

Emissions testing happens in a laboratory under controlled conditions, not on the road. The EPA runs the car through a standardized driving cycle that simulates city and highway driving, measuring what comes out of the exhaust. A vehicle that passes this test is certified for sale in all 50 states, though California has its own stricter standards that some manufacturers meet voluntarily.

The 2017 Charger was not a hybrid or electric vehicle, so it produced emissions from burning gasoline in all three engine configurations. Larger engines burning more fuel naturally produce more total emissions, which is why the V6 option was the lowest-emission choice among the three.

Real-world fuel economy versus EPA estimates

The EPA numbers printed on the window sticker represent laboratory testing, not actual driving. Real-world fuel economy depends on how you drive, the roads you drive on, weather conditions, and how well the car is maintained. Aggressive acceleration, frequent braking, and highway driving at high speeds all reduce fuel economy below the EPA estimate. Conversely, steady highway driving at moderate speeds and well-maintained engines often meet or exceed the estimate.

For a used 2017 Charger, the condition of the engine, fuel injectors, and air filter all affect how efficiently it burns fuel. A car with 80,000 miles that has had regular oil changes will likely achieve closer to its EPA rating than one with the same mileage and spotty maintenance. Tire pressure also matters—underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy by a measurable amount.

Comparing the 2017 Charger to other sedans in its class

The 2017 Charger competes with other full-size performance sedans like the Chevrolet Impala and Chrysler 300. The Impala with its 3.6-liter V6 achieved 26 mpg highway and 17 mpg city, slightly better than the Charger's V6. The Chrysler 300 with a V6 delivered similar numbers to the Charger. When comparing V8 models, the Charger's fuel economy was competitive but not exceptional—many V8 sedans in that era achieved similar ratings.

If fuel economy is your primary concern, the V6 Charger was the better choice within the Charger lineup. If you were choosing between the Charger and other brands, the EPA labels on comparable vehicles would show you the exact difference in estimated annual fuel cost, which often matters more to buyers than the raw mpg number.

Maintenance and emissions system care

The catalytic converter and oxygen sensors in the 2017 Charger work together to keep emissions low. If the check engine light comes on, it often signals a problem with the emissions system—usually a loose gas cap, a faulty oxygen sensor, or a catalytic converter issue. Addressing these problems promptly keeps the car running efficiently and maintains fuel economy.

Regular oil changes, air filter replacements, and fuel system cleaning help the engine burn fuel more completely, which reduces both emissions and fuel consumption. A well-maintained 2017 Charger will stay closer to its EPA fuel economy rating than a neglected one. If you're buying a used Charger, asking for maintenance records is a practical way to gauge whether the previous owner kept the emissions systems in working order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the EPA combined fuel economy number mean?

The combined rating blends city and highway driving in a ratio that reflects how most Americans drive. It's not a straightforward average of the two numbers—it weights city driving more heavily because most trips include city miles. For the 2017 Charger V6, the combined 19 mpg is closer to the city number (16) than the highway number (25) for this reason.

Can I improve the fuel economy of a 2017 Charger after I buy it?

You can improve it somewhat through maintenance and driving habits. Keeping tires properly inflated, replacing air filters on schedule, and avoiding aggressive acceleration all help. However, the engine's fundamental design sets a ceiling—a V8 Charger will never achieve V6 fuel economy no matter how carefully you drive.

Does the 2017 Charger have any emissions control technology I should know about?

Yes. All 2017 Chargers have a catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, and an evaporative emissions control system that captures fuel vapors from the tank. These systems work automatically and require no action from you, but if any component fails, the check engine light will alert you and fuel economy will drop noticeably.

Is the 2017 Charger considered a gas guzzler?

The EPA does not formally label vehicles as gas guzzlers based on a single threshold. However, the V8 models, particularly the SRT 392, fall into the lower fuel economy range for their class. If fuel economy is a major factor in your decision, the V6 is the more efficient choice within the Charger lineup.

How do I find the EPA label for a specific used 2017 Charger I'm looking at?

The label is on the driver's side window of the car itself. If you're shopping online, you can enter the vehicle's year, make, model, and engine size into the EPA's fueleconomy.gov website to see the official ratings. This is more reliable than dealer estimates or seller claims.