The 2017 Dodge Charger Scat Pack gets 16 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway
The 2017 Dodge Charger Scat Pack is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 485 horsepower. With that much power comes fuel consumption that reflects the engine's size and performance focus. The EPA rates this model at 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined miles per gallon when equipped with the standard automatic transmission.
These numbers place the Scat Pack in the lower range for fuel economy, even among performance vehicles. The trade-off is intentional: the engine is built for acceleration and sustained power rather than efficiency. If you own or are considering this vehicle, understanding its fuel costs and emissions profile helps you plan your budget and maintenance.
Key Takeaways
- The 2017 Scat Pack achieves 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined mpg according to EPA testing.
- The vehicle runs on regular unleaded gasoline, not premium, despite its high horsepower rating.
- Annual fuel cost estimates depend on your local gas prices and driving patterns, but city driving will consume significantly more fuel than highway miles.
- The Scat Pack meets current EPA emissions standards for its model year, though it produces higher emissions than smaller, less powerful vehicles.
Engine specifications and what they mean for fuel use
The 5.7-liter V8 in the Scat Pack is a large-displacement engine, which means it burns more fuel per mile than smaller engines. Larger engines move more air and fuel through their cylinders with each combustion cycle, and that fundamental design requires more gasoline to operate. The Scat Pack's engine is also tuned for performance—higher compression ratios and aggressive valve timing—which prioritizes power output over fuel economy.
The automatic transmission helps manage fuel consumption on the highway by allowing the engine to operate at lower RPMs during steady-speed driving. However, the city rating of 16 mpg reflects the reality that stop-and-start driving, acceleration from stops, and idling all demand more fuel from a large V8 engine than from smaller alternatives.
Fuel type and octane requirements
Despite its 485-horsepower output, the 2017 Scat Pack does not require premium gasoline. It runs on regular unleaded fuel with an octane rating of 87. This is unusual for a high-performance vehicle and represents a design choice by Dodge to keep operating costs lower for owners.
Using regular fuel instead of premium saves money at the pump, though the difference compounds over time. If you were to use premium fuel anyway, you would not gain any performance benefit—the engine is calibrated to run optimally on regular octane. Some owners do use premium fuel for other reasons, such as cleaner combustion or engine deposits, but it is not necessary for this vehicle.
How the EPA measures and rates fuel economy
The EPA tests vehicles on a standardized cycle that simulates city and highway driving. The city test includes acceleration, braking, and idling at various speeds up to 35 mph. The highway test runs at steady speeds between 35 and 60 mph with less frequent acceleration. The combined rating is a weighted average that reflects real-world driving patterns for most drivers.
These tests are conducted in a laboratory on a dynamometer, not on actual roads, so real-world fuel economy can vary based on your driving habits, road conditions, weather, and vehicle maintenance. Aggressive acceleration, frequent idling, and driving in stop-and-go traffic will lower your actual mpg below the EPA estimate. Highway driving at steady speeds may approach or slightly exceed the highway rating.
Emissions standards and what the Scat Pack produces
The 2017 Dodge Charger Scat Pack meets the EPA's Tier 2 emissions standards that were in effect for that model year. These standards limit the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that a vehicle can emit. The Scat Pack is classified as a Tier 2 Bin 8 vehicle, which is a mid-range classification for light-duty trucks and performance cars.
Larger, more powerful engines typically produce higher absolute emissions than smaller engines, even when both meet the same standards. The Scat Pack's V8 produces more total pollutants than a four-cylinder sedan, though both are legal for their respective categories. If emissions are a concern for you, this vehicle represents a higher environmental impact than smaller or hybrid alternatives.
Annual fuel cost estimates and real-world spending
Calculating your actual fuel costs requires knowing your local gas price and how much you drive. At the EPA's combined rating of 19 mpg, a vehicle driven 12,000 miles per year would consume approximately 632 gallons of fuel annually. Multiply that by your local regular unleaded price to estimate your yearly fuel expense.
Your actual spending will depend heavily on your driving mix. If you drive mostly city miles at the 16 mpg rate, your fuel consumption will be higher. If you drive mostly highway miles at the 25 mpg rate, your consumption will be lower. Maintenance costs for a V8 engine, including oil changes and spark plugs, also tend to be higher than for smaller engines, so factor that into your total cost of ownership.
Comparing the Scat Pack to other 2017 performance vehicles
The 2017 Charger Scat Pack's 19 combined mpg is typical for large V8-powered sedans of that era. The Dodge Challenger R/T, which uses the same engine, achieves similar fuel economy. The Chevrolet Camaro SS with a 6.2-liter V8 rates at 16 combined mpg. The Chrysler 300C with a 5.7-liter V8 rates at 18 combined mpg. Among performance vehicles, the Scat Pack is neither the most nor the least efficient.
If fuel economy is a priority, smaller turbocharged engines or vehicles with hybrid powertrains will deliver significantly better numbers. However, those vehicles sacrifice the power and acceleration that define the Scat Pack's appeal. The fuel economy trade-off is part of the design philosophy: you are choosing a vehicle built for performance, and that choice has consequences for your fuel budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I improve the fuel economy of a 2017 Scat Pack with modifications?
Some modifications may slightly improve efficiency—keeping tires properly inflated, using synthetic oil, and removing excess weight all help. However, the fundamental limitation is the engine size and design. Significant improvements would require engine modifications that could affect warranty coverage and reliability. Most owners accept the fuel economy as part of owning a performance vehicle.
What is the difference between the Scat Pack and the standard Charger R/T?
Both use the same 5.7-liter V8 engine and achieve the same fuel economy ratings. The Scat Pack includes performance upgrades like a performance suspension, upgraded brakes, and a different transmission calibration. These changes improve handling and acceleration but do not significantly change fuel consumption compared to the R/T.
Does the 2017 Scat Pack have any emissions control systems?
Yes. The vehicle includes a catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, and an evaporative emissions control system that captures fuel vapors. These systems reduce harmful pollutants but add some weight and complexity to the engine. They are standard on all 2017 vehicles sold in the United States.
What happens if I drive mostly city miles instead of highway?
Your actual fuel economy will be closer to the 16 city rating than the 19 combined estimate. City driving involves more acceleration, braking, and idling, all of which consume more fuel per mile. You should budget for fuel costs based on your actual driving pattern rather than the combined rating.
Is the 2017 Scat Pack considered a gas guzzler?
The EPA does not formally classify vehicles as "gas guzzlers" anymore, but the term historically referred to vehicles rated below 22.5 mpg combined. The Scat Pack at 19 combined mpg would have may have access to under that old standard. However, there are no current penalties or restrictions on purchasing or owning this vehicle based on its fuel economy.