The Dodge Charger GT produces 370 horsepower from its 5.7-liter V8 engine
The Dodge Charger GT generates 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. This output comes from a naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V8 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The horsepower figure is measured at 5,250 revolutions per minute (RPM), which is the engine speed at which peak power occurs.
That 370-horsepower rating applies to 2023 and 2024 model years. Dodge discontinued the Charger nameplate after 2024, so no new Charger GT models are in production. If you are looking at used models from earlier years, horsepower may differ — the 2015–2022 Charger GT also produced 370 horsepower, but earlier generations (2011–2014) produced 370 horsepower as well, making the V8 Charger GT consistent across its final decade.
Key Takeaways
- The Charger GT's 370 horsepower comes from a 5.7-liter V8 engine, not a turbocharged or supercharged smaller engine.
- Torque of 395 pound-feet is what moves the car from a stop and determines how quickly it can accelerate in lower gears.
- Horsepower is measured at 5,250 RPM, meaning the engine reaches its peak power output at that specific engine speed.
- The Charger GT sits in the middle of Dodge's V8 lineup — less powerful than the R/T (375 hp) and far less than the SRT 392 (485 hp) or Hellcat (645 hp).
How horsepower differs across Charger V8 models
Dodge offered several V8 engines in the Charger lineup, and horsepower varied by engine size and tuning. The Charger GT's 370 horsepower placed it below the R/T model, which also used a 5.7-liter V8 but produced 375 horsepower — a small difference that came from different intake and exhaust tuning.
Above the GT and R/T sat the SRT 392, which used a 6.4-liter V8 to produce 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The Hellcat and Redeye variants pushed much further, with supercharged 6.2-liter engines producing 645 and 797 horsepower respectively. A base Charger with a 3.6-liter V6 produced around 292 horsepower, making the GT's V8 a significant step up.
What 370 horsepower means for acceleration and speed
Horsepower alone does not determine how fast a car feels or how quickly it accelerates. Weight, transmission type, and how power is delivered all matter. The Charger GT weighs approximately 3,800 pounds, and its 8-speed automatic transmission is tuned for highway cruising rather than drag racing.
With 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, the Charger GT can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in roughly 6.5 to 7 seconds, depending on driving conditions and transmission behavior. Top speed is electronically limited to 180 miles per hour. The SRT 392, with 115 more horsepower, cuts that 0–60 time to around 4.5 seconds — a dramatic difference that shows how horsepower scales with real-world performance.
Engine displacement versus horsepower
The Charger GT's 5.7-liter displacement produces 370 horsepower, which works out to roughly 65 horsepower per liter. This ratio is typical for naturally aspirated V8 engines without forced induction (turbochargers or superchargers). By contrast, the Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-liter engine produces 645 horsepower, or about 104 horsepower per liter — the supercharger forces more air into the cylinders, allowing more fuel to burn and generating more power from a smaller engine.
Larger displacement engines like the 5.7-liter typically produce lower horsepower-per-liter figures but deliver torque across a wider RPM range, making them feel responsive at lower speeds. The Charger GT reaches peak torque at 4,000 RPM, meaning you feel strong acceleration well before the engine hits its horsepower peak at 5,250 RPM.
How Dodge measured and rated this horsepower
Dodge's horsepower figures come from SAE net testing, the standard used across the automotive industry in North America. SAE net horsepower is measured on a dynamometer with the engine running all its accessories — alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor — just as it would in the car. This gives a realistic picture of power available to move the vehicle.
The 370-horsepower rating assumes the engine is running on regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane). Using premium fuel (91 or 93 octane) does not increase horsepower in the Charger GT, unlike some turbocharged engines that produce more power on premium fuel. The engine's compression ratio and tuning are optimized for regular fuel, so premium offers no benefit.
Charger GT horsepower compared to competitors
| Vehicle | Engine | Horsepower | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger GT | 5.7L V8 | 370 hp | 395 lb-ft |
| Chevrolet Camaro SS | 6.2L V8 | 455 hp | 455 lb-ft |
| Ford Mustang GT | 5.0L V8 | 480 hp | 415 lb-ft |
| Chrysler 300S | 5.7L V8 | 363 hp | 394 lb-ft |
The Charger GT's 370 horsepower places it below the Camaro SS and Mustang GT, both of which produce significantly more power from their V8 engines. The Mustang GT's 5.0-liter engine generates 480 horsepower, 110 more than the Charger GT, despite being only slightly larger in displacement. This difference reflects Ford's more aggressive tuning and higher compression ratio.
The Charger GT is closer in power to the Chrysler 300S, which shares the same 5.7-liter V8 platform but produces 363 horsepower — 7 horsepower less than the Charger. The 300S is heavier and tuned for luxury rather than performance, which accounts for the lower output.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 370 horsepower enough for a muscle car?
By modern standards, 370 horsepower is moderate for a muscle car. The Charger GT is positioned as an entry-level V8 performance car, not a high-performance variant. If you want significantly more power, Dodge's SRT 392 (485 hp) or Hellcat (645 hp) deliver it, but they cost considerably more and consume more fuel.
Does the Charger GT need premium fuel to reach 370 horsepower?
No. The Charger GT produces its full 370 horsepower on regular 87-octane gasoline. Premium fuel offers no horsepower gain and is not necessary. Using premium will not harm the engine, but it is a waste of money for this particular model.
How does the Charger GT's horsepower compare to its torque?
The Charger GT produces 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. Torque is the twisting force that accelerates the car from a stop, while horsepower measures sustained power at higher speeds. The nearly equal numbers (in their respective units) mean the engine is well-balanced for both low-end response and highway cruising.
Will a used Charger GT from 2015 have the same 370 horsepower as a 2024 model?
Yes. The Charger GT's 5.7-liter V8 produced 370 horsepower consistently from 2015 through 2024. Earlier Charger GT models (2011–2014) also produced 370 horsepower, so horsepower remained stable across the final generation of the nameplate.
Can you add horsepower to a Charger GT through modifications?
Yes, but gains are typically modest without major engine work. A cold-air intake and performance exhaust can add 10 to 20 horsepower. Tuning the engine computer (ECU tuning) may add 20 to 30 horsepower. Supercharging or turbocharging would add significant power but requires substantial investment and modifications to engine internals.