Dodge Charger horsepower ranges from 370 to 807, depending on the model year and engine you choose

The Dodge Charger's power output has changed significantly over its production history. Modern Chargers (2015 and newer) come with either a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 370 horsepower, or a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 807 horsepower in the Hellcat trim. Older Chargers from the 1960s and 1970s had engines ranging from 250 to 425 horsepower depending on the year and which V8 option you selected at purchase.

If you're looking at a used Charger or considering which new model to examine, the engine size and model year are the two things that determine horsepower. A 2020 Charger R/T has different power than a 2020 Charger SXT, and both differ from a 1970 Charger 500. Knowing which generation and trim level you're researching will give you the exact figure.

Key Takeaways

  • Current Dodge Chargers produce either 370 horsepower (standard V8) or 807 horsepower (supercharged Hellcat V8).
  • The 1960s and 1970s Chargers ranged from 250 to 425 horsepower depending on which engine option was ordered.
  • Horsepower increased significantly in the 2000s and 2010s as engine technology improved.
  • The specific horsepower depends on both the model year and the trim level or engine package selected.

Modern Charger horsepower (2015 to present)

The current generation Dodge Charger offers two main engine choices. The base engine is a 5.7-liter V8 that produces 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. This engine appears in the SXT and R/T trim levels. The second option is the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 found in the Hellcat and Hellcat Redeye trims, which produces 807 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque.

Between 2015 and 2023, these two engine options remained the primary offerings. The horsepower figures stayed consistent across these years, though Dodge made minor adjustments to transmission and suspension tuning. If you're comparing a 2015 Charger R/T to a 2023 Charger R/T, both have 370 horsepower from the same 5.7-liter engine.

Charger horsepower from 2011 to 2014

The previous generation Charger (2011–2014) used a 5.7-liter V8 that produced 370 horsepower, matching the current generation's base engine. A supercharged 6.2-liter V8 was introduced in 2015 with the Hellcat, so the 2011–2014 models did not have that option. The 2011–2014 Chargers topped out at 370 horsepower unless you found a specialty or limited-edition model.

This generation bridged the gap between the 2006–2010 models and the modern Hellcat era. Buyers during these years had fewer engine choices than they do today, but the 370-horsepower V8 remained a solid performer. The consistency of this engine across multiple generations shows how Dodge refined and kept a proven design in production.

Charger horsepower from 2006 to 2010

When Dodge revived the Charger nameplate in 2006, the base engine was a 3.5-liter V6 producing 250 horsepower. The optional 5.7-liter V8 produced 370 horsepower. In 2008, Dodge introduced the Charger SRT8 with a 6.1-liter V8 producing 425 horsepower, which was the most powerful version of that generation.

These horsepower figures remained stable through 2010. A 2006 Charger R/T and a 2010 Charger R/T both had 370 horsepower from their 5.7-liter V8 engines. The SRT8 held steady at 425 horsepower across its production run. This generation marked the return of the Charger name after a long absence, and the engine lineup reflected Dodge's strategy of offering both fuel-efficient and high-performance options.

Original Charger horsepower (1966 to 1978)

The first-generation Dodge Charger, produced from 1966 to 1978, had a much wider range of engine options. Base models came with a 3.2-liter V8 producing 250 horsepower. Mid-range options included a 4.5-liter V8 with 375 horsepower and a 5.6-liter V8 with 390 horsepower. The most powerful original Chargers used a 7.2-liter V8 producing 425 horsepower.

Buyers could order different engines depending on the year and model. A 1970 Charger 500 with the 7.2-liter engine was significantly more powerful than a 1966 Charger with the base 3.2-liter engine. The horsepower figures also reflected the measurement standards of that era, which differed from how modern engines are rated. This variety in engine options was typical of American muscle cars during the 1960s and 1970s, when manufacturers offered buyers many ways to customize their vehicles' performance.

How horsepower is measured and why it matters

Horsepower measures the engine's ability to do work over time. One horsepower equals the power needed to lift 550 pounds one foot in one second. When manufacturers list a Charger's horsepower, they are measuring the engine's output at a specific engine speed, usually measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).

The way horsepower is measured has changed over decades. Older engines were rated using gross horsepower, which measured output without the engine's accessories running. Modern engines are rated using net horsepower, which measures output with all accessories running. This means a 1970 Charger's 425 horsepower rating is not directly comparable to a 2020 Charger's 370 horsepower rating — the modern engine is actually more efficient, but the numbers reflect different measurement methods.

Horsepower is one part of performance. Torque (rotational force) and how the engine delivers that power across different RPM ranges also affect how a car feels to drive. A Charger with more horsepower will generally accelerate faster, but transmission type, weight, and aerodynamics also play significant roles in real-world performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Dodge Charger Hellcat really have 807 horsepower?

Yes. The 6.2-liter supercharged V8 in the Hellcat and Hellcat Redeye produces 807 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque. This is the most powerful version currently available. The supercharger forces more air into the engine, which allows it to burn more fuel and produce significantly more power than the base 5.7-liter V8.

What's the difference between a Charger R/T and a Charger SRT8?

The R/T uses a 5.7-liter V8 with 370 horsepower. The SRT8 (available in older generations) used a larger 6.1-liter V8 with 425 horsepower. The Hellcat, which replaced the SRT8 concept, uses a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 807 horsepower. Each step up represents a larger or more powerful engine.

Did all 1970 Chargers have the same horsepower?

No. Buyers could order different engines. A 1970 Charger with the base engine had 250 horsepower, while one with the optional 7.2-liter V8 had 425 horsepower. The specific horsepower depended on which engine package the original owner selected when the car was built.

Is a newer Charger more powerful than an older one?

Not always. A 2023 Charger R/T has 370 horsepower, the same as a 2006 Charger R/T. However, a 2023 Charger Hellcat with 807 horsepower is far more powerful than any Charger made before 2015. Modern engines are also more efficient and deliver power more smoothly across different speeds, even when horsepower numbers are similar.