2022 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

Despite the Challenger having been around for more than a decade in its current form, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat lives on to spite the ever-tightening legislation around vehicle emissions. But while rivals like the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 sacrifice outright power for the ability to corner and lap tracks with grace and pace, the Hellcat eschews these traits in favor of traditional muscle car allure. In Redeye form, it's a 797 horsepower, straight-line-smashing, tire-smoking monster of a machine that has left drag strip crowds in awe to the soundtrack of a shrieking 6.2-liter supercharged V8. Sure, it might not have the handling prowess of the modern muscle car, and yes, it laughs in the face of global warming, but a spacious cabin, massive trunk, and old-school kind of muscle car charm are hard to ignore. We could say they don't make 'em like this anymore, but Dodge does, and we couldn't be more grateful.

While the Challenger's blocky proportions are a reminder of its age, they're also part of its appeal. It's not trying to compete with much more modern German coupes for glitzy appeal; rather, it looks planted, aggressive, and suitably intimidating in your rearview mirror, exactly as a muscle car should. All SRTs get a Black SRT grille, bi-functional halogen headlights with quad halo LED surrounds, LED daytime running lamps, a dual-snorkel hood, a Satin Black rear spoiler, and 20-inch alloy wheels. The Widebody Package adds those distinctive fender flares and a Widebody competition suspension - it makes the regular models look almost weedy by comparison.

All Challenger SRTs share the same 116-inch wheelbase and width (including the side mirrors) of 85.4 inches. However, from there they differ between the regular models and the Widebody versions. The standard model is 197.5 inches long, 57.2 inches in height, and 75.7 inches wide with the mirrors excluded. The SRT Hellcat Widebody is 57.5 inches in height and 79.2 inches wide excluding the side mirrors. Ground clearance is 4.5 inches. Curb weight ranges from 4,378 pounds (for the SRT Hellcat in manual guise and without a rear seat) to 4,560 lbs for the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody.

A total of 14 exterior colors are available for the SRT Hellcat. Instead of a sea of blacks and greys, the Dodge gets several brash shades that suit the car's persona to a tee. Along with Frostbite, Hellraisin, and Sinamon Stick, there are also audacious shades like TorRed, Go Mango, Indigo Blue, and Octane Red. For the more stealthy look, there is Pitch Black, Granite, Triple Nickel, Gold Rush, and Smoke Show. Rounding out the palette is F8 Green and White Knuckle. You can order any of the 14 colors on all the 2022 models. No color requires an extra charge, but the car's high level of customization means you can add racing stripes in colors like Gunmetal, Carbon, and Blue for an added cost of $995, a black satin painted hood ($1,995), or an entire black satin painted graphics package ($3,495).

Two powerful supercharged V8 engines provide the SRT Hellcat with blistering performance. In the SRT Hellcat, the 6.2-liter unit provides 717 hp and 656 lb-ft of torque, while the SRT Hellcat Redeye has an even wilder 797 hp and 707 lb-ft at its disposal. While lesser Challengers have available all-wheel drive, these V8 monsters send all of their power to the rear wheels exclusively. It means that traction can be an issue when trying to get the SRT Hellcat off the line effectively, but independent tests have shown that it's possible to get the Redeye to 60 mph in around 3.7 seconds, with the quarter-mile coming up in under 12 seconds. Dodge claims a top speed of 203 mph for the Redeye. Ford claims a 3.3-second 0-60 sprint for the Mustang Shelby GT500, while the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe is in similar territory. With both of these cars, the driver's talent could determine which one gets its nose in front from a standstill, although the quality of the surface you launch from is likely to play just as much of a role. Make no mistake, though - both SRT Hellcats are extremely quick.

A supercharged HEMI 6.2-liter V8 engine does duty in both SRT Hellcat-badged Challengers, but in different states of tune. In the regular SRT Hellcat, peak outputs are 717 hp and 656 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic. The SRT Hellcat Redeye has outputs of 797 hp / 707 lb-ft and is also only available with an eight-speed automatic.

In both cars, a spine-tingling supercharger whine accompanies aggressive use of the loud pedal and it's punctuated by savage acceleration. While traction can be an issue off the line, there's nothing stopping the SRT Hellcat once it's on the move - overtaking power is extreme. The manual model is obviously more involving, but choose the automatic for the quickest sprint times. It'll fade into the background at a cruise, but stabbing the throttle will see the auto 'box quickly shift into a lower gear and push you back into your seat as the V8 howls. It's senseless but absolutely addictive fun.

The Challenger's weight dictates much of what it does - and doesn't - do well on the road. On the plus side, for a sports car with this much power and scenery-blurring speed, the SRT Hellcat is surprisingly comfortable and supple. This car is a joy on the open road where there is enough space to easily accommodate its significant size. Together with the comfortable seats, it's a car you can live with every day. Only more confined spaces in town will frustrate as the coupe does begin to feel its size.

Through more acute bends, you quickly realize that the word "nimble" isn't part of the Challenger's vocabulary. It feels as big and as heavy as it is when you try to hustle it, while body roll isn't as well-contained as in rivals like the Mustang and Camaro. The Widebody is a bit better thanks to its broader tires and its greater composure at higher speeds, but it can't quite overcome the Challenger's heft. And yet, somehow, the SRT Hellcat's flaws add to its charm - the relative lack of grip, the prodigious power, and the rather unpredictable body movements combine to create a muscle car that has surprises up its sleeve at every turn. You won't like all of those surprises, but unlike some meticulously-honed sports cars that could be described as clinical, there is zero risk of dozing off behind the wheel of the Hellcat, despite the rather numb steering.

Stopping power is ample thanks to the Brembo braking system with six-piston front calipers and four-piston calipers at the back.

Driven with restraint on the highway, the SRT Hellcat returns an acceptable 22 mpg when equipped with the automatic transmission. However, it's more likely that most owners will be making use of the available power more often, so the EPA's figures of 13/22/16 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles are more realistic. The manual variant has a slightly inferior highway figure of 21 mpg. The least fuel-efficient version is the Widebody in automatic guise, which is estimated to return 13/21/15 mpg. With an 18.5-gallon gas tank, expect to get a combined cruising range of just under 300 miles from every model except the Widebody automatic, which should manage about 277 miles. A gas guzzler tax of $1,700 applies to all SRT Hellcats, as it should.

A highlight of the Challenger's interior is its genuine ability to seat adults in the rear, dramatically increasing its versatility as a daily driver and not just a weekend toy. That said, the cabin isn't as modern or stylish as some rivals' interiors. It feels tailored for the driver, though, with the excellent infotainment screen and other central switches gently angled towards the driver and a sporty steering wheel. It's also a pleasantly quiet cabin, besides the welcome sound of that V8, of course. All models have standard gear like dual-zone air-conditioning, heated front seats, and the 8.4-inch touchscreen that forms the basis of the Uconnect 4C infotainment system. A ParkSense rear park assist system and backup camera also help to overcome some of the Challenger's visibility issues.

The Challenger's ability to seat five passengers in decent comfort is one of the coupe's strong points. In fact, it's one of the best in the segment thanks to adequate headroom and legroom. The rear seat isn't some afterthought, either, with seating for three adults possible, as long as they aren't all of a larger frame. Seating comfort is also better than most in this class, with the SRT Hellcat getting attractive Houndstooth performance cloth. The driving position has an acceptable range of adjustment. Although we appreciate that the big doors open widely, improving ingress and egress, their length and weight can also be a hassle in tight spaces. Outward visibility isn't great as there are large blind spots, so we recommend the optional blind-spot monitoring (part of the Driver Convenience Group) as a worthwhile add-on. If you are more concerned with a lighter weight than carting all your friends around, Dodge will optionally remove the rear seat entirely.

On the base SRT Hellcat, Houndstooth-upholstered seats in black are standard fare, along with Hellcat logos. Laguna leather seats are optionally available as part of the Laguna Leather Package, but adding this option automatically includes the Plus Package (adding a premium-stitched dashboard and door panels) and the Driver Convenience group for a hefty total of $5,185. Color choices for this upgrade are Black, Sepia, and Demonic Red. Other choices are black Nappa leather/Alcantara seats, black Alcantara/Laguna leather seats, and Demonic Red seat belts. The Carbon and Suede Interior Package adds carbon-fiber accents along with a suede headliner.

The Challenger's 16.2 cubic feet of trunk space is commendable in a high-performance coupe and is on par with some traditional midsize sedans. The majority of competitors don't come close, with the Camaro's 9.1 cubes being an example. So, there'll be no problems with accommodating the weekly shop or around six carry-on cases. In the cabin, small items can be stowed in the large center console compartment but the door pockets are on the small side. Two cupholders are situated behind the gear shift lever, which can be a bit inconvenient in models equipped with the manual transmission. In models equipped with the rear seat, these can be folded down to increase storage, while the rear seat deletion option replaces the rear compartment with a large cargo net.

The SRT Hellcat is well-equipped with features like dual-zone air-conditioning (including ventilation outlets at the back), illuminated front cupholders, a seven-inch reconfigurable digital display between the speedometer and rev counter, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an eight-way adjustable (six-way power-adjustable) driver's seat, heated front seats, a universal garage-door opener, a heated steering wheel, and a manually tilting/telescoping steering column. On the safety front, Dodge has equipped the SRT Hellcat with hill-start assist, a rearview camera, the ParkSense rear parking assist system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. On the options list are features like a power sunroof, and rain-sensing windshield wipers, along with driver aids like blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, forward-collision warning, and rear cross-path detection.

Despite the Challenger's age, the infotainment system goes a long way to making the coupe feel fresher than its years. The 8.4-inch touchscreen forms part of the Uconnect 4C infotainment system which is one of the most user-friendly setups available - a major bonus in a performance car that requires pretty high concentration levels from the driver. The system boasts standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, CD/DVD/MP3 compatibility, SiriusXM radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, an audio input jack, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and two USB ports. Navigation is optionally available. Audio is channeled via a sound system that has six Alpine speakers, but an 18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is available.

The 2022 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat holds a strong overall J.D. Power rating of 85 out of a maximum 100 and 88/100 for quality and reliability - the same as last year. These numbers are backed up by the fact that zero recalls have so far been issued for this year's model. However, the 2021 model was recalled twice - once for an instrument-cluster malfunction and once for inadequate windshield bonding.

If anything does go awry, Dodge covers the Challenger with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and corrosion perforation coverage for five years with unlimited miles. Roadside assistance is provided for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The NHTSA has provided an overall safety rating of the maximum five stars out of five for the 2022 Dodge Challenger. It achieved four stars for the frontal crash and for the rollover test and five for the side crash. However, the IIHS' findings do point towards the Challenger's older design - while it achieved a Good rating for the moderate overlap front and side crash tests, it was rated only Marginal for the small overlap front: driver-side test, along with Acceptable ratings for roof strength and the head restraints/seats.

Every SRT Hellcat is equipped with six airbags (dual front, side-curtain, and front seat-mounted side airbags), brake assist, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, a rearview camera, the ParkSense rear park assist system, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and tire-pressure monitoring.

It's not quite as impressive for standard modern driver-assist technologies, though. Forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection are optional, but the likes of lane-departure warning isn't available at all. Adaptive cruise control is available, but not on Redeye variants.

For better or worse, the Challenger SRT Hellcat adheres faithfully to the muscle car brief. In a straight line, it's an absolute riot, with smoky burnouts available on demand and, when those tires actually connect with the asphalt, epic acceleration - especially in the new SS drag-strip special, which is now the fastest-accelerating muscle car. Its bulging body and boisterous supercharged engine ensure that you'll get noticed wherever you go. Added to these talents are the Challenger's large cabin, the accommodating trunk, a brilliant infotainment system, and a surprisingly compliant ride. It really only starts to lose out to the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro when the road gets twisty; here, the Challenger starts feeling out of its element, hampered by its sheer bulk. The Challenger also doesn't have the best safety scores, a sign of the coupe's age. But it's a car that never stops entertaining - this "Hellcat" easily lives up to its name.

The base Challenger SRT Hellcat starts at an MSRP of $61,380, but that's before adding tax, licensing, and registration costs, along with a gas guzzler tax of $1,700 and a destination charge of $1,595. Next is the SRT Hellcat Widebody at $67,380, the more powerful SRT Hellcat Redeye at $72,980, and finally, the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody at $78,980.

There are four trims in the 2022 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat lineup: SRT Hellcat, SRT Hellcat Widebody, SRT Hellcat Redeye, and SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. All of them are equipped with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission; however, non-Redeye models are also available with a six-speed manual transmission. The normal Hellcats produce 717 hp and 656 lb-ft of torque and the Redeyes are tuned to 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque.

The SRT Hellcat runs on 20-inch alloy wheels and has halogen headlights, a dual-scoop hood, a satin-black rear spoiler, and Competition suspension. Inside, it has cloth upholstery, dual-zone air-conditioning, a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. The infotainment screen measures 8.4 inches and comes with Bluetooth streaming, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SRT Performance Pages, and a six-speaker sound system. Safety features are inclusive of six airbags, a backup camera, rear parking sensors, stability control, tire-pressure monitoring, and hill-start assist.

The SRT Hellcat Widebody is similarly equipped, but has a body that is wider by 3.7 inches courtesy of fender flares that house gloss-black 20-inch alloy wheels that are 11 inches wide and shod with P305/35YR20 performance tires. It also gets adaptive damping and a Track driving mode.

The SRT Hellcat Redeye has the more powerful 797-hp engine and is only available with the eight-speed automatic transmission. It has a 2.62 rear-axle ratio and a 220-mph speedometer and adaptive cruise control cannot be specified on this model.

Lastly, the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody shared the mechanical specifications of the normal Redeye, but with the dimensions, alloy wheels, and tires of the Widebody.

On the SRT Hellcat, the Technology Group costs $495 and adds automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Driver Convenience Group goes for $1,295 and equips blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic detection, power-folding mirrors, and high-intensity discharge headlamps. Three seating packages cost between $1,795 and $2,095 each and replace the standard seats with either Laguna leather, Alcantara/Laguna leather, or Nappa/Alcantara in the case of the Plus Package (also adds a power-adjustable steering column and stitched dash). The Carbon and Suede Interior Package costs $1,595 and adds carbon-fiber trim and a suede headliner.

Standalone options include the Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system with navigation ($995), the 18-speaker Harman Kardon audio system ($1,995), a power sunroof ($1,995), and exterior color stripes ($995). For just $1, the rear seat can be deleted and replaced with a cargo net.

The new Jailbreak package is to be discussed on an individual basis, as the sky's the limit as to the unique combinations of special parts, paint colors, and specific features can be ordered in combination to create a truly unique Challenger. Beware that outlandish combinations will not be denied, but it could affect the resale value of your vehicle.

Because the Challenger SRT struggles to manage its incredible power output off the mark, the SRT Hellcat (with 717 hp) is more than enough power and provides nearly the same thrills as the Redeye. In Widebody guise, the SRT Hellcat is over $10,000 cheaper than the Redeye Widebody but adds the flared bodywork that dramatically enhances the Hellcat's personality, while also adding wider wheels for a bit more grip. We'd spec ours in Octane Red paint and add dual silver stripes, the Driver Convenience Group, and the Plus Package.

With 760 horsepower from its 5.2-liter supercharged V8, the GT500's peak output sits right between the SRT Hellcat and SRT Hellcat Redeye. Ford claims that the GT500 will do 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds, just marginally quicker than the SRT Redeye - both cars are exceptionally fast, though, as long as you can get them off the line smoothly. The latest GT500 isn't just quick, it's also adept through the corners and more poised than the larger and rather clumsy Challenger. Ford's latest dual-clutch transmission is also super slick and this, together with the GT500's better handling, makes it the better driver's car. The Challenger wins back points in the cabin because its seats are more comfortable, it has far more space for rear passengers, and the trunk is larger. The GT500 is slightly cheaper than the Hellcat Widebody Redeye, while the regular Redeye is a super close match on price. Both cars do their legendary badges proud - by a whisker, we'd side with the Ford for its better handling characteristics.

Similarly to the Ford Mustang Shelby, the Camaro isn't as practical as the Challenger: the Chevy has a much tinier trunk (9.1 cubic feet to the Challenger's 16.2), less space in the back, and is an absolute nightmare to see out of clearly. The Camaro ZL1 is a special machine from a performance perspective, though, and despite making "only" 650 horsepower, it's pretty much a match for the more powerful Hellcat. An available track package ensures that the ZL1 is the better track tool by far, yet it maintains a comfortable ride. The Challenger is still the better cruiser and has a more comfortable rear seat, though. If carrying passengers around is important to you, the SRT Hellcat is the more versatile car, but if you think precise handling should be part and parcel of a modern muscle car, then go for the Camaro ZL1 Coupe, instead.