The 2021 Dodge Charger 6.4L 8-cyl gets 18 MPG combined. Buyers who choose the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 are typically after a modern muscle car experience, complete with a thunderous exhaust, rapid acceleration, and strong street presence. The Charger 6.4 delivers on those expectations, making the cost of fuel part of the ownership experience.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates for the 2021 Dodge Charger 6.4L highlight the engine’s size and power. Expect 15 MPG in the city, where frequent stops emphasize the engine’s thirst. On the highway, the car achieves 24 MPG. However, this number can drop quickly if you accelerate hard. The eight-speed automatic transmission helps to optimize fuel economy during highway driving, but its effectiveness is limited by the engine’s power.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the Charger 6.4 at $3,200 per year. This is calculated assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually, using EPA fuel economy estimates and national average fuel prices. Your actual fuel costs will depend on your driving habits, local fuel prices, and how often you accelerate aggressively, but $3,200 is a reasonable estimate.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA estimates provide a benchmark, real-world fuel economy for the Charger 6.4 can vary. Aggressive driving, extended idling, and heavy city traffic will likely reduce your average MPG below the EPA’s 15 MPG city estimate.

On the other hand, highway driving with a gentle style may allow you to meet or even exceed the EPA’s 24 MPG highway rating. Expect something in the mid-teens in mixed driving, knowing that your results will depend on your habits.

How it compares

The Charger 6.4’s fuel economy is typical for performance vehicles. A Ford Mustang GT with a 5.0-liter V8 gets around 19 MPG combined. A Chevy Camaro SS, also with a V8, has a similar rating. A BMW M340i, a high-performance sedan with a turbocharged inline-six engine, achieves around 26 MPG combined, showing the efficiency of forced induction and smaller engines. Those considering all Dodge fuel economy data should consider the trade-offs between horsepower and economy. For those interested in comparing the CHARGER MPG across all years, FuelEconomyHub provides detailed data.

Tips to maximize efficiency

While the 6.4L Hemi isn’t designed for economy, you can improve fuel efficiency if you avoid hard acceleration and brake smoothly. The less aggressively you drive, the better your fuel economy will be.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, which makes the engine work harder and burn more fuel. Check your tire pressure regularly and follow the recommended pressure on the sticker inside the driver’s side door.

Minimize idling. Letting the engine idle consumes fuel without covering distance. If you’re stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine, especially in city driving.

Use cruise control on the highway. Maintaining a steady speed with cruise control helps you avoid unnecessary acceleration and deceleration, improving fuel economy. Take advantage of this feature on long highway drives.

Consider using a lighter touch on the accelerator pedal. The 6.4L engine is responsive and powerful. Accelerating gently off the line improves fuel economy.