18 MPG combined is what you get with the 2021 Dodge Charger Widebody 6.4L. This number probably won’t scare off the Charger’s target customer: enthusiasts who want a strong, aggressively styled sedan with real street presence. Nobody buys a Widebody Charger expecting Prius-like efficiency. They buy it because they want a sledgehammer, not something precise, and they’re willing to pay the price at the pump for that feeling.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the Charger Widebody at 15 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. The city figure shows how stop-and-go traffic affects fuel economy, where the car’s weight and powerful engine work against it. The highway number, while better, still isn’t as good as smaller, turbocharged cars. Getting that 24 MPG means driving gently and at a steady speed; hard acceleration will drop that number quickly. The Widebody does best on open roads where its power can be let loose, though that rarely helps fuel economy.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2021 Dodge Charger Widebody 6.4L at $3,200. This number is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with 55% of those miles driven in the city and 45% on the highway. The calculation uses the national average fuel prices for the Charger’s recommended fuel type. This makes it a useful benchmark for comparing the running costs of different vehicles, even if your driving habits and local fuel prices are different.

Real-world expectations

The EPA gives a standard estimate but real-world fuel economy for the Widebody Charger can change a lot depending on how you drive. Drivers who often use the car’s performance, enjoying its fast acceleration and loud exhaust, will likely see numbers below the EPA estimates. But drivers who want to save fuel and spend most of their time on the highway might get numbers closer to, or even a little above, the EPA highway rating. The temptation to let loose the 485 horsepower is always there, which means getting good fuel economy all the time takes a lot of self-control.

How it compares

The Charger Widebody’s fuel economy is predictably thirsty compared to other performance sedans. A BMW M5, while offering much higher performance, gets around 17 MPG city and 25 MPG highway. A Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, another V8-powered car, is in a similar range. Even a Honda Civic Si, which is much less powerful, gets around 26 MPG city and 36 MPG highway. These comparisons show the tradeoff in choosing a high-performance V8. Charger buyers usually care less about fuel efficiency than those considering smaller cars. They want the V8 experience and the Charger’s mix of muscle car heritage and modern technology. See all Dodge fuel economy data for more information. You can also see CHARGER MPG across all years.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Accelerate gently. The 6.4L V8 reacts fast, but every push of the gas pedal burns fuel. Accelerate slowly and avoid speeding to save fuel, especially in city driving.

Use cruise control on the highway. Keeping a steady speed uses less fuel. Cruise control lets the Charger’s transmission get into its highest gear, which saves fuel. Cruise control works best when traffic is moving smoothly. Using it in stop-and-go traffic may cause worse fuel use.

Keep your tires inflated properly. Correct tire pressure reduces rolling resistance, which improves fuel economy. Check your tire pressure often and inflate them to the recommended pressure. Underinflated tires can also hurt handling and tire wear.

Let the engine idle as little as possible. Letting the engine idle for a long time burns fuel without going anywhere. Turn off the engine if you’re going to be stopped for more than a minute or two. Modern engines don’t need long warm-up times.