18 MPG combined is what you can expect from the 2023 Dodge Challenger Widebody with the 6.4L Hemi V8. To be clear, people don’t buy this Challenger for its fuel efficiency. This is a car purchased for its loud exhaust, its distinctive look, and its bold American muscle. Fuel economy is secondary, something accepted in exchange for performance that lets you shred tires.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates for the Challenger Widebody 6.4L are 15 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. The city figure shows how much gas the engine uses when dealing with stop-and-go traffic, a situation that constantly requires quick power from the large V8. The highway number, while still relatively low compared to modern vehicles, indicates the engine is more relaxed and efficient when cruising at a steady speed. However, even on the highway, driving aggressively will quickly lower that 24 MPG number.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $3,200 for this Challenger. 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, using national average fuel prices at the time of the calculation. Remember that premium fuel is recommended for best performance, and that greatly affects how much you spend each year. Someone who drives aggressively will spend much more than this.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA provides a standard estimate, what you actually get in the real world with the Challenger Widebody 6.4L greatly depends on how you drive. Those who often use the car’s significant power will likely see averages below the EPA’s 18 MPG combined rating. On the other hand, drivers who are careful and focus on saving fuel during normal commutes might get numbers closer to, or even a little better than, the EPA numbers, especially on longer highway trips. The Challenger’s character makes it hard to resist accelerating quickly, so be prepared to be at the lower end of expectations. You can browse CHALLENGER MPG across all years here.

How it compares

Compared to other muscle cars, the Challenger Widebody 6.4L is about average. The Ford Mustang GT with its 5.0L V8 gets around 18 MPG combined (15 city/24 highway) with the automatic transmission, similar to the Challenger. The Chevrolet Camaro SS, also with a 6.2L V8, does a little better at about 19 MPG combined (16 city/24 highway). A base four-cylinder turbo Mustang offers a clear improvement, reaching 25 MPG combined, but you lose two cylinders and a lot of horsepower. Drivers considering these cars should think about the entire experience of owning one: do they want raw power and retro looks (Challenger), modern handling (Mustang), or performance designed for the track (Camaro)? The fuel economy difference is usually not the main thing people consider.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The Challenger Widebody 6.4L isn’t very fuel-efficient, but there are things you can do to reduce gas consumption. Accelerating smoothly and avoiding hard braking can greatly improve your MPGs, especially in city driving, where quick acceleration uses a lot of fuel.

Make sure your tires have enough air. Tires with low air increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and reducing fuel economy. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate them to the recommended level to help your tires roll easier.

Avoid letting the engine run without moving. Letting the engine idle for a long time uses fuel without going anywhere. If you’re stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. The 6.4L doesn’t shut off cylinders when idling, but minimizing idling will still help.

Think about using cruise control on the highway. Keeping a steady speed can help you avoid accelerating and decelerating for no reason, increasing fuel efficiency on long drives. Setting cruise in the Challenger also makes sure you don’t speed excessively which reduces efficiency. The EPA data for all Dodge fuel economy data is public.