Owners of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT with the 6.4L Hemi can expect 18 MPG combined. To be clear, this car isn’t bought for its fuel efficiency. It’s bought for the rumble of its naturally aspirated V8, the attention it gets, and the pure fun of pressing the accelerator. The fuel economy, or lack thereof, is part of the cost.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates 15 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway for the 2018 Challenger SRT 6.4L with the 8-speed automatic transmission. These numbers tell a story. The city MPG reflects stop-and-go driving where the large engine is constantly starting and stopping, using a lot of fuel with each acceleration. However, the highway figure shows the Hemi’s potential when cruising, showing that it’s not always a gas hog, especially when driven gently on longer trips. But realistically, few Challenger SRT owners drive particularly gently.

Annual fuel cost

According to the EPA, the estimated annual fuel cost for the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT 6.4L is $3,200. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with 55% in the city and 45% on the highway, using the national average fuel price. This provides a standardized way to compare fuel costs of different vehicles, though your fuel expenses will vary based on your driving and local fuel prices. Remember, that number assumes you’re not constantly doing burnouts.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides a standardized estimate, but real-world fuel economy can change a lot. If you drive aggressively, you’ll likely see numbers well below 15 MPG in the city. If you drive gently on the highway, you might approach, or even slightly exceed, 25 MPG. Most Challenger SRT owners can expect to average between 15 and 20 MPG in mixed driving. The bigger your smile, the lower your MPG will probably be.

How it compares

If fuel economy is a major concern, there are better choices. A 2018 Ford Mustang GT with the 5.0L V8 and 10-speed automatic gets 19 MPG combined. The Chevrolet Camaro SS with the 6.2L V8 gets a similar 19 MPG combined. Outside the muscle car segment, a luxury sedan like the BMW 540i can offer similar performance with better fuel economy, getting 24 MPG combined with its turbocharged inline-six. But that misses the point. These cars offer different experiences. Challenger buyers want old-school muscle, and they’re willing to pay for it in gas. Be sure to check all Dodge fuel economy data to compare across the model range.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Maximizing fuel economy might not be important to Challenger SRT owners, but there are steps you can take to conserve fuel. Avoid idling too long. That V8 burns a lot of fuel when stopped.

Use the adaptive cruise control on the highway, when you can. Maintaining a consistent speed can improve fuel economy, and the Challenger’s adaptive cruise system does a decent job of that.

Check your tire pressure. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, reducing fuel economy. Find the recommended tire pressure on the sticker on your driver’s side doorjamb.

Avoid accelerating too quickly and braking hard. Accelerating gradually and braking smoothly can improve fuel economy, though it takes restraint in a Challenger SRT.

Consider the different driving modes. While “Track” mode might be tempting, “Auto” or “Eco” mode for everyday driving can help optimize fuel efficiency. You can see CHALLENGER MPG across all years to see if there are any fuel economy differences across model years.