The 2018 Dodge Charger equipped with the 5.7L Hemi V8 gets 19 MPG combined. Calling this “bad” misses the point of the Charger and why people like it. It’s not a Prius competitor; it’s a large, rear-wheel-drive sedan with a throaty V8 made for a powerful driving feel. Buyers of this car likely care more about performance and the classic American muscle car look than saving gas and are willing to accept the trade-off.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2018 Charger 5.7L at 16 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. These numbers show what the car is like. Stop-and-go city driving means lower fuel economy as the engine works harder to move the heavy sedan. The 25 MPG highway estimate, though, shows how the eight-speed automatic transmission can optimize fuel efficiency at cruising speeds. Drivers who spend a lot of time on the open road and can avoid using the Hemi’s power often, will probably get closer to that 25 MPG number.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA says the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Dodge Charger 5.7L is about $2,750. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and assumes current national average fuel prices. The actual amount you spend will change based on your driving habits, the roads you drive on, and local fuel costs. Driving hard, taking frequent short trips, and always using premium fuel (though not required) will all make that number higher. If you usually drive more than 15,000 miles a year, expect to spend more than $2,750. The opposite is true if you drive fewer miles.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are a good starting point, but real-world fuel economy is often different. Charger 5.7L owners often report numbers a bit below the EPA’s combined estimate, usually in the 16-18 MPG range. This difference is because people enjoy driving it, and the Hemi’s power is hard to resist. But, driving carefully can get results closer to the EPA’s numbers. Tire pressure, vehicle maintenance, and even weather can also affect how much gas you use. Check owner forums and fuel tracking apps to see what other drivers are experiencing in similar conditions.

How it compares

Compared to other large sedans with similar performance, the 2018 Charger 5.7L’s fuel economy is normal. A 2018 Chrysler 300S with the same 5.7L engine gets the same EPA numbers, showing that the engine itself is the main thing that decides fuel use. A Ford Taurus SHO, with its twin-turbocharged V6, only gets a bit better at 19 MPG combined. Buyers looking at a Charger are probably also considering those vehicles, and the fuel economy differences are small, especially when you consider the Charger’s unique style and RWD.

To view all Dodge fuel economy data, visit this link. And for a look at CHARGER MPG across all years, go here.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Saving gas might not be the main goal for a Charger 5.7L owner, you can still use less gas without losing too much of the fun. Avoid hard acceleration and braking. The Hemi has lots of power, so you don’t need to floor it all the time. Accelerating and braking gently will greatly improve fuel economy.

Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires make it harder to roll, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Check your tire pressure often with a good gauge and inflate them to the pressure on the door jamb sticker.

Use cruise control on the highway. Keeping a steady speed reduces needless acceleration and deceleration, which gets better fuel economy. Use cruise control when you can on long highway drives and save your right foot for more exciting canyon roads.

Remove extra weight from the vehicle. Extra stuff adds weight, which affects fuel economy. Take out anything from the trunk or passenger area that you don’t need, especially heavy things. Every little bit helps, when you’re moving a big sedan.

Use a less aggressive driving mode, if available. Some Charger models have driving modes that save fuel by changing how the throttle responds and when the transmission shifts. This might reduce the Hemi’s quickness, but it can improve fuel economy in daily driving.