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- Highs Intimidating appearance, gobsmacking acceleration, comfortable accommodations.
- Lows Anesthetized steering feel, mediocre interior materials, sheer power may cause anxiety.
- Verdict The Charger SRT Hellcat is a mind-blowing way to experience a road trip or a drag strip.
Overview
The Charger SRT Hellcat is the epitome of excess, with more horsepower and wider tires than any sedan needs. Despite making more than 700 horsepower and rolling on 305/35R-20 rubber at all four corners, this hellacious four-door is still a Charger, complete with a big back seat and a large trunk. At the heart of every Hellcat is a supercharged Hemi V-8 that makes tremendous noise and tire smoke at the drop of your right foot. Along with heart-stopping acceleration, its widebody stance helps the big-bodied Dodge corner harder and look meaner than ever. Still, the 2020 Charger SRT Hellcat is all muscle and no finesse, which is perfectly fine for transporting families and obliterating quarter-miles.
What's New for 2020?
For 2020, Dodge literally widens the Charger SRT Hellcat lineup by giving it a newly standard widebody treatment. The kit includes revised front and rear ends along with bulging fender flares that add 3.5 inches to the sedan's overall width for a more aggressive visage. Likewise, the Hellcat widebody has stiffer suspension bits and rolls on wider and stickier tires that together help the preeminent Charger handle better. There's also a new Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition that gets 10 more horsepower and unique styling cues that commemorate its NASCAR ancestor that bore a towering wing. However, only 500 copies will be sold.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Most people won't have the chance to own the limited-edition Daytona version, and we're not convinced its exclusive content is worth the upcharge, so we'd stick with the standard Hellcat Charger. Its wider sheetmetal also means a higher starting price, which increases by $2150 compared with the 2019 model year. The 2020 Charger SRT Hellcat has few options outside of a more powerful sound system, built-in navigation, and the Power Convenience package. The latter adds power-adjustments to the passenger seat and steering column for an extra dose of luxury. The rest of the Hellcat's available options are mostly cosmetic and will vary by the consumer.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Without a doubt, the Hellcat's main attraction is its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. If you haven't heard, it makes 707 horsepower along with 650 lb-ft of torque. The limited-edition Daytona 50th Anniversary gets software updates that bump horsepower up to 717. Regardless, these ultimate Chargers will leave no one wanting for power, all of which is directed to the rear wheels through a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. The last Hellcat we tested blasted from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds. Of course, its unreal performance doesn't come without a price and drivers must carefully apply the gas pedal to maintain traction. The newly standard widebody setup that we drove helps improve the supersedan's body control and cornering grip thanks to wider, stickier tires and stiffer chassis components. Still, the widebody Hellcat's front tires don't communicate much to the steering wheel, with its heavy and numb feedback.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Since Dodge hasn't released fuel-economy numbers for the 2020 Charger SRT Hellcat, we don't know its exact EPA estimates. However, they'll likely be equal or less than the previous model year, which earned 13 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the SRT Hellcat shares the same design and passenger space as tamer Chargers. However, it has a slew of desirable standard features and some personalized options. Every Charger SRT Hellcat includes a 200-mph speedometer, leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. There's a Carbon & Suede package that adds real carbon-fiber interior trim and a faux-suede headliner for a sportier atmosphere. Interior cubby storage is highlighted by spots to store small items, and we managed to fit seven carry-on bags in the Charger's sizable trunk.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every Charger SRT Hellcat has an excellent 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Its large screen responded quickly to inputs and the physical knobs and buttons make the interface easy to use. Want to rock out while doing massive burnouts? Dodge offers a thumping 19-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
The 2020 Charger SRT Hellcat hasn't been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). While the high-powered sedan includes basic driver-assistance technology, more advanced assists such as adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking are unavailable. Key safety features include:
- Standard blind-spot monitor
- Standard rear cross-traffic alert
- Standard rear parking sensors
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Dodge covers the Charger SRT Hellcat with a competitive limited and powertrain warranty, but it doesn't include any complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,00 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
