For lovers of the Hellcat engine, sad times appear to be looming on the horizon. According to Motor Authority, Dodge seems to have decided to end the Hellcat V8 engine by the end of 2023. The power and rumble of that glorious engine will cease. The fury of some of the most powerful cars will come to a stop. Some may call it the end of an era for the extraordinary Dodge Challenger and iconic Charger, star of the Dukes of Hazard television show.
There may even be the shedding of a tear. All is not lost though, as these iconic beasts are still found on the used car market. It's still possible to satisfy the need for power and get your hands on a second-hand Hellcat at a decent price. Here are some of the cheapest Dodge Hellcats to buy today.
10 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat - $58,295
The Challenger SRT Hellcat could easily be, as some might say, the entry-level into the Hellcat world, but that would be unkind. There is nothing entry about this car. When a massive 6.2-liter V8 is buzzing under the hood that's had some tweaking to pump out 707 hp, it’s hard to call that entry-level. On top of this, it gives 650 lb-ft of torque, so burning rubber is not exactly something that’s a problem. To put these figures into context, it means it can do 0-60 MPH in 3.7 seconds and a quarter mile in 11.7 seconds. No one can argue about power with those types of stats. A 2022 model will set you back in the region of $70,000, but a 2015 model is a bargain at $58,295.
9 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock - $79,595
Technically this is not a Hellcat, mainly because it doesn't bear the Hellcat name, but make no mistake it belongs in the Hellcat family. The SRT Super Stock gets its power from the same engine that is in the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, arguably one of the best muscle cars. However, the power output of the 6.2-liter V8 increases to 797 hp and the torque travels northwards as well to 707 lb-ft. This is a machine that you can take to the races, the drag races that is and that's exactly where it's aimed. According to Dodge, the sign of a Super Stock is the '18-inch-by-11-inch wheels with a Low Gloss Granite finish, riding on massive, sticky 315/40R18 Nitto NT05R drag radials'. The Challenger SRT Super Stock may look like an ordinary car, but there's nothing ordinary about it and a 2020 model costs $79,595.
8 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody - $70,295
On first look, the Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody may seem the same as the Challenger SRT Hellcat. Certainly, the power unit is the same with the same output and torque. However, look a little more closely and there are a couple of differences that make the Widebody stand out. Firstly the wheel arches have flared out making it 3.5 inches wider than the standard SRT Hellcat, and secondly, the tires have become wider. So basically there's more rubber in contact with the road which of course means more grip and everyone wants more grip. With an MSRP starting at $77,535 for a 2022 model, a 2018 is just $70,295.
7 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye - $69,995
For the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, Dodge has taken the mantra of adding more power to an already powerful car. In short, they dropped the same tweaked engine that's in the Super Stock into this car. That means 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. Dodge gave this beast some sharper teeth and a more ferocious bite. It's no surprise that for a car that weighs nearly 4,500 lbs, it can do a quarter mile in just over 11 seconds. All that power equates to some serious tire-shredding fun if you so wish. A 2022 model starts at $79,440 before you add on any options, but a used 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye is nearly $10,000 cheaper at $69,995.
6 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody - $67,403
Just like the Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody has a couple of differences from the SRT Hellcat, the Redeye Widebody has the same couple of differences to the Redeye. Namely, the flared wheel arches make the car 3.5 inches wider, and the wider tires. The engine is still the tuned 6.2-liter V8 with 797 hp. To give a comparison, that's over 140 hp more than the ever-so-special Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and that has a 6.2-liter V8 under the hood as well. Quite clearly the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye is a force in its own right, even in the Widebody form. A 2022 model starts at $85,745, but if you look around there are cheaper options out there like a 2019 version for $67,403.
5 2018 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat - $55,049
The Charger SRT Hellcat is pretty much like the Challenger SRT Hellcat, but this model is not a coupe, it's a four-door sedan. That may not sound significant but going from a coupe to a sedan is a big difference in terms of practicality and everyday usability. This is now, essentially, a family-size car capable of carrying four adults in comfort. However, there is nothing family about this car. What lurks under the hood is that same beautiful Hellcat 6.2-liter engine that hits over 700 hp. No one can call that an engine for a family car. Amazingly, these high-powered muscle cars are still around on the used car market; for example, a 2018 Charger SRT Hellcat is just $55,049.
4 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody - $79,170
This is another version of a family car with some serious muscle. The Redeye in the name means it's got the tuned 6.2-liter engine that blasts out 797 hp. The Widebody form gives it a muscular posture on the road. All that power means it can break the 200-mph barrier putting it on par with supercars like the legendary Pagani Zonda, Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 GT2, or the highly undervalued McLaren Mercedes SLR, all of which have top speeds over 200 MPH. The impressive part of this is that the Charger Redeye is not a supercar but a sedan and it's in the big boy league of two-seater supercars. Getting a 2022 model starts with an MSRP of $88,140, however, a used 2021 model is only $79,170.
3 2022 Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak - $85,495
The Jailbreak version of the Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody gave people something different in the options list. It allowed owners to 'mix and match from a full menu of features' as well as the 'output on the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody bumped to 807 horsepower thanks to a revised power train calibration', according to Dodge Garage. All this made it possible for people to basically personalize their cars and for Dodge to offer a slightly more powerful engine. A 2023 Jailbreak model has an MSRP starting at $89,435 before any customization, however, if you’re willing to settle for an already personalized model, you can find a used 2022 version for $85,495.
2 2021 Durango SRT Hellcat - $80,995
Initially, the Durango was a one-year model for 2021, but demand for this amazingly powerful SUV has seen Dodge continue its production. It sports the Hellcat engine, but this one delivers 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque which gives it a towing ability of 8,700 lbs. Essentially, the Durango SRT Hellcat is a muscle car in disguise. An extremely fast family SUV. As Dodge Garage puts it, 'the perfect choice for SUV muscle enthusiasts with families'. A 2023 Durango SRT Hellcat has an MSRP starting at $91,185, but a 2021 model is just $80,995.
1 2018 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk - $86,200
This may not be a Dodge, but it has a place in the Hellcat range. That’s because the heart of the Trackhawk is the Hellcat engine that makes all the difference. It's a big leap from the usual 3.6-liter V6 that you find in the standard Grand Cherokee which produces a mere 293 hp, whereas the Hellcat more than doubles that. The Trackhawk has more pulling power too, some 1,000 lbs more than the standard. The Hellcat engine transforms a perfectly civilized comfortable SUV into a powerful muscle monster. A relatively new fully loaded Trackhawk can hit the $100,000 mark, but a used 2018 model costs $86,200.
Sources: Dodge, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, Goodwood, Zero To 60 Times