The Dodge Charger is an icon of the American muscle car sector, and one of the most popular sedans in the US. With plans to discontinue the Charger, the current generation might be one of the last opportunities to own one of these models. With that in mind, it’s vital you know what options are out there, and when it comes to Dodge Chargers, the trim levels on sale can be pretty confusing to most of us.
When the current generation of Charger was released, it was eye-opening to see so many trim levels, and the differences in equipment and performance. It truly feels like Dodge has tried to make a Charger for everyone, and while it’s great to see so much choice, it’s difficult to know which model is best for you.
Here at The Weekly Autos, we wanted to help find the right Dodge Charger for you. In this article, we’ll talk you through the features of each trim level, and the cost differences, so you can decide which Charger to buy.
Let’s get started!
What Are The Different Trim Levels On The Dodge Charger?
Firstly, let’s talk about the features you get in each trim level on the Dodge Charger. From the entry-level (the SXT) to the premium trim (the SRT Jailbreak) there are a wide variety of features added as you move up the levels.
The table below shows you what is included at each trim level for the Dodge Charger:
| Features | SXT | GT | R/T | SCAT PACK | SCAT PACK WIDEBODY | SRT HELLCAT WIDEBODY | SRT HELLCAT REDEYE WIDEBODY | SRT JAILBREAK |
| AWD | Y | Y | ||||||
| RWD | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| V6 Engine – 292 BHP | Y | Y | ||||||
| V8 Engine – 370 BHP | Y | |||||||
| V8 Engine – 485 BHP | Y | Y | ||||||
| V8 Engine – 717 BHP | Y | |||||||
| V8 Engine – 797 BHP | Y | Y | ||||||
| Launch Control System | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Brembo Brakes | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Adaptive Suspension | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||
| Reversing Camera & Sensors | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 7 Inch Touchscreen | Y | |||||||
| 8.4 Inch Touchscreen | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Apple CarPlay | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Android Auto | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Sirius XM Trial | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Keyless Entry | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 17 Inch Wheels | Y | |||||||
| 20 Inch Wheels | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Lumbar Adjustable Driver Seat | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Performance Seats | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Heated Front Seats | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Heated Steering Wheel | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Leather Steering Wheel | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| 6 Speaker System | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
As with any generation of the Dodge Charger, the main difference between trim levels is the engine performance and the displacement. The current generation Charger is no different, moving from just under 300 bhp in the entry-level SXT trim, to almost 800 bhp at the top of the range. That’s not all that changes though, and there are a variety of interior and exterior upgrades as you move through the trim levels.
SXT Features
As the entry-level trim, the SXT misses out on plenty of the features that make the higher-spec Chargers great. That doesn’t mean the SXT trim is too basic, as you still have access to features such as Apple Carplay/Android Auto, and a full reversing camera & sensor setup.
The greatest downside to the SXT trim is the engine. It’s no secret that most owners want a Dodge Charger for one reason above all else, and that’s the V8 engine. A V8 is the cornerstone of a Charger, and even though the V6 in the SXT puts out up to 300 bhp, you can’t help but feel like something is missing.
Overall, the SXT is a good car and priced competitively, but it’s not a proper Charger. If you’re after a fairly powerful sedan at less than $40k this is a great choice, but if you want the full Charger experience we’ll need to get higher up the trim levels for that.
GT Features
The next trim level up is the GT. This spec shares a lot of features with the SXT, most notably the V6 engine. However, you go get some visual and tech upgrades, and these make the GT trim feel just that bit more premium.
Firstly, the 17-inch wheels from the SXT are gone, replaced with 20-inches. These look far better, and you also get a different front grille, along with some other visual changes to make the GT stand out. All of these go a long way to making the GT feel like a full muscle car, even if the engine ultimately lets it down.
Inside the car, there are some small changes to the badges, and you get an upgraded infotainment screen and a leather steering wheel. The 8.4inch touchscreen is a welcome addition, and as with most systems, works great with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
R/T Features
The R/T trim, short for ‘Road & Track’ is up next, and this is where things start to get serious. This is the first Charger trim level to introduce a V8, and although it’s only 370 bhp, we are definitely in muscle car territory here.
The engine isn’t the only major difference in the R/T compared to its V6 siblings. This trim level comes with upgrades to the suspension and the removal of an all-wheel-drive option. Inside the car, there are some visual changes with different badges once again, but everything else carries across from the GT model.
The R/T is a popular trim, as it’s the cheapest Charger with a V8. You can argue that 370 bhp is more than enough, but in the Dodge Charger world this is pretty mild, so if you‘re thinking about the R/T trim, you need to consider if you’ll be happy living with the most basic V8 option.
Scat Pack Features
The Scat Pack trim is all about the performance and starts by increasing that V8 engine to 485 bhp and 475 lb-ft of torque. With that extra power, you thankfully get some upgraded Brembo brakes, and also a full launch control system.
These performance upgrades are accompanied by the usual badge and decal changes, allowing you to easily show off to R/T Charger owners. The Scat Pack isn’t all just the performance though, and Dodge is surprisingly generous on other additions here.
The interior upgrades on the Scat Pack trim include heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. These may seem like strange upgrades for a muscle car, but they are still welcome additions and make the Charger a better daily driver for many owners.
Scat Pack Widebody Features
As the name suggests, the Scat Pack Widebody trim is mostly a visual upgrade on the standard Scat Pack Charger. You get the same 485 bhp V8, and all the same tech and interior features, but there are some serious changes to the exterior.
As with most Widebody configurations, you get a host of changes, including new fenders, front and rear bumpers, side sills, and more. The Scat Pack Widebody also adds six-piston Brembo brakes, a small upgrade on the four-piston setup we saw earlier.
For us, the most overlooked upgrade on this trim level is the adaptive suspension from Bilstein. This isn’t the best adaptive suspension we’ve experienced, but it’s still a great addition to the car, and surprisingly makes it a more usable daily vehicle. If you’re a fan of the widebody looks on the current Charger, this trim level is one of the better options.
SRT Hellcat Widebody Features
The SRT Hellcat Widebody trim introduces a supercharger to the Dodge Charger, increasing horsepower and torque to 717 bhp and 650 lb-ft. This is a huge step up from the 485 bhp we saw in the Scat Pack trims, and along with that power increase, the top speed is now 196 mph.
Aside from the ridiculous performance increase, there are the usual changes to the exterior and interior styling. The Hellcat badging appears on every possible surface, just in case you forget what model of Charger you’re in. Alongside this, the widebody pack adds similar design features to the Scat Pack widebody.
The Hellcat Widebody does come with its own suspension, and as standard, you get Pirelli P-Zero tires. Overall, this model of Charger isn’t going to be your first choice for a daily driver, but it is a seriously impressive vehicle. Like the next two trim levels, this is a car that will turn heads, on the road or on the track.
SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Features
In case the Hellcat wasn’t powerful enough for you, the Hellcat Redeye turns the power up to a staggering 797 bhp. Dodge claims this is the most powerful production sedan in the world, and that makes the Hellcat Redeye a special vehicle no matter what.
Apart from the mechanical upgrades, there isn’t a lot to distinguish the Redeye from a standard Hellcat. This Charger is designed solely for those drivers who want every horsepower they can get their hands on, and Dodge has duly delivered here.
If you were the type of owner who regretted missing out on the Demon, when Dodge sold all 3,000 units, this is the car for you. It’s unlikely we’ll see another sedan with this much power again, and these will probably hold their value well into the future, but it’s a Charger that certainly isn’t for everyone.
SRT Jailbreak Features
The final trim level on the Dodge Charger is the Jailbreak. This version has a claimed increase in power against the Redeye, stepping things up to over 800 bhp. At these levels, the difference is marginal when you’re driving, but we’ll happily admit it sounds a lot better telling people your car’s power starts with an 8.
The real benefit to the Jailbreak over the Redeye spec is the customization on offer. From decals to different wheels, to brake caliper colors, almost every part of the Jailbreak exterior can be styled exactly how you want. It’s the same story in the interior, with customizable steering wheels, material finishes, and even floor mats.
It’s best to think of the Jailbreak as almost the equivalent to the Redeye, just with the added bonus of choice. For some owners, the specific design of the Redeye is part of the appeal, but if you want your Charger to look almost completely unique (and run with over 800 bhp) this is the trim level for you.
How Much Does Each Trim Level Cost?
Now that we’ve looked at the features included with each trim level in the Dodge Charger, you will want to know how much it costs to specify each trim. Below is a quick summary of the current cost differences between the base SXT trim, and each trim level:
- GT: +$2,700
- R/T: +$10,135
- Scat Pack: +$16,495
- Scat Pack Widebody: +$22,190
- SRT Hellcat Widebody: +$46,800
- SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody: +$55,495
- SRT Jailbreak: +$56,490
Which Dodger Charger Trim Level Should You Choose?
Overall, the wide range of trim levels available on the Dodge Charger makes it difficult to pick the best model. For us here at the Weekly Autos, the Scat Pack feels like a great balance between performance, and cost. At over $16,000 more than the base level SXT, this might seem like a steep increase, but with the V8, upgraded brakes, and interior changes, it feels like a good price.
For a lot of owners, the SRT versions will certainly be a focus, and that’s easy to understand. The core of the Dodge Charger has always been a powerful V8, and with 700+ horsepower on offer at a few different trim levels, those models are hard to resist.
Hopefully, this article helped to explain the different trim levels on the Dodge Charger, and which model might be best for you. We’ve covered other trim comparisons, along with a wide variety of topics on all things automotive across our site, with some of the links below:
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