Classic car buffs will tell you they don’t make’em like that no more. But the 2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat is proof that, sometimes, they do. Everything from the engine to the body feels like a Challenger. A little modernized, sure, but still a Challenger.
What should you know about the Challenger Hellcat trim?
For starters, it packs a monstrous 6.2L Supercharged Hemi V8 under the hood, putting out a ridiculous 717 horsepower and 656 lb.-ft. of torque.
Below we’ll take a look at a test drive video courtesy of JayGTestDrives on YouTube. We’ll lay out exactly how this thing performs and how it captures the feel of the golden age of the muscle car. So, crank those speakers up and keep reading.
Take it for a Test Drive
Try as we might, words can’t quite do this car justice. If you’re lucky, maybe you can find a dealer that will let you take it for a test drive. Failing that, check out the above video. A Challenger is about the sensory experience, the sound and feel of the car.
If you want to skip right to the good stuff, the highway driving starts at 7:15 and you can watch the driver soar up from around 45mph to 90mph before you can blink. That’s what that 717hp is all about.
Alright, now that you’ve seen the highway driving, you can skip back and check the rest of the video out. We start out with a walkaround and a look under the hood at that nice big Hemi engine.
This engine will get you about 13/22 miles to the gallon, city/highway, on an 18.5-gallon tank. You’ll get better mileage out of a sedan or a compact, sure, but that’s not why you’re driving a Challenger.
The 2020 Challenger is rated for around 1,000 pounds of towing capacity. That’s how carmakers tell you that this car isn’t really meant for towing. The Challenger engine could pull a lot more than a thousand pounds, but the car’s frame isn’t built for it.
You have a total curb weight of around 4,429 to 4,436 pounds, which gives it that nice weighty feel you want in a muscle car. Agile, but hefty. You can almost feel it when the driver speeds out of a turn at 5:00.
The interior of a Challenger just needs to be good enough. A nice, comfortable cockpit that makes you feel totally in control of the vehicle. But some added features here and there are always appreciated, and the Challenger has plenty to offer on that front.
The interior tour starts at 2:02. Here you can see the 10-way power-adjusting heated Houndstooth seats with the Hellcat logo, heated leather steering wheel, and the 8.5″ touchscreen infotainment setup.
There are cars with more luxurious interiors, sure, but you don’t get into a Hellcat to watch TV. A Challenger is its own entertainment system.
Starting at $69,759, this is a premium vehicle at a premium price. But if you’re after a Challenger, you’re after a Challenger. There are no substitutes, and it’s worth every penny.
Photos: Stellantis
