The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT isn’t trying to be subtle. It doesn’t care about being lightweight, fuel-efficient, or “practical.” This car exists for one reason: raw American muscle, done the modern way.
If you’re looking at a 2018 Challenger SRT, you’re probably not cross-shopping a Prius. You want horsepower, a wide stance, a loud exhaust, and a car that feels aggressive the second you turn the key. Dodge delivered exactly that—and then some.
Let’s break this car down the right way. No brochure talk. Just real-world insight into what the 2018 Challenger SRT is, who it’s for, and why people still hunt these down.
Where the 2018 Challenger SRT Fits in the Lineup
In 2018, Dodge didn’t mess around with trim confusion. The SRT models sat above the standard R/T and Scat Pack trims and were built for performance first.
You’re mainly looking at two SRT flavors:
- Challenger SRT 392
- Challenger SRT Hellcat
Both are animals—but they’re very different animals.
SRT 392
This is the “naturally aspirated, old-school” option.
- 6.4L HEMI V8
- 485 horsepower
- 475 lb-ft of torque
No supercharger. Just displacement, throttle response, and sound. This is the car for people who want muscle without forced induction complexity.
SRT Hellcat
This is Dodge going full unhinged.
- 6.2L Supercharged HEMI V8
- 707 horsepower
- 650 lb-ft of torque
Yes, 707 horsepower from the factory in 2018. That number still sounds stupid—and that’s the point.
Engine Performance: Straight-Line Brutality
Let’s be honest. Nobody buys a Challenger SRT to carve canyon roads like a Porsche. This car is about straight-line power, sound, and presence.
Acceleration
- 0–60 mph:
- SRT 392: ~4.2 seconds
- Hellcat: ~3.6 seconds
That’s absurd for a car that weighs over 4,400 pounds.
Transmission Options
- 6-speed manual for purists
- 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic for people who want faster shifts and better consistency
The automatic is quicker. The manual is more fun. Pick your poison.
Driving Experience: Heavy, Loud, and Confident
You feel the weight immediately. And that’s not a bad thing.
The Challenger SRT feels planted. Wide. Stable. Like it’s glued to the road even when you’re putting your foot down harder than you probably should.
- Adaptive suspension tightens up when you want it
- Steering is heavier than lower trims
- Exhaust is loud, deep, and unapologetic
This car doesn’t whisper. It announces itself.
Interior: Old Muscle Meets Modern Tech
The interior in the 2018 SRT is surprisingly solid. It’s not luxury-car fancy, but it’s built around the driver.
Key Interior Features
- SRT performance seats (bolstered, aggressive)
- Flat-bottom steering wheel
- Real performance gauges
- Uconnect touch screen (one of the best infotainment systems Dodge ever made)
You also get SRT Performance Pages, which let you:
- Monitor horsepower and torque
- Track 0–60 times
- Adjust suspension, steering, throttle, and traction settings
This isn’t gimmicky. It’s useful—especially if you actually drive the car the way it’s meant to be driven.
Exterior Styling: Zero Apologies
The 2018 Challenger SRT looks exactly how it should.
- Wide body stance (optional on Hellcat)
- Functional hood scoops
- Massive brakes behind aggressive wheels
- Squared-off body lines that scream retro muscle
This car looks like it belongs in a drag strip parking lot—or parked crooked outside a diner at midnight. Either way, it works.
Reliability and Ownership Reality
Here’s where I’ll keep it real.
The 2018 Challenger SRT is reliable for what it is, but it’s not cheap to own.
Things to Expect
- Gas mileage is bad. Period.
- Tires don’t last long if you drive it hard.
- Insurance is higher than average.
- Maintenance costs are higher than an R/T or Scat Pack.
That said, the HEMI engines are proven. Dodge didn’t reinvent the wheel here—they refined it.
If you stay on top of oil changes and don’t abuse it like an idiot, these cars hold up well.
Used Market Value: Why People Still Want Them
The 2018 Challenger SRT holds value better than you’d expect.
Why?
- Last of the “pre-Redeye insanity” era
- Classic body style
- Big V8s before emissions got even tighter
- Still easier to work on than newer performance cars
Clean, low-mile examples—especially manual Hellcats—don’t sit long.
Who the 2018 Challenger SRT Is For
This car is for someone who:
- Wants real horsepower, not fake performance
- Doesn’t care about being subtle
- Appreciates old-school muscle with modern reliability
- Wants a car that feels aggressive even at low speeds
If you want quiet, refined, and “responsible,” this isn’t your car.
If you want loud, fast, and unapologetic—this is exactly your car.
Used Cars Nearby
Is the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT worth It?
Yes—if you know what you’re getting into.
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT isn’t trying to please everyone. It’s a statement car. A throwback from years before! A middle finger to boring!
Whether you go SRT 392 or Hellcat, you’re getting one of the last true muscle cars built without compromise.
They don’t make them like this anymore—and that’s exactly why people keep chasing them. No matter if you live in Los Angeles California or Atlanta Georgia there is a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT out there for you or you can look at new cars.