2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Quick Take: Budget Muscle Car

If you’re not familiar with it by now, Dodge has an all-new 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine rated at 707 horsepower in the form of the Hellcat that it shoehorns into the Charger. This is now the top trim-level available and brings along all of the SRT goodies as well as a $60,000+ price tag. If that’s out of your price range but you still want power on the cheap, the Charger R/T Scat Pack is worth a look. We recently got behind the wheel of Dodge’s budget muscle car to see how it stacks up against the Hellcat. 

No whine, all muscle 

Unlike Hellcat-equipped Chargers, the R/T Scat Pack relies on power from a normally aspirated 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine which is rated at 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. This is the engine that used to propel the top-tier SRT model before the Hellcat was introduced and it still does a fine job putting the power down. While this engine sheds the SRT moniker for the Scat Pack instead, you also substitute the whining supercharger noise that the Hellcat emits for a simple V8 symphony. Step into the throttle and you’re met with a baritone note as the world quickly slips past. Like the Hellcat, the Scat Pack possesses a lot of power but it’s manageable whether you’re cruising on the freeway or just around town. Don’t expect to pass the pump too often though. The EPA has rated the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack at 15 city/25 highway/18 mpg combined. 

Also: Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards of 2015

Budget muscle car

For a base price of $40,990 (including a $995 destination charge), the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack brings a slew of appointments both inside and out. On top of the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, standard features like rear park assist, a back-up camera, a remote starter, and LED daytime running lights are included at no extra cost. Standard safety features include a tire pressure monitoring system, front and side curtain airbags, rain brake support, and active head restraints. The Scat Pack we had in for testing included Customer Preferred Package 21W which includes things like an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen system, GPS navigation, and HD radio (a 1-year subscription to Sirius XM is required). This will set you back an additional $695 bringing the final asking price of the Charger R/T Scat Pack to $41,685. 

Verdict

The Hemi V8 holds a special place in the hearts of those who enjoy a good old fashion muscle car. When it comes to this powertrain, purists don’t look to fuel efficiency as their number one priority. That’s what we have here in the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack. It’s a budget muscle car that features a well-dressed interior (redesigned for the 2015 model year) and more than enough power for the average driver. Best of all, it won’t break the bank and it allows you to have as almost as much fun as the Hellcat’s black key allows. 

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