For enthusiasts and potential owners, the question of fuel economy in a high-performance vehicle like the Hellcat is always relevant. Forget the EPA estimates; real-world driving conditions often tell a different story. Let’s delve into what you can actually expect when it comes to Hellcat Mpg (miles per gallon) based on actual user experience.
One Hellcat owner, with 12,000 miles of driving under their belt, meticulously tracked fuel consumption during a significant 200-mile daily commute. This commute was a mix of demanding terrains: half consisted of hilly, two-lane country roads, and the other half was high-speed Interstate 95, stretching from the Delaware/Maryland border area past Baltimore/Washington airport. To avoid the worst traffic, drives started in the early hours, maintaining speeds between 60-70 mph on country roads and a brisk 80-90+ mph on the highway. Return journeys were typically a bit slower, around 10-15 mph less.
Driving their Hellcat, exclusively for three months and then one to two times a week afterwards, this owner recorded a consistent average of 19.8 MPG over those 12,000 miles. This figure, calculated manually at each fill-up, represents 95% of driving done with the red key, unlocking the full 700hp, and utilizing street settings for the transmission. Experimentation with sport transmission mode showed a decrease of about 2-4 MPG, while eco mode offered negligible, if any, improvement in fuel efficiency.
It’s also worth noting the discrepancy between the in-car information center’s MPG display and actual calculated MPG. The owner observed the information center to be consistently optimistic by 1.5-2.5 MPG, a trend they’d noticed across several previous vehicles as well. For comparison, their 17 WRX, used primarily for commuting, achieves a significantly higher 29.7 MPG.
Despite the fuel consumption, the Hellcat’s appeal remains undeniable. The owner highlights the superior comfort and significantly better sound system compared to previous vehicles. The sheer driving experience and the joy it brings make the commute to work, whenever the Hellcat is chosen, the best part of the day.
While the Hellcat MPG might not be class-leading, hovering around 19.8 MPG in demanding real-world conditions, it’s a trade-off many enthusiasts are willing to make for the unparalleled driving experience and power this iconic car delivers.
