The brand name Dodge has long been synonymous with performance, dating back to the 1960s and the original Charger and Challenger. In recent years, the company applied its go-faster approach to an SUV model with a high-performance variant that was not just much wilder than the base model, but cost more than twice as much. If you’re looking for a supercharged monster that can deliver sports-car-like thrills within a family-sized package, look no further than the Durango SRT Hellcat.
- Base Trim Engine
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3.6L Pentastar V6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
We took a closer look at the 2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat and discovered just how different it is from the base model. We also learned what you get for your money and how it compares to other competitors in the sector. The figures in the table relate to the 2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat.
A Tale of Two Dodges
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2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Specifications |
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|---|---|
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Engine |
Supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 |
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Transmission |
Eight-speed automatic |
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Drivetrain |
All-wheel drive |
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Power |
710 hp |
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Torque |
645 lb-ft |
It’s not often that you find such a stark contrast between accessibility and extravagance as there is within this Durango lineup. After all, the most basic version, or the GT, starts at just over $40,000, but as you climb the trim ladder, things escalate quickly. At the top of the range is the SRT Hellcat. It’s still a family SUV but is also a tire-shredding powerhouse. And you can expect to pay for the privilege as well, with an MSRP of $84,995 for the Hellcat, before any dealer markups or destination fees. Still, this version allows you to accelerate from zero to 60 MPH in just 3.5 seconds, as you rush to get the kids from school.
The Unruly Cousin Returns
In 2025, the Hellcat is making a triumphant return to the Durango family, after having first burst onto the scene in 2021 initially as a one-year release. Muscle car devotees were not happy with its subsequent disappearance and demanded its return, with Dodge happy to comply. Buyers were able to buy the Durango SRT Hellcat again in 2023. Now, it’s back again as of the 2025 model year. The good news is that this specimen is just as brutal as ever while being fully compliant with emissions regulations.
Today’s SRT Hellcat has a 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 with a headline-grabbing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. It’s got an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive, and its muscular look makes a statement in your driveway. The engine has a forged crankshaft, high-strength internals, and a twin-screw supercharger, so it not only goes well but sounds rather nice, too.
Ready for Anything Capability
The Durango Hellcat has track-ready performance with a high-performance adaptive suspension, launch control, selectable drive modes, and Brembo six-piston brakes. The drive modes include auto, sports, track, snow, and tow, allowing you to fine-tune the transmission, suspension damping, and throttle response. Despite the size and bulk of this vehicle, the launch control system works remarkably well. It uses data from the powertrain to optimize the amount of grip off the line, so you can consistently test those claimed acceleration figures.
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Interior Quality to Match the Performance
Inside the Durango Hellcat, buyers get plenty of bling for their money. For example, leather-trimmed sports seats are standard, as is a 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system. There are race-inspired accents everywhere, carbon fiber trim, and SRT-specific graphics. The driver’s digital instrument cluster has performance pages that give you real-time telemetry, such as your quarter-mile time or the G-force you experienced when speeding along Mulholland Drive’s curves.
Other Durango Trim Levels
If you’re not quite ready to shell out that kind of money for your SUV, Dodge does have several intermediate trims. For example, the GT variant has quite sporty styling for the base model with optional all-wheel drive and upgraded interior materials. Previously, there was the SRT 392 model, which cost around $75,000 and provided you with 475 hp. Each of these trim levels represents a good balance of muscle and outright utility, but none are quite as crazy as the Hellcat.
And the $85k Hellcat sticker is only the starting price, as there are plenty of optional packages to add to the bill. For example, consider the Blacktop pack, which will give you gloss black accents and mirrored caps. The Premium Interior Group option changes the headliner to suede, upgrades the leather upholstery, and illuminates the front cupholders. Considering taxes, dealer markups, and the rest, you might need to spend $120,000 to get a fully loaded Hellcat onto the road. This price is about the same as that of a base model Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
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Up Against the Competition
If the Durango SRT Hellcat is all about performance, let’s see how it compares to rivals in the segment. Here, the Dodge does quite well in the horsepower-per-dollar value comparison. For example, the BMW X5 M Competition gives around 617 hp, but costs $125,000. The Audi RS Q8 has 591 hp for $125,000, while the Cadillac Escalade V starts north of $150,000. As you can see, the Hellcat can compete with all of them while still undercutting them in price.
Other Performance Points
Despite the explosive performance, the Durango Hellcat still serves its SUV purpose. For example, you can get up to seven passengers on board with generous cargo space, and it has a towing capacity of 8700 pounds to haul boats, trailers, and other weekend toys. It also has a comprehensive suite of safety features that the market seems to demand today. The fuel economy is not so great because the EPA estimates only 12 MPG in the city and 17 MPG on the highway. In that respect, it may not be the best choice for an eco-conscious buyer. Still, when you consider everything, this SUV is rather exceptional because it’s not easy to find a full-size SUV that can be both a daily driver and a drag racer.
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A Legend on the Way Out
Is the Durango Hellcat part of a dying breed? Dodge appears to be following most major manufacturers with plans to electrify its performance lineup, and this could include an all-electric Charger Daytona SRT. With that in mind, the 2025 Durango Hellcat could be one of the final expressions of the company’s internal combustion performance legacy. This vehicle could be a potential future classic if that is the case. Some auctions are already seeing good resale values for clean and low-mileage Hellcat Durangos, so the 2025 model may become even more desirable as emission regulations tighten further.
Get Your True Taste of Performance While You Still Can
So, the 2025 Dodge Durango range has a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character about it. On the one hand, you can get an affordable and capable family SUV at the lower trim level, with a fully-fledged performance icon in the top-of-the-line Hellcat. You can’t fault Dodge for giving you enough choices either, as for $40,000, you can get a solid and no-frills workhorse, and for more than twice as much, you can get a thunderous 710 hp beast that’s ready for anything you can throw at it. The SRT Hellcat is not for everyone, but it was never supposed to be that way. It may, however, be perfect for the bold few who want to drive something unforgettable before the electric revolution finally takes over.
Sources: Dodge.
