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Comparing the Dodge Challenger Demon vs. Hellcat may involve two models that have left this earthly plane (figuratively), but if you listen closely after midnight, you can still hear them screaming. These are two of the most extreme muscle cars to ever bear the HEMI torch, and you can bet that they still haunt drag strips to this day. Will you hunt down a Demon, or are you destined for a Hellcat?
See which monster is your ideal used muscle car for sale by reading this Dodge Challenger Demon vs. Dodge Challenger Hellcat guide. Then, check out our pre-owned-car inventory at Spartanburg CDJR (or your local Dodge dealership) to get into one of your own (depending on availability). Contact us today to inquire about a used Demon or Hellcat Challenger!
As is going to be a theme in every category, the Dodge Challenger Demon vs. Hellcat battle mainly comes down to the 2018 and 2023 Demon models being the ultimate Challenger iterations. The Challenger Hellcat, in other words, is the foundation that the devil called "Challenger Demon" was built on.
This is readily apparent in the horsepower outputs: the 2023 Challenger Hellcat went out kicking and screaming with 717 horsepower, while the Hellcat Redeye upped the ante to 797 horsepower. The Demon, meanwhile, made its first appearance with 840 horsepower in 2018, and then came back for vengeance with up to 1,025 horsepower.
Dodge Challenger Hellcat vs. Demon performance specs are exactly what those horsepower figures suggest: extreme, with the Demon being the most extreme of them all.
Starting us off, the 2023 Challenger Demon was the fastest-accelerating production car in the world when it debuted,2 going from zero to 60 mph in 1.66 seconds.
That's absurdly fast, and yet the intensity doesn't die down after 60 mph: The 2023 Demon was the first-ever factory muscle car to run an eight-second quarter mile,3 crossing the traps in 8.91 seconds at 151.17 mph thanks to a whole slew of legit drag-racing enhancements. Its predecessor, the 2018 Dodge Demon, posted a 0-60 mph time of 2.3 seconds, plus a quarter-mile time of 9.65 seconds with a trap speed of 140 mph.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Challenger Hellcat put down a 3.9-second 0-60 mph time,4 with the Hellcat Redeye boosting this to a mere 3.6 seconds, according to the automaker. Some earlier versions of the Hellcat Redeye hit the mark in 3.4-seconds.1
Take a look at quarter-mile specs for the Hellcat over the years, and you'll encounter times as quick as 11.6 seconds at 125.4 mph,5 while the 2023 Hellcat Redeye had an official quarter-mile time of 10.8 seconds at 131 mph.
A Dodge Challenger Hellcat vs. Dodge Challenger Demon comparison is the only time the Hellcat specs seem slow, mostly because the Demon is just shockingly vicious. Against normal muscle cars, every member of the Dodge Challenger Last Call lineup, be it the Hellcat, Demon, or even Scat Pack, is brutally fast.
A glorious 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 powers every form of the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and the Challenger Demon. Why, then, is the Demon capable of making over 300 horsepower more than a Hellcat?
The gist of it is that the Demon uses a whole host of performance upgrades, including a larger supercharger, bigger air intake, specialized drivetrain tech, and many further enhancements to make more power and go faster; you can see the full details in our Dodge Challenger SRT Demon review.
| 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat | 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye | 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon | 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insanity Level | High | Very High | Extreme | Unparalleled |
| Engine | 6.2L supercharged HEMI V-8 | 6.2L supercharged HEMI V-8 | 6.2L supercharged HEMI V-8 | 6.2L supercharged HEMI V-8 |
| Max. Horsepower | 717 | 797 | 840 | 1,025 |
| Torque | 656 lb-ft | 707 lb-ft | 770 lb-ft | 945 lb-ft |
| 0-60 Acceleration | 3.9 sec4 | 3.6 sec | 2.3 sec | 1.66 sec |
| Quarter-Mile Time | 11.6 sec5 (tested w/ 2015 model) | 10.8 sec | 9.65 sec | 8.91 sec |
| Quarter-Mile Speed | 125.4 mph5 (tested w/ 2015 model) | 131 mph | 140 mph | 151.17 mph |
To conclude our Dodge Challenger Demon vs. Hellcat comparison, we'll go over something that buyers of both vehicles care dearly about: fuel efficiency. That's a joke. There is, however, one fuel-related difference that you should care about, namely the type of fuel each side can take.
Both the Hellcat and Demon models will accept 91-octane premium gasoline, but while the Hellcat makes its full power on premium, the Demon will be handicapped here. Instead, the 2023 Challenger Demon, known as the Demon 170 in reference to its preferred fuel type, requires E85 to make its full 1,025-horsepower output.
With all that being said, a Challenger Hellcat will be a bit more fuel-efficient than a Challenger Demon, but that's a worthy trade-off for all the extra power and performance.
Yes, it is sad that the Challenger has been discontinued, but the silver lining is that its popularity as a new car means that plenty of used models can still be found. Plus, a Hellcat is actually still available as one of all new Dodge vehicles for sale: the three-row Durango SRT Hellcat SUV lives on for 2026, developing 710 horsepower and going from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
Inquire today and get into an extreme muscle car at Spartanburg CDJR, or reach out to your local Dodge dealership and ask about any pre-owned supercharged HEMI beasts in stock.
Yes, the Dodge Challenger Demon, both the 2018 and 2023 models, are faster than the Challenger Hellcat. For reference, a Challenger Hellcat posted a 3.4-second 0-60 mph time at its quickest,1 while the 2023 Demon did the same 0-60 mph sprint in just 1.66 seconds. Even the 2018 Demon has an insane 2.3-second 0-60 run.
The Dodge Demon is like a Hellcat cranked up to 11. It is thoroughly overhauled with drag-racing-oriented upgrades all around, along with special engine enhancements that let it make much more power. For comparison, the difference between Dodge Demon and Hellcat models is that the Hellcat topped out at 797 horsepower, while the Demon went up to 1,025 horsepower.
The air intake on the hood, mainly; the Demon has a much, much larger air intake than the Hellcat, spanning most of the hood's width vs. the Hellcat and its comparatively small central air intake (or dual air intakes). The Challenger Demon models also have a different badge from the Hellcat variants, along with larger rear tires and slight headlight differences.
1This information is not verified by the official manufacturer and shall serve solely as unofficial general information. For details, visit: https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2019-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat-redeye-one-week-797-hp-insaniac-hellsled
2Current production vehicles at time of debut, based on 0-60 time, excludes non-mass-production vehicles.
3Based on quarter-mile time.
4This information is not verified by the official manufacturer and shall serve solely as unofficial general information. For details, visit: https://www.motortrend.com/cars/dodge/challenger
5This information is not verified by the official manufacturer and shall serve solely as unofficial general information. For details, visit: https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2015-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat-first-test
