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Dodge unveiled the Charger SRT8 with show-stopping power, courtesy of a 6.1L Hemi V8 engine. However, the venerable Charger wasn’t the only sedan to get the Hemi treatment. Mopar fans know that the stylish and plush Chrysler 300 SRT8 packed the same 6.1L V8 and then 6.4L V8. The result was a couple of super sedans, but which one is better?

How much horsepower does an SRT8 have?

When the first SRT8 Mopar sedans rolled off the assembly line, they used a 6.1L Hemi V8 to scorch tires. That potent powerplant made 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque for both the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Charger. However, as time went on, the Mopars got bigger V8s. 

The Chrysler 300C SRT8 was one of the original modern muscle sedans
Chrysler 300C SRT8 | Stellantis

In 2012, the Dodge Charger SRT8 and Chrysler 300 SRT8 started packing 6.4L Hemi V8s. That engine produces 470 horsepower and the same number in torque. That made the fire-breathing sedans some of the quickest around.  

Are Chrysler 300 SRT8s fast?

The first iterations of Chrysler 300C SRT8s were quick and got even quicker with the bigger engine. For instance, the 2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8 could snap to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. However, MotorTrend reported that the 2006 Charger SRT8 managed a 5.0 second-sprint. 

Still, the cars got quicker with the inclusion of the 6.4L V8. The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 with the bigger engine is good for a 4.2-second run to sixty. However, Car and Driver reported a 4.6 second time for the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8. Those are some seriously quick super sedans. 

The Dodge Charger SRT8 is a fitting competitor for the Chrysler 300 SRT8.
Dodge Charger SRT8 | Scott Olson, Getty Images

How much is Dodge Charger SRT8?

If you want one of these American super saloons, a 50,000-mile 300C SRT8 has a fair purchase price of $16,016. Conversely, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) says that a fair price for the 2006 Charger SRT8 is $18,284. That’s quite a bargain for a pair of fiendishly quick muscle sedans. 

The newer, more powerful models are unsurprisingly more expensive. However, despite starting costs of nearly $50,000 in 2012, the Hemi sedans are much more affordable second-hand. For instance, a used 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 with 50,000 miles will demand around $27,731. Furthermore, KBB says that a 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 has a fair price of $30,877. 

Does Chrysler still make the SRT8?

Neither Chrysler nor Dodge still makes an SRT8 car. For Dodge Charger fans, the news isn’t bad, though. Instead of an SRT8, Dodge produced the SRT 392, R/T Scat Pack, and tire-shredding SRT Hellcat going forward. However, the news is bleak for Chrysler 300 fans. After 2015, the biggest powerplants you could equip in a 300 were the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine or an optional 5.7L V8.  

The Chrysler 300 SRT8 is a posh competitor for the Charger SRT8.
A Chrysler 300 SRT8 | Stellantis

Which car should you buy?

If you’re a Dodge fan, the Charger is your only option. Either powerplant makes considerable power and will add some driving joy to your errands. However, the Chrysler 300 SRT8 is Hemi V8 power in a plush, luxurious package. The decision is yours, but if you want a modicum of elegance in your rubber-scorching sedan, choose a Chrysler 300 SRT8. 

Scroll down to the following article to read about fast sedans!

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