Few cars come in as many engine offerings and trims as the Dodge Charger. That’s good news for Mopar fans, but what if you don’t want a supercharged V8? What if you’d rather have one of the most affordable, fuel-efficient Chargers in the lineup? Enter the Dodge Charger GT and SXT.

Is a Charger SXT a V8?

No, the Dodge Charger SXT is not a V8. Instead, the base model SXT, or Standard Extra, packs a capable Pentastar V6 engine. The SXT’s Pentastar six-cylinder is no slouch, however. It produces a healthy 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. 

While the SXT’s performance figures aren’t enough to dominate the sedan segment, they are a good balance of performance and efficiency. A Dodge Charger SXT can cruise with around 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg at highway speeds. 

Aesthetically speaking, the Charger SXT is the absolute bottom tier. SXT customers will go without large vents, fender flares, or large wheels. However, the car is still fundamentally Charger and wears its aggressive styling well. 

What is a Dodge Charger GT?

The Dodge Charger GT isn’t an SXT. No, the GT is an entirely separate car. However, the Charger GT does pack a Pentastar V6 just like its sibling, the SXT. Unlike the base SXT, the GT’s V6 produces a respectable 300 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque. 

Also, the GT features a single-scoop hood and classic color options. Also, the Dodge Charger GT sports more aggressive styling, complete with a spoiler. The result is a good-looking Charger with a dependable V6 engine. 

Which car is better, the Charger GT or SXT?

Both the GT and the SXT have the same Pentastar powerplant. Also, Dodge offers both cars with all-wheel drive (AWD). While that may not seem important to a muscle car shopper, it will serve consumers well in challenging climates. 

However, the Dodge Charger GT makes eight additional horsepower and four additional lb-ft of torque. That may not seem like much, but GT drivers will be sure to appreciate the extra pickup. Also, the GT has aesthetically pleasing features that the SXT doesn’t offer. Specifically, the GT features a similar single-scoop hood to the Challenger GT. 

Also, the Charger GT has a sportier front fascia than the lackluster SXT, as well as a spoiler. Finally, the Dodge Charger GT also features paint options that aren’t available to SXT buyers. So if you can swing it, the Charger GT is superior.

Is a GT better than an R/T?

While the Charger GT is sportier than the SXT, it can’t hold a candle to the V8-powered R/T. The Dodge Charger RT packs a 5.7 HEMI V8 engine. According to TrueCar, it produces 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. That should be enough to answer the question of which car is better. The extra 70 horsepower is great, but the extra 131 lb-ft of torque is sure to put a smile on your face. 

However, both the Dodge Charger GT and SXT offer AWD. While that might not concern folks who have their sights on V8s, it is useful. AWD grips better in the wet and snow, especially when compared to a V8 with slide-happy rear-wheel drive (RWD). 

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