2023 Dodge Hellcat Durango SRT

The 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat comes back with the same 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI® Hellcat V-8 engine that makes 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Durango SRT Hellcat was first made as a one-year-only model for 2021. Due to fan demand, it has been brought back to life, and it is still the best choice for SUV muscle fans who also have families.

“The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat has gotten so much attention and demand since it came out in 2020 that we extended its first production run,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis. “It seemed right to bring back the most powerful SUV ever as part of our historic 2023 Dodge lineup,” said Kuniskis. “Muscle fans also have families, and the 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat can take those families where they want to go and can tow 8,700 pounds.”

The 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat was shown for the first time at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, on the first day of Dodge Speed Week, which is a three-day event with news about new Dodge products. On August 16 and 17, Dodge will make more announcements about their Gateway Muscle and Future Muscle products as part of Speed Week.

The 2023 Dodge Durango SRT has numbers to back up its performance claims. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, finish a quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds, and reach a top speed of 180 mph, according to the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).

Revived: Heart Of A Hellcat

The 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is still a Dodge at its core. The heart of a Hellcat can still be found under the hood. The supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 Hellcat engine was built and tested by SRT engineers so that it would work best in the Durango. As with the last Durango SRT Hellcat, the following features and parts are important to the engine’s performance:

• Charge air coolers have their own cooling system, with a pump, coolant reservoir, and heat exchanger built into the supercharger housing. This system is meant to keep the air going into the engine cooler than 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The twin-screw rotors in the supercharger are close together to keep air from leaking out and make sure the car runs at its best.
• The boost pressure is limited to 11.6 psi (80 kPa) by an electronic bypass valve. The 2.38-liter supercharger has a drive ratio of 2.36:1 and a top speed of 14,600 rpm.
• The engine block is made of cast iron and has water jackets between the cylinders to keep it cool.
• Induction-hardened bearing surfaces on a crankshaft made of forged steel
  The crankshaft damper was tuned and tested to 13,000 rpm.
  High-strength pistons made of forged alloy
• Powder-forged connecting rods with high-load bushings and carbon-coated piston pins that look like diamonds.
• Piston-cooling oil jets
• Cylinder heads made of heat-treated aluminum-alloy
• Exhaust valves that are cooled by sodium, intake valves with hollow stems, and steel-alloy heads that can handle temperatures up to 1,652 degrees Fahrenheit (900 degrees Celsius)
• The lower part of the front fascia has a cold-air scoop that helps feed the supercharger and the 92-mm throttle body of the Hellcat engine.
• The exhaust system is tuned to make a deep, throaty sound.

Overview

The 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat has room for six people inside and 710 horsepower under the hood. This makes it one of the fastest ways to get the kids to school anywhere in the world. The Durango has a big engine and a body that looks like a cross between a muscle car and a truck.

All-wheel drive comes standard on the Durango SRT Hellcat, and for its size, it has a surprising amount of grip in corners, which adds to its reputation as a thrill ride. The cabin is big and well-equipped, and the higher trims have features and amenities that are almost as nice as those in luxury cars.

The Durango SRT Hellcat can pull up to 8700 pounds, so it can also be used to haul big toys. This is an unexpectedly useful feature, given how fast it can go.

Also Read:2023 Dodge Challenger Demon SRT 170

What’s Coming in 2023?

After taking a year off for the 2022 model year, Dodge’s most powerful SUV is back for the 2023 model year. It still has a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine, but the new Plus and Premium trims add luxury features like leather seats, a power sunroof, and high-end audio gear.

Prices and How to Choose

We think the price for the Durango SRT Hellcat is high, but buyers didn’t agree the last time it was for sale. Dodge sold all of the 2021 models and says there was enough interest to bring back the hot SUV for 2023.

For the best performance, we would get the Pirelli P Zero summer tires on the 2023 model we chose instead of the available flashy stripes.

The available 19-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system is also a great way to drown out the constant whine of the supercharger, so we’d go with the Premium trim, which comes with that stereo as well as a leather-wrapped dashboard and carbon-fiber interior trim.

The engine, the transmission, and how it works

Under the swollen and aired-out hood, there is a monster of an engine. It’s a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that can make 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. An automatic transmission with eight speeds sends this earth-shaking power to all four wheels.

The Hellcat engine lets out its exhaust through an improved system that makes it sound even louder. The unmistakable whine of its big supercharger mixes with that music, but we wish the blower didn’t also squeal at low rpm.

We tested a version that went from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, which was the same as a 797-hp Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye we tested, and it went through a quarter-mile at 115 mph in 12.0 seconds. It can also pull up to 8,700 pounds, which is more than any other mid-size crossover SUV can do.

The Hellcat Durango has a specially tuned suspension with adaptive dampers and 20-inch-by-10-inch wheels with all-season Pirelli tires or three-season Pirelli P Zero tires, which can be bought as an option. Our example, which had the latter, had surprisingly tight body control and 0.87 g of cornering grip.

The top-of-the-line Durango also has a strong Brembo brake system that uses six-piston calipers to hold its 15.75-inch front rotors and four-piston binders to hold its 13.8-inch rear discs. These brakes stopped the 5534-pound car that was going 70 miles per hour in just 165 feet.

Price of Fuel and MPG in the Real World

The EPA says that the Durango SRT Hellcat will only get 12 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway, which is not very good. Once we’ve had a chance to test the family hauler with more than 700 hp on our 75 mph highway fuel economy route, which is part of our long list of tests, we’ll be able to figure out its real-world mpg.

Cargo, Interior, and Comfort

Inside, the Hellcat Durango has a layout that is focused on the driver. The dashboard looks like the one in the Dodge Charger and Challenger. The super SUV’s gauge cluster has red accents that are unique to it, and the flat bottom of its steering wheel has paddle shifters and an SRT logo that lights up in red.

The Hellcat model also has seats that are heated, cooled, and made of Nappa leather with microsuede inserts on the front cushions. You can also upgrade the cabin with Laguna leather that comes in black and Demonic Red and has Hellcat logos pressed into it. The center console has two cupholders, a big T-handle shifter, a large storage bin, and room for a wireless charging pad.

The Durango has comfortable seats and a third row that folds down. Models we’ve tested in the past have been able to hold an impressive number of carry-on bags, with space for up to 26 bags when the second and third rows are stowed.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Its entertainment system is run by a big 10.1-inch touchscreen that works with the latest Uconnect 5 software from the company. The interface is mostly controlled by touch, but there is also a volume and tuning knob built into the panel below that controls the temperature. With the addition of Amazon Alexa, voice commands can be expanded, and the system can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time. Other popular features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that work without a wire, as well as a Wi-Fi hotspot that you pay for. The Durango can also come with a rear entertainment system with two 9-inch screens that are attached to the back of the front seats.

Features for Safety and Helping the Driver

There are a few driver-assistance features that come standard or can be added to the most powerful Durango. However, other mid-size SUVs offer more than just the basics that are available here. Visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to learn more about how the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat did in crash tests. Some important safety features are:

• Standard automatic emergency brakes on the back
• Headlights with automatic high beams as standard
• Front automatic emergency brakes are available

Coverage for Warranty and Maintenance

When it comes to its limited and powertrain warranties, Dodge only gives you the bare minimum. Also, unlike competitors like Hyundai and Toyota, the company does not offer any kind of free maintenance.

• Three years or 36,000 miles is how long the limited warranty lasts.
• The warranty on the powertrain lasts for five years or 60,000 miles.
• No scheduled maintenance for free