Although the 2021 model year didn’t get any notable changes, that doesn’t make it any less interesting. With the last update for the Hellcat coming out in 2020, that means the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat includes every update the model has ever seen. So, we will use this review to compare the original Hellcat with the 2021 model. But as a quick glimpse of what we will talk about, the 2021 Hellcat features more power, a noticeably different exterior, new software features and a slightly more luxurious interior. But all those changes are only a small piece of the complete picture. The Hellcat was so far ahead of its time that even in 2021 very few cars matched its power, not to mention its sheer lunacy as everything is packed in an ancient Mercedes platform never meant for such serious levels of performance. Even more interestingly, the Hellcat was cheaper than most European sports cars with half the power, and as time went on, it became even cheaper which goes against the automotive pricing trend. But before we go into more detail, we invite you to take a look at the Hellcats currently for sale here at Exotic Car Trader.
The horsepower race has been going on ever since the first car was made and over the decades there have been a good number of production cars with more power than the Hellcat. However, virtually all of those cars were packed full of pioneering technology to help put all the power to the ground, and as a consequence, their prices meant they were reserved for those with six or more zeros in their bank accounts. The Hellcat, on the other hand, was still made on the same Mercedes E-Class platform from the late ‘90s. Granted, the chassis was thoroughly revised for the Challenger, but that doesn’t make it any more advanced. At the same time, the engine wasn’t necessarily an engineering marvel either as it still used the same technology we have had for decades. That said, the fact the Hellcat was as crude as a sledgehammer is what gave it more charm and character than virtually any other car on the market. It’s also what made it so affordable considering it has over 700 horsepower, again, more than the Ferrari F8 which cost nearly four times as much. This recipe helped Dodge sell over 40,000 Hellcats which is by no means a small number for a car of its caliber. And the fact it was offered with a manual transmission made it even more special in this modern age.
With the exterior being based on a ‘60s model, the interior had to follow the same design language to a certain extent. Inside a 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat that’s most evident by the gauge cluster which features numbers curving together with the gauge cluster rim. But that’s where the retro cues end. The rest of the Hellcat’s interior, even the gauge cluster, was as modern as they got back in 2015. And although it may look a bit outdated compared to cars built in recent years, it still does the job perfectly well. The infotainment system screen is fairly big and features hundreds of different live data configurations apart from supporting smartphone devices and including navigation. And between those retro gauges sits another screen that can display virtually whatever the driver wishes to see. Furthermore, as of 2020, examples optioned with the leather packages get additional stitches around the dashboard and the door trim adding to the luxurious feel the original Hellcats lacked. Plus, the 2019 update brought more driver aids such as launch assist to prevent wheel hop, and line lock for more efficient burnouts.
While the exterior didn’t change drastically over the years either, the difference between the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat and those that came out in the first few years is immediately evident. One of the biggest changes came in 2019 when a new dual intakes hood was introduced as another retro design cue going back to the original Dodge muscle cars from the early ‘70s. In 2020, the standard Hellcat got new five spoke wheels that weren’t shared with the rest of the lineup. And while the wheels weren’t necessarily better looking or more modern, they revealed those six piston Brembo brake calipers much better which by itself improved the look. Other than that, not much needed changing on the outside. The Hellcat’s front center piece remained those illuminated headlight intakes coupled with the aggressive front splitter. In the back, the trunk lid spoiler grew a bit bigger over the years but it’s barely noticeable while the dual square exhausts continued playing the muscle car anthem throughout the years.
Now we get to talk about what makes the Hellcat so great, the numbers. Starting with the big ones, the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat makes 717 horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque. The power was increased by 10hp in 2019 thanks to the new dual intake hood, but that wasn’t enough to make a difference. But it didn’t have to as the Hellcat still accelerates from 0-60 in just 3.6 seconds with the major limiting factor being the rear tires although the 4,500 pounds it’s carrying don’t help either. Also, for the 2021 model year, the manual transmission went out of production and the only option was the 8 speed automatic. The manual did return for the final, 2023 model year. That said, the automatic tamed the power much better and was faster so if you are not particularly fond of aiming for gear the automatic is the better choice. As for the top speed, it sits at 199 mph due to the poor aerodynamic properties of that vintage styling. That said, the Hellcat isn’t as crude as the original muscle cars as it also gets adjustable Bilstein dampers, multi link independent rear suspension, and 15.4” Brembo brakes. And while it will never be as nimble as the Mustang or Camaro, it still handles its weight quite well.
The 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat had a lower starting price than the 2015 model thanks to a $5,500 price decrease which came in 2019. And while the price did go up in 2021, at $64,400, it was still around $1,000 cheaper. Used prices, today in 2024, are still holding up with examples that have around 10,000 miles going for north of $60,000. Those with fewer miles will dip below $55,000, but depreciation is yet to reach full swing. However, considering that the model had gone out of production and its significance, the Hellcat might remain immune to depreciation for longer than expected.
There is no denying that every Hellcat will eventually become a classic just like the original muscle cars did. But even so, some models will be more sought after than others and the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat should be among those being filled with all the technologies the model ever saw and having the most well rounded exterior. If or when the time comes to buy one, or any other luxury car, consider doing so through Exotic Car Trader. With escrow protection, delivery and first inspection, Exotic Car Trader makes online car sales as safe and as convenient as they get. The same goes if you are looking to sell a car through Exotic Car Trader, only in that case, the process becomes even less time consuming.
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