Against 247 other V6 cars rated 2024–2026, the Charger trails their 21 mpg average by 1 mpg, about $91 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1984, the 1.6L 4-cyl (1984–1986), does 30 mpg and the thirstiest, the 5.7L 8-cyl (2006–2023), 18.8: $763 a year apart.
Every Dodge Charger engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 26 / 35.3 | 1984–1986 | $1,280 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 22 / 32 | 1987–1987 | $1,477 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 18.9 / 29.8 | 2011–2023 | $1,684 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 18 / 26 | 2006–2010 | $1,829 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 17 / 26 | 2026–2026 | $1,920 | |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 15.8 / 24.6 | 2006–2023 | $2,043 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Kia K5 gets 30 mpg, the Porsche Panamera 20.3 mpg and the Genesis G90 20.5 mpg, next to 20 mpg for the 2026 Charger. The Charger costs the most of them to run: $640 a year more than the Kia K5.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.160 |
| Fuel per year | $1,920 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,600 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2024–2026 | +$91 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,117 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Dodge Charger gives up 9 mpg in town: 26 on the highway against 17 in the city, $782 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 17 mpg | $2,259 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26 mpg | $1,477 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9 mpg (53%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Charger changed over the years
The Charger peaked in 1986 at 30 mpg (26 city, 35 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2008 at 19.5 — 10.5 mpg apart, or $689 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 20.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17 / 26 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2023 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2022 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2021 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2020 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2019 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2018 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2017 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2016 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2015 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2014 | 17 / 27 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2013 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2012 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2011 | 17 / 26 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2010 | 17 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2009 | 17 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2008 | 16.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2007 | 16.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2006 | 16.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1987 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1986 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1985 | 26 / 36 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1984 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 41 EPA ratings of the Dodge Charger — 6 engines across 1984–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,117. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2026 Dodge Charger get?
20 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1984 the Charger has averaged 21.4 mpg.
Which Charger year has the best gas mileage?
The 1986, at 30 mpg combined (26 city, 35 highway).
Does the Charger get better gas mileage than the Kia K5?
No: 20 mpg for the 2026 Charger against 30 for the 2026 Kia K5, about $640 a year more to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.