The Dodge Charger sits high among the most sought-after muscle cars in the U.S. market, with the Fast & Furious franchise only making it more popular. For lovers of the high-performance vehicle, it certainly helps that the entry-level price for the 2022 model is relatively low at $32,500. However, the cost can rise dramatically with higher trim levels and engine options.

The Dodge Charger Jailbreak, the highest trim option, certainly embodies this trend with an $86,595 starting price. This is more than two and a half times the base trim’s price. So, if you’re considering the Jailbreak as a purchase, you have to wonder if it’s really worth the close to $90K asking price.

2022 Dodge Charger SXT baseline trim level

One way to see if the price is worth it is to compare the base model Dodge Charger SXT with the top-of-the-line Jailbreak alternative. This should help identify any differences in value.

The 2022 Charger SXT is a normal-sized sedan, and form-wise it’s maintained a similar shape to the 2021 and previous year models. One of the standard features of the $32,500 vehicle is 17″x 7″ cast-aluminum wheels.

In addition to the fairly thin wheels, the muscle car features cloth sport seats and a 7″ infotainment system in the cabin. Under the hood is an impressive 3.6L V6 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The car is available either with a rear-wheel-drive or an all-wheel drive configuration, with the latter adding close to $4000 to the price.

Also, the engine produces as much as 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque for the rear-wheel-drive model. As for the all-wheel drive option, AutoBlog notes that the horsepower is boosted to 300 horsepower with 4 additional lb-ft of torque added.

2022 Dodge Charger SRT Jailbreak

In addition to the cool name, the Dodge Charger Jailbreak is among the widebody SRT Hellcat options in the Dodge Charger lineup. In fact, it’s basically a slight upgrade to the SRT Hellcat Redeye.

The widebody design is most apparent in the 3.5″ fender flares, making it possible for wheels as large as 20″ x 11″ to fit. This helps enhance grip when putting the muscle car through its paces, allowing for faster acceleration. However, there are other hidden elements, especially compared to normal-sized alternatives. Examples include modified sway bars and springs, improved shocks, and revised damper calibration. According to Dodge, the 20″x11″ wheels are standard, at least for the Jailbreak option, and buyers get all-season performance tires with the purchase.

Inside the muscle car are leather seats with the SRT Hellcat logo and an 8.4″ infotainment screen. However, the most significant difference between the SXT and the Jailbreak is the 6.2 L V8 supercharged engine. Notably, the engine can produce 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque in the Redeye. However, Car and Driver reports that the Jailbreak trim features slight modifications resulting in a 10-hp boost in power. The result is an 807-hp engine that provides more than 2.5 times the power in the SXT trim.

The Dodge Charger Jailbreak also gives buyers access to previously restricted customization options in different areas of the car. These include seatbelt colors, badging options, stripes, brake caliper colors, etc.

Charger muscle car rivals and alternatives

Some large car alternatives to consider, especially if you’re looking at the lower trim options of the Charger, include the Chevy Camaro, Ford Mustang, Toyota Avalon, and even the Chrysler 300.

According to Chevrolet, MSRP for the Camaro coupe starts at $26,195. As for value, you get a four-cylinder engine delivering 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft torque for the base trim. Consequently, despite the smaller engine, it gives the SXT alternative a significant run for its money.

The Ford Mustang is available for $27,205 with a 2.3 L turbocharged four-cylinder engine outputting 310 horsepower. This is in addition to an impressive 350 lb-ft of torque.

The Toyota Avalon and Chrysler 300 have V6 engines for their base trims. Toyota’s engine is 3.5 L, while Chrysler’s is 3.6 L. Powerwise, the Toyota Avalon outputs 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. Comparatively, the Chrysler 300’s stats are 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.

Worth mentioning is that three of the four cars listed offer V8 engine options, with the only exception being the Avalon. That said, none of them has power that’s anywhere near the 807 horsepower output of the Dodge Charger SRT Jailbreak.