As the number of cylinders packed into road-going powerplants decreases, finding a thumping-great V8 is becoming a growing challenge. The days of naturally-aspirated V8s spinning a family car’s rear wheels into oblivion are numbered—and there’s proof. Many automakers have plans to electrify their fleets this decade, and beloved models are constant casualties, especially sports sedans. But if one is looking for an eight-cylinder, four-door bargain, there is still hope. The Dodge Charger is the cheapest brand-new V8 sports sedan available in 2023.

What’s new for the 2023 Dodge Charger?

The biggest news surrounding the Dodge Charger is its discontinuation. Parent company Stellantis nixed the family-sized muscle car and its two-door Challenger sibling in favor of retooling to produce EVs. While speculations grow on the future of the Charger’s return, it will undoubtedly feature some form of electrification. Regardless, its range of thirsty V8s is still around to please.

Stellantis says all 2023 Chargers will feature a commemorative “Last Call” plaque under the hood indicating the final year for the seventh-generation model. The automaker will also offer popular colors from the Charger’s decorated history. They include B5 Blue, Plum Crazy Purple, and Sublime Green. But the company will still paint some in modern Destroyer Grey. All R/T models gain a new “345” badge on the front fender, paying tribute to the long-lived 5.7-liter Hemi V8.

How much is the new Dodge Charger?

Potential buyers can sit behind the wheel of 2023’s cheapest V8 sports sedan for $42,780, per Dodge. Some may think they would be better off getting a decade-old sedan with a big engine and saving some money. Despite the Charger’s classic muscle car minimalism, options are plentiful. And the 60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty is a welcome sight. 

If cheapness isn’t a priority for one’s four-door V8 car, the 485-horsepower Scat Pack starts at $49,190. With increasing power, however, comes cost. The Dodge Charger R/T is one of the quickest sports sedans, but it doesn’t hold a candle to Dodge’s SRT Jailbreak variant. It may have 807 horsepower, but it’s more than twice the starting MSRP of the R/T.

2023 Dodge Charger R/T performance specs

With the Charger R/T’s 5.7-liter Hemi V8, drivers will have 370 horsepower and 395 pounds-feet of torque at their disposal. It’s good enough to hit 60 mph from a standstill in just a tick under five seconds. Unfortunately, all-wheel drive is only available on the V6 Dodge Chargers. Yet, getting the rear wheels to burn on the asphalt is the Charger’s party piece.

On the handling side, the Charger dances well for its girth. Although it weighs well over two tons, it will keep up with other sedans and inspire confidence on the backroads. Second to performance is comfort. The Dodge Charger won’t rattle drivers and their passengers and will provide ample comfort in everyday driving situations. As many can expect, one downside is a lack of fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates 16 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. But if you’re looking for a V8 sports sedan, fuel economy isn’t a high priority, is it?