This statement may sound obvious, but no one on a budget is buying a 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye. This trim-topping, borderline supercar has a whopping MSRP of $78,595. However, the Hellcat Redeye comes with some hidden costs that potential buyers may not be aware of.

Just about everything about the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye is outrageous. It’s a family sedan tuned to produce an insane 797 hp. While this Frankenstein creation was totally unnecessary, we love it. Plenty of car enthusiasts do, too.

Few drivers will purchase this muscle car, either due to its cost or that you could get better-equipped models for the money. However, the ones who do will be in for a huge surprise.

2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye owners will incur a pricey gas-guzzler tax that many may not have planned on receiving. Why are these Charger Hellcat Redeye models subjected to this penalty, and will this fee dissuade shoppers from purchasing the car?

What is the gas-guzzler tax?

It won’t come as a shock that a car that delivers nearly 800 hp gets terrible gas mileage. In fact, the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye only achieves an EPA-estimated 12 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. That works out to a pitiful city/highway combined rating of just 15 MPG.

Needless to say, Charger Hellcat Redeye owners will pay dearly at the pump. However, this model’s low fuel economy rating will cost you in more ways than one.

According to MotorTrend, the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye comes with a one-time $2,100 gas-guzzler tax. Along with the shipping and dealer handling fees, this charge will push this model’s cost well north of $80,000.

Why are some cars charged this fee? It originated from the Energy Tax Act of 1978. The EPA states that this tax is used to discourage purchasing and producing vehicles that aren’t fuel-efficient.

Why is the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye such a big deal?

Some cars are made for you to take on your daily commute comfortably and efficiently. Others are precisely constructed to take on hairpin turns on the racetrack. The 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye is a bit different. Dodge built this sedan for pure straight-line speed.

The 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye is the most powerful family sedan available. Its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 kicks out 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. This souped-up powerplant helps Dodge’s muscle car sprint from 0-60 MPH in just 3.5 seconds.

These numbers are absolutely incredible for a model in the family sedan segment. That’s why it’s no surprise that the Dodge Charger has remained relevant and sold well, despite a steep decline in demand for full-size sedans.

The final verdict

Buying one of Dodge’s Hellcat models is the cheapest way to get over 700 hp. However, you’ll have to be willing to endure a gas-guzzler tax. It’s unlikely that this will be a deal-breaker for most buyers, but it is frustrating nonetheless.