The Ram TRX and the Dodge Charger/Challenger Hellcat share the same supercharged 6.2L HEMI engine and the same SRT badge. That’s roughly where the similarities end. One is a half-ton pickup truck built for desert running and maximum off-road abuse. The other is a four-door sedan or two-door coupe built for the quarter mile and canyon roads. Both are extraordinary. Choosing between them comes down to what you actually need the vehicle to do.
The Numbers Side by Side
- Engine: Both — Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8
- TRX power: 702 hp (original), 777 hp (2027 model) / 650 lb-ft torque
- Hellcat power: 707 hp standard, 717 hp with premium fuel / 650 lb-ft torque
- TRX 0-60: 4.5 seconds (original), 3.5 seconds (2027)
- Hellcat 0-60: 3.6 seconds
- TRX towing: 8,100 lbs
- Hellcat towing: Not rated for towing
- TRX ground clearance: 11.8 inches
- Hellcat ground clearance: 4.9 inches
- TRX curb weight: 6,350 lbs
- Hellcat curb weight: 4,600 lbs (Charger)
- TRX starting price (2027): ~$102,590
- Hellcat starting price (used 2023): $55,000-80,000+
Where the TRX Wins
Off-road capability. The TRX runs 35-inch tires from the factory, has 11.8 inches of ground clearance, and carries Fox Racing 2.5-inch bypass shocks with external reservoirs. It can run the Baja 1000 route. The Hellcat cannot leave pavement without risking damage to its splitter and rocker panels.
Utility. The TRX’s bed hauls payload. Its frame tows 8,100 lbs. You can put a motorcycle, a dirt bike, or a week’s worth of camping gear in it. The Hellcat has a trunk.
Daily practicality in bad weather. The TRX’s 4WD system and massive ground clearance make it unstoppable in snow, mud, or floods. The Hellcat’s RWD and low clearance make it a liability in winter without dedicated snow tires.
Presence and intimidation factor. A lifted, aggressive pickup truck with 702+ hp and a supercharger whine is a different kind of statement than a muscle car sedan. Both get attention, but differently.
Where the Hellcat Wins
Quarter-mile performance. The Hellcat Charger is lighter by 1,700 lbs and optimized for straight-line speed. A stock Hellcat runs low 11s. A stock TRX runs mid-12s. The weight penalty is significant when the finish line is 1,320 feet away.
Handling and canyon roads. The Hellcat Widebody with its sticky Pirellis and available adaptive suspension handles like a sports car compared to a 6,350-lb truck. The TRX is brilliant off-road but its weight and truck suspension make it a handful on winding roads.
Purchase price. A used Hellcat Charger starts around $45,000-55,000 for a clean example. The new 2027 TRX SRT starts at $102,590 before options. That’s a massive gap. For the same money as one TRX you can buy a clean Hellcat and have $40,000+ left over.
Fuel economy. The TRX weighs nearly 3,000 lbs more than the Hellcat — and it shows at the pump. The Hellcat gets 13/22 mpg (EPA). The TRX gets 10/14 mpg. If you’re driving 15,000 miles a year, that difference costs $1,500-2,000 annually in fuel.
Who Should Buy Each One
Buy the TRX if: You live somewhere with real winters or routinely go off-pavement. You need to haul or tow things. You want the most capable and versatile SRT vehicle ever built. You have the budget for a $100,000 truck and its associated running costs. You care more about what the vehicle can do than outright quarter-mile times.
Buy the Hellcat if: Straight-line performance and handling are your priorities. You want a daily driver that’s quick in all conditions on pavement. Budget matters — you can get into a Hellcat for half the price of a new TRX. You want a car that’s already becoming a modern classic and will likely hold or appreciate in value.
The Verdict
There’s no wrong answer here — both are extraordinary machines. The TRX is the better truck. The Hellcat is the better performance car. They solve different problems with the same engine. If you’re split between them, the tiebreaker is simple: do you ever go off-road or need to haul and tow? TRX. Is pavement all you need? Hellcat, and pocket the difference.
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