- The Durango Hellcat has an advantage of 254 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque over the Model Y.
- Despite being heavier, the Dodge also has a better weight-to-power ratio, which should make this a close battle.
- The unique U-Drags format incorporates a standing start, a full quarter mile, hard braking, aggressive cornering and a rolling race to settle the argument.
U-Drags: Dodge Durango Hellcat vs. Tesla Model Y Performance: Can Gasoline Strike Back?
The Model Y can't match the Durango Hellcat's noise or ridiculousness, but is it faster down our U-Drags track?
- by Brian WongSenior Reviews EditorBrian Wong has worked in the automotive industry since 2010, writing over 1,000 car-related articles and testing and reviewing hundreds of vehicles over the course of career. Brian is a senior reviews editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Cars.com, Motor Authority and Green Car Reports. Brian has also been featured on MotorWeek as an expert for several car comparisons. He loves convertibles (the smaller the better) and hates paying for parking, so Los Angeles is both the right and wrong city for him.
- August 25th, 2023
Our latest U-Drags battle pits a supercharger against Supercharging, pairing up the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat with our long-term Tesla Model Y Performance. This is the second time we've put a Dodge with that bonkers Hellcat engine up against electric competition; if you haven't seen that first video, spoiler alert: It didn't go so well for the Challenger Black Ghost against the Kia EV6 GT.
Working in the Durango Hellcat's favor is the raw output of that supercharged 6.2-liter V8. It puts 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque down to all four wheels courtesy of an eight-speed auto. The Tesla's power figures (456 hp and 497 lb-ft) are much more modest, but it enjoys the advantage (as all EVs do) of all of its torque being available right from the start. But the Durango does have a better weight-to-power ratio of 7.84 pounds per hp, which beats the Model Y Performance's 9.69 pounds per hp by a healthy margin.
Which of these faster-than-they-need-to-be SUVs will come out on top? You'll have to watch to find out.
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EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.
If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.
Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,000 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.
Edmunds says
In our U-Drags experience, we know that you count out these EVs at your own peril. Despite the power advantage that the Durango Hellcat enjoys in this matchup, this battle should be close all the way to the finish line.
by Brian WongBrian Wong has worked in the automotive industry since 2010, writing over 1,000 car-related articles and testing and reviewing hundreds of vehicles over the course of career. Brian is a senior reviews editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Cars.com, Motor Authority and Green Car Reports. Brian has also been featured on MotorWeek as an expert for several car comparisons. He loves convertibles (the smaller the better) and hates paying for parking, so Los Angeles is both the right and wrong city for him.
