2012 Dodge Charger MPG and Fuel Cost
The 2012 Dodge Charger is rated 17 to 23 mpg combined across 6 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 3.6L 6-cyl · RWD · 8-speed automatic.
EPA fuel economy
2012 Dodge Charger · 6 EPA-tested versionsBest EPA rating
23MPG combined
19 city 30 highway
$2,900 a year to fuel
3.6L 6-cyl · RWD · 8-speed automatic
Best version costs $2,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)
Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).
At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,900 to $4,850 a year. Compared with 2011, the best gas version is up 2 mpg.
One of the Charger years to avoid
The 2012 drew 148 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 38 for a typical Charger year: 3.8 times as many.
Years to avoid: 2011 to 2014. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Every Charger year rankedThe 2012 Charger's recalls and problems
Every 2012 Charger version
EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.
| Version | Combined | City / Hwy | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
3.6L 6-cyl · RWD · 8-speed automatic Best
EPA listing: Charger · Flex-fuel (E85) |
23 mpg | 19 / 30 | $2,900 |
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic
EPA listing: Charger AWD · Flex-fuel (E85) |
21 mpg | 18 / 27 | $3,200 |
3.6L 6-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic
EPA listing: Charger |
21 mpg | 18 / 27 | $3,200 |
5.7L 8-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic
EPA listing: Charger · Midgrade fuel |
19 mpg | 16 / 25 | $4,000 |
5.7L 8-cyl · AWD · 5-speed automatic
EPA listing: Charger AWD · Midgrade fuel |
18 mpg | 15 / 23 | $4,200 |
6.4L 8-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic
EPA listing: Charger SRT8 · Premium fuel |
17 mpg | 14 / 23 | $4,850 |
Fuel cost at your prices
EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas, $5.07 a gallon for midgrade gas, and $5.48 a gallon for premium gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.
| Version | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
3.6L 6-cyl · RWD · 8-speed automatic | $2,915 | $14,576 |
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic | $3,193 | $15,964 |
3.6L 6-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic | $3,193 | $15,964 |
5.7L 8-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic | $4,003 | $20,013 |
5.7L 8-cyl · AWD · 5-speed automatic | $4,225 | $21,125 |
6.4L 8-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic | $4,835 | $24,176 |
At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.
Dodge Charger MPG by model year
The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 20 to 23 mpg (2010 to 2023, 2026); highest in 2012.
2012: gas 23 mpgTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| Model year | Best gas version |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 21 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 23 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | – |
| 2025 | – |
| 2026 | 20 |
Every Charger year's ratings in one table
How the 2012 Charger compares
2012 sports and muscle cars covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.
| 2012 model | Best combined | Best gas | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
Best: gas |
23 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,900 |
Dodge Charger This page Best: gas |
23 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,900 |
2012 Charger recalls and complaints
Questions
Does AWD lower the 2012 Dodge Charger's gas mileage?
Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 1 to 2 mpg: the 3.6L 6-cyl gets 23 mpg combined with two-wheel drive and 21 with AWD.
Does the 2012 Dodge Charger need premium gas?
Some versions do. EPA lists the 6.4L 8-cyl on premium, the rest use regular.
How does the 2012 Charger's MPG compare with the 2011?
For 2012, the best gas version is rated 23 mpg, up 2 from 21.
Sources and method
- US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
- EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
- Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.
Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.