Haven't driven the SE . But a salesperson told me at another dealer the SE only got 1 more mpg than the 5.7 . I ended up purchasing a 09 R/T 6 speed , Track pack with POS . 20 inch wheel's with Good Year All season tire's in 245/45/20 . I live in Ky. and have driven the car in ice and about 3 inchs of snow this winter alot. Mostly ice . Has really suprised me . The 5.7 has the low RPM pulling power to drive at 1100 rpm in 4th or 5th gear as to conditions. You would not believe how many couldn't believe I was out driving in the snow and ice and not having a problem. I traded my 07 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 and my 06 Miata GT 6 speed with pos on the R/T . Have no regret's at all . I purchased the R/T last Nov. 7th . And now have close to 6000 miles on the car. A average of 20 to 21 mpg with 17.5 as a low with mostly city driving and pedal to the metal several time's ( most of the time to tell the truth ) . And a high of 25.5 driving the 70 mph speed limit and 24.5 on the same road doing 85 to 90 most of the time for a round trip of 120 miles on fill up . Dodge has done a great job with the R/T 6 speed. And plenty of power. Even though I might lust to drive a SRT 6 speed . If you are thinking of a automatic. I also have ( for the wife ) a 06 300C with the older version of the 5.7 Hemi. It does ok in ice and snow . But not as good as my R/T and the R/t get's about 1 more mpg average . But I'm sure the new MDS 5.7 Hemi with automatic does better and more power. I drove a R/T automatic before buying the 6 speed. If you want to cruise very quite the auto exhaust is like my 300 . The 6 speed exhaust sound helped make my decision as did the feel of shifting gears. Wish I had one of each. You can't go wrong with either . The R/T has more trunk room than my 300 also.