MSRP: From $49,995
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Overview
The 2026 Dodge Charger muscle car is the last of its kind in the U.S., aside from the Ford Mustang, but it offers more choice, with both 2- and 4-door bodies and both gas and electric powertrains. Dodge sells it as part of its multi-energy lineup with a twin-turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine in 420- or 550-horsepower outputs that outgun the old Charger’s V8s. It comes with standard AWD and an on-demand RWD mode. The Charger is a real high-value muscle car that makes for a very characterful and powerful daily driver.
What’s New for 2026
Joining the Charger Daytona EV this year is the 2026 Charger Sixpack, which comes with a gas powertrain. The twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline 6-cylinder develops 420 or 550 hp and comes in either 2- or 4-door body styles. The multi-energy Charger already won the 2026 North American Car of the Year award.
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
Stellantis
Exterior
The Charger looks a lot like the concept car that spawned it, with a long, low body and hood, and a chiseled nose with an illuminated Fratzog badge on it. The fastback tail ends in a short deck and illuminated rear Fratzog badge, and a wide hatchback liftgate opens up to reveal a large cargo area; it’s manual on the base and powered on the Plus trims. The R/T runs on 18-inch wheels, but 20s are optional – and standard on the rest. The Scat Pack comes with dual exhaust outlets and a gloss-black deck spoiler. Exterior lighting is all-LED.
Dodge
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
Interior
Inside, this muscle car packs the latest tech, with a digital gauge cluster (10.25 inches on base trims and a freestanding 16-inch unit on Plus trims) and a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, incorporating a G-meter, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 6-speaker audio. The Plus trims add navigation, a wireless charging pad, and 9-speaker Alpine audio, with an 18-speaker setup optional. Black cloth covers the seats, but the Plus trims get leatherette. The higher trims gain features such as ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The cabin is roomy, with space for up to five.
Stellantis
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
Price Range and Best Value Trim
The 2027 Dodge Charger’s price starts a hairbreadth short of $50K.
| Trim | Price |
| Base trim: 2-Door R/T | $49,995 |
| Top trim: 4-Door Scat Pack Plus | $61,990 |
| Best value trim: 4-Door R/T | $51,995 |
The Charger 4-Door R/T is the best value, with 420 horsepower, AWD, 4-door practicality, and the full safety suite. It runs on regular fuel and costs $5,000 less than the Scat Pack.
2026 Dodge Charger Specs Overview
The gas-powered Charger comes with a twin-turbo six in two states of tune, each with an 8-speed automatic and standard AWD.
Powertrain Options
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Transmission | Drivetrain |
| 3.0L I-6 Twin-Turbo Sixpack SO (R/T) | 420 hp | 469 lb-ft | 8-speed auto | AWD with RWD mode |
| 3.0L I-6 Twin-Turbo Sixpack HO (Scat Pack) | 550 hp | 531 lb-ft | 8-speed auto | AWD with RWD mode |
The R/T’s SO engine can run on regular gas, but premium is required for the full power output. The Scat Pack’s HO engine requires premium gas.
Performance and 0-60 MPH
Even the base R/T packs 420 hp and catapults the heavy car to 60 mph in under five seconds. The 550-hp Scat Pack cuts that figure to 3.9 seconds. There’s always a lot of power and a wall of torque to call upon, with the 8-speed auto hooking the right gears and the big car lunging for the horizon when you hoof it. It’s composed on a winding road, but doesn’t feel agile, and you never escape the feeling of weight.
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
Dodge
Fuel Economy (MPG)
According to the EPA, the 420-hp Charger R/T is good for 17/26/20 MPG city/highway/combined, which provides a range of 350 miles on a 17.5-gallon tank. The 550-hp Scat Pack returns 16/23/19 MPG. The R/T can run on regular gas, but won’t develop full power. The Scat Pack requires premium gas.
Dimensions
Dimensions are the same for both the 2- and 4-door.
| Measurement | Value |
| Length | 206.6 in |
| Width | 79.9 in |
| Height | 59.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 121.0 in |
Interior Space (Front and Rear)
| Measurement | Front | Rear |
| Legroom | 42.6 in | 37.2 in |
| Headroom | 39.1 in | 36.9 in |
| Shoulder room | 59.5 in | 57.6 in |
Cargo Space
The 4-door Charger holds 22.75 cu-ft behind the rear seats, which is extremely generous for the class. Folding the 60/40 rear seat expands that to 38.03 cu-ft for weekend hauling. The 2-door virtually matches these numbers with 22.19 cu-ft and 37.39 cu-ft, respectively.
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
Ground Clearance
The ground clearance of 5.5 inches is typical for a low-riding performance car. It’s adequate for daily driving and packed snow, which can be negotiated with confidence on proper tires and the AWD system, but it’s too low for trails or deep ruts.
Warranty
Warranty coverage is competitive but not class-leading:
| Coverage | Term |
| Basic | 36 months / 60,000 km |
| Powertrain | 60 months / 100,000 km |
| Corrosion | 60 months / 160,000 km |
| Roadside Assistance | 60 months / 100,000 km |
| Complimentary Maintenance | Not included |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Standout retro styling
- Twin-turbo six beats the old V8
- Standard AWD with rear-drive mode
- Gas or electric, and two or four doors
- Roomy cargo area
Cons:
- Thirsty in real driving
- Large and hard to park
- Noticeable road noise
- Premium fuel required on the Scat Pack
- No official 0-60 figures
Verdict
The 2026 Charger resurrects the traditional muscle car in a way no other automaker does, with a full range of 2-door coupes and 4-door sedans, with both gas and electric power, at a high-value starting price of less than $50K. With a minimum of 420 hp on tap and standard AWD, the regular R/T is just dandy for most buyers, and the money saved can be used to add the $1,495 Driver Convenience Group package that adds a heated steering wheel and front seats, a power driver’s seat, front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, active noise-cancellation, Alpine 9-speaker audio, and more.
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
Competitors
About the author
Cobus F. Potgieter
Reviews and Features Editor