By: Joshua Lee
November 11, 2026
For years, Dodge built its reputation on displacement, superchargers and engines that seemed determined to make fuel stations a second home. So when the all-new Charger arrived with an electric powertrain, traditional muscle-car enthusiasts were understandably unimpressed. Apparently, a muscle car without a V8 is blasphemy. Dodge brought back gasoline power with the 2026 Charger R/T Six Pack. While it still won’t satisfy everyone, perhaps it’s time to stop judging a muscle car by the number of cylinders under its hood.
The eighth-generation Charger represents a substantial departure from the outgoing model, but Dodge hasn’t completely abandoned its heritage. The new design is unmistakably muscular, with a wide stance, pronounced fenders, a long hood and a fastback-inspired roofline that gives the four-door a distinctly coupe-like silhouette. There are clear references to the second-generation Charger of the late 1960s, particularly in the broad shoulders, sculpted rear haunches and sweeping roofline. The full-width LED lighting and illuminated Fratzog emblem add a modern interpretation of Dodge’s historic design language, while the black SIXPACK hood treatment distinguishes the gasoline-powered model from its electric Daytona sibling.
In my opinion, the redesign is a success when you see it in person. It looks less like a conventional four-door sedan and more like a muscle coupe that happens to have two extra doors. The rear liftback is another clever addition, providing considerably more practicality than the traditional trunk of the previous generation. However, the Charger is enormous. Measuring over five metres long and approximately two metres wide, it has a commanding road presence, although squeezing into narrower parking spaces is another matter entirely.
Under the hood sits Dodge’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six, producing 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque. Power is delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. For anyone still mourning the outgoing 5.7-litre HEMI V8, the numbers deserve some consideration. The previous R/T produced 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. The new Six Pack offers 50 additional horsepower and 73 lb-ft of torque, making it considerably quicker than its predecessor.
Dodge claims a 0–60 mph (96 km/h) time of approximately 4.6 seconds. More importantly, peak torque arrives at just 2,500 rpm, giving the Charger an abundance of low-end pulling power. There’s no need to constantly work the accelerator to extract meaningful performance. Put your foot down and the twin turbos deliver an immediate, satisfying surge of acceleration.
The exhaust note won’t replicate the unmistakable rumble of a HEMI, and that’s something enthusiasts will have to accept. However, the Six Pack has its own character. It feels muscular, responsive and more than capable of making an ordinary highway merge entertaining. Selectable driving modes include Auto, Sport, Eco and Wet/Snow, while an on-demand rear-wheel-drive mode allows the driver to disconnect the front axle and send all available torque to the rear wheels. In other words, Dodge hasn’t completely forgotten its hooligan tendencies.
On the road, the Charger feels more like a comfortable grand tourer than a razor-sharp sports sedan. Our tester’s Performance Handling Group adds a performance-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes and 20-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear tires. Despite the performance-oriented hardware, the Charger absorbs road imperfections reasonably well while maintaining composure through sweeping corners. Steering could offer more feedback, and its considerable weight becomes apparent when attempting tighter directional changes. Nevertheless, there’s enough grip and stability to make spirited driving enjoyable. The standard AWD system also provides welcome reassurance during less-than-ideal driving conditions.
Inside, Dodge has finally given the Charger a cockpit worthy of its exterior. The dashboard is driver-oriented, with a squared-off steering wheel, pistol-grip electronic shifter and digital instrumentation. Our R/T Plus tester features a 16-inch digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver, complemented by a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment touchscreen. One of the cabin’s more interesting design elements is the wraparound ambient lighting. Dodge’s 64-colour Attitude Adjustment lighting system extends across the dashboard and into the door panels, creating a more immersive cockpit atmosphere. The illuminated accents complement the sculpted door trim and give the interior considerably more personality after dark. It’s a welcome departure from the rather conservative cabin designs found in some traditional performance sedans.
Comfort and convenience haven’t been overlooked. The front seats provide good support, while the long wheelbase translates into generous rear passenger accommodation. The cabin feels genuinely spacious, with enough room to comfortably carry four adults. The liftback configuration also makes the Charger surprisingly practical, offering approximately 644 litres of cargo capacity behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,059 litres when they’re folded.
There are, however, a few compromises. The Charger is an exceptionally wide vehicle, and its thick roof pillars create noticeable blind spots, particularly when checking traffic over the shoulder. The sloping roofline and relatively small rear window don’t help visibility either. Blind-spot monitoring and the available surround-view camera are worthwhile features, especially when navigating crowded urban streets.
Safety technology includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, active lane management, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and drowsy-driver detection. These features make the Charger considerably easier to live with as a daily driver, although they don’t eliminate the need for extra caution given its sheer dimensions.
Fuel economy is another reminder that performance comes at a price. Canadian figures are rated at 14.1 L/100km in the city, 9.0 L/100km on the highway and 11.8 L/100km combined. Those numbers aren’t particularly economical, but they’re reasonable considering the power and size of the vehicle. The engine also accepts regular gasoline, which helps keep running costs somewhat more manageable.
The 2026 Charger R/T 4-Door carries a base MSRP of $62,995. Our Redeye R/T Plus tester comes to $82,178, including options such as the Plus package, Performance Handling Group, Blacktop Package, full glass roof and 18-speaker Alpine audio system. For those seeking even more performance, the 550-horsepower Scat Pack offers another step up the Charger lineup.
Ultimately, the 2026 Dodge Charger R/T Six Pack isn’t going to convert every V8 loyalist, and it doesn’t need to. The Daytona EV may have challenged traditional expectations of what a muscle car should be, but the Six Pack offers a compelling middle ground. It has genuine performance, an unmistakable presence, everyday comfort and enough power to make even a mundane commute enjoyable.
Perhaps the bigger question isn’t whether the Charger has enough cylinders. It’s whether we’re willing to recognize that muscle cars can evolve without losing their ability to put a smile on our faces. With 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque, the answer is pretty obvious. If that’s not enough muscle for everyday driving, perhaps the problem isn’t the Charger.
