The Big Idea
Dodge built this next-generation Charger for a world where buyers still want muscle-car attitude, but also want modern performance tech, usable cargo space, and year-round drivability. After a week behind the wheel of the 2026 Charger Scat Pack Plus, the headline is simple.
It still looks like a Charger. It still drives like something with an edge. The powertrain is no longer a V8, but the overall experience is still unapologetically Dodge.
Design: Nostalgic, Modern, and Mean in the Right Ways
The styling did it for me immediately. The shape is nostalgic with a modern edge. The body lines are clean, and the lighting signatures inside and out give it a lot of attitude, especially at night.
This Charger also plays a clever trick. From most angles, it reads like a fastback coupe. You don’t fully register that it is also a hatchback until you actually use the cargo area. Dodge kept the coupe look intact while adding practicality.
One more thing you don’t appreciate until you are close to it is the scale. This is a large coupe. It carries visual weight and a large footprint, even if it looks sleek in photos.
Powertrain and Performance: Better Than Expected, With a Catch
This Scat Pack is powered by Dodge’s 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six, branded here as the SIXPACK High Output. Dodge quotes 550 horsepower and 531 lb. ft of torque, a 3.9-second 0 to 60, 12.2 seconds in the quarter mile, and a 177-mph top speed.
I didn’t expect the inline six to be as satisfying as it is. In standard drive mode, there is a noticeable delay on takeoff. It is not dramatic, but it is there. Once the turbos build boost, the car becomes quite responsive and pulls hard.
The exhaust note leaves a little to be desired. It is functional and performance-tuned, but nothing sounds like a V8. Some buyers won’t care, but traditional Charger loyalists will.
Handling and Confidence: Surprisingly Agile for Its Size
This is where the car surprised me most.
For something this wide and this large, the Charger feels agile and composed. It rotates cleanly through corners and doesn’t feel clumsy on tight roads. The standard all-wheel drive helps put power down and adds confidence on imperfect pavement.
During my week, I spent time carving up curvy mountainous backroads in North Georgia. The AWD system gave a real sense of security. I thought I might end up testing Wet and Snow mode this weekend, but the forecast didn’t materialize. Probably better that I didn’t have to test the snow grip of the 20-inch all-season tires.
Dodge also lets drivers switch to a Rear Wheel Drive mode that sends 100 percent of torque to the rear, a feature that keeps this car connected to its muscle-car roots.
Interior, Tech, and Daily Comfort
The cabin feels more intentional than past Chargers. The dash layout is driver-focused, the screens are clear, and the lighting gives the interior character. Dodge’s Attitude Adjustment lighting adds a fun layer to the experience with customizable colors and event-based animations.
The seating position and visibility fit the car’s performance mission. The panoramic glass roof is a nice touch, and the coating does a good job blocking harsh rays in bright conditions.
Rear-seat room is better than you would expect in a coupe, even if most owners rarely put adults back there. For anyone who does dare, Dodge includes thoughtful touches such as heated rear seats and USB-C charging ports.
And then there is the hatch. It changes the car's day-to-day usefulness. Dodge says max cargo volume is 37.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which makes this feel more like a performance car you can actually live with.
Safety and Driver Assistance Highlights
Dodge loads the Charger with modern safety tech. Standard features include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, active lane management, active driving assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection, ParkSense park assist, traffic sign recognition, and drowsy-driver detection.
Available camera tech includes surround-view and tire-to-curb views, which help with daily maneuvering given the Charger’s width.
What Our Tester Was Equipped With
MSRP and pricing on our specific test vehicle
Base price: $54,995
Destination: $1,995
Total as tested: $68,755
Factory options on our test vehicle
Carbon and Suede Package: $1,995
20” x 11” Wheel and Tire Package with 305-section all-season tires: $1,095
Demonic Red Seats: $495
Full Glass Roof: $995
Alpine 18 speaker High Performance Audio with subwoofer: $1,495
Buyer’s Guide
The trims that matter for shoppers
2026 Dodge Charger R/T AWD
• Powertrain: 3.0-liter SIXPACK standard output twin turbo inline six
• Output: 420 horsepower
• Starting MSRP: $49,995 plus destination
Best for: Buyers who want the new Charger design, standard AWD, and strong power without paying for the top output engine.
2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack AWD
• Powertrain: 3.0-liter SIXPACK high output twin turbo inline six
• Output: 550 horsepower
• Starting MSRP: $54,995 plus destination
Best for: Buyers who want the most performance for the money, plus the Scat Pack hardware and features built for aggressive driving.
2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus
What it adds: A more premium equipment focus, larger digital cluster and HUD availability, enhanced lighting, and option packages that push the cabin and tech toward near luxury territory.
Best for: Buyers who want Scat Pack performance without compromising interior tech, seat comfort, audio quality, or camera convenience.
Packages and options worth prioritizing
• Carbon and Suede Package
Best value for buyers who want the cabin to feel special every time they get in. It noticeably elevates the interior environment.
• Customer Preferred Package 22B
If the budget allows, this is the package that transforms the daily experience with ventilated seating, larger screens, navigation integration, wireless charging, and a surround-view camera.
• Wheel and tire upgrade
The 20” x 11” setup adds visual muscle and grip, but it is still on all-season tires. Shoppers serious about performance driving should budget for a true summer tire set where climate allows.
• Panoramic glass roof
If the car is used as a daily driver and not just a weekend toy, this option adds real enjoyment.
Two-door or four-door
Dodge offers both coupe and sedan body styles in the Charger lineup, with the four-door versions priced higher. Shoppers needing regular rear-seat use should wait for the four-door Scat Pack's 2026 availability.
Who this car is for
This Charger fits someone who still wants a muscle-car identity but also wants modern tech, year-round traction confidence, and real cargo utility. It also suits buyers who want measurable performance, not just loudness.
Bottom line
After a week, the 2026 Charger Scat Pack Plus proved it still has Charger attitude. It looks right, it drives better than many will expect, and the twin-turbo six delivers real performance once you’re into the boost.
The emotional gap is the exhaust note. Nothing sounds like a V8. But the overall package is strong enough that many buyers will accept the trade, especially those who value handling, AWD confidence, and an interior that finally matches the price tag.
