Dodge has put an end to the V8 Challenger and Charger. A year later, the two legendary nameplates made a comeback and were consolidated into one: an all-wheel-drive Charger available in both two-door and four-door models, featuring electric and gas powertrains. One could argue that the rebirth has faced challenges.
While we anticipate the SRT team to reinstate a V8 into the Charger alongside an SRT badge and a prominent wing, we currently have a turbocharged six-cylinder. A quick browse online reveals widespread disdain for this vehicle; sales aren’t thriving like in the Hellcat era, and Dodge finds itself promoting what’s next while its “Brotherhood of Muscle” yearns for a Hemi.
A week spent with the 2027 Dodge Charger Scat Pack showcased that while some elements of this revival were executed well, others fell short.
The Basics
The 2026 Dodge Charger represents a revived muscle car that the market has grappled with for the past year, but now you can reintroduce a gas engine under the hood. If you haven’t noticed, these gas engines aren’t what dedicated buyers are clamoring for, and the electric Daytona endures, despite the more affordable, more potent electric R/T being a no-go.
Let’s be clear: Overall, the new Dodge Charger, whether in gas or electric variant, is visually appealing. I know this because my ten-year-old remarked on how awesome it looks. A mother at my son’s soccer practice approached me and said, “What the heck is this cool car you’re driving?” Her son was wide-eyed gazing at the Charger. For context, my son is a total car enthusiast, while the mother and child at practice were not. Interestingly, the four-door Charger actually outshines the two-door in appearance, with its proportions, door lengths, and B-pillar positioning collaborating harmoniously. The rear three-quarter perspective of the Charger stands out as the best view by far. The side and front three-quarter perspectives appear a bit odd. The front fenders feel slightly off, seemingly too elevated and insufficiently long. The previous Challenger achieved ideal proportions, with those front fenders being long and low.
The newly designed Charger’s recessed LED headlights seem straight from a concept vehicle, and I love the nostalgic Fratzog three-pointed logo, reintroduced with LED illumination. It’s unfortunate that the gas-powered Charger forgoes the front aero pass-through featured on the electric variant, known as the R-Wing. The gas-engine Sixpack incorporates a hood bulge to accommodate the turbo-six engine. The heat extractor also has Sixpack engraved into the vent.
Inside the contemporary Charger presents a mixed experience. The standout feature is the appealing textured plastic that spans from the front door panel across the dashboard. It includes backlighting with inset LEDs, part of the Attitude Adjustment system, which is an actual line item on the car’s sticker price. While it appears sleek in photos, in reality, it looks and feels like low-grade hard plastic. The plastic covering the rear of the front high-back seats appears even cheaper visually and to the touch. To add insult to injury, these are the optional performance seats, costing $1,150. The pistol grip shifter adds a nostalgic touch against the modern 16.0-inch digital gauge cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The latter runs Stellantis’ user-friendly Uconnect 5.0 system, but I found it to be strangely glitchy, with CarPlay failing to load multiple times. The interface lagged, and that’s without addressing the incidents of the car freezing while driving three times within a short testing period due to a body control module software issue.
I initially thought that the jagged movement of the digital speedometer, giving it a mechanical appearance, was a software hiccup since the tachometer moved smoothly. Still, a Dodge representative confirmed that this was an intentional design choice. Someone also deemed it fitting for the digital speedometer needle to resemble a lightning bolt in this gas-powered vehicle. Additionally, the touch-sensitive climate control buttons come with haptic feedback, giving a vibration to confirm when the “button” has been activated.
All of this comes before considering that it exceeds 17 feet in length; you feel as though you’re sitting low and cannot comfortably fit three passengers across in the cramped rear. The packaging is a mess due to it being built on an all-new platform, STLA Large, shared with the electric Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S, which is now rebranded as STLA ONE, and must accommodate a gas powertrain, an electric powertrain, and an extended-range electric powertrain. The fact that this hefty hatchback boasts 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 38.5 cubic feet with the second row collapsed, is quite impressive and practical.
Driving the 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack
The Charger R/T receives a 3.0-liter turbo-six that generates 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque due to 22 psi of boost. The tested Scat Pack features the High-Output variation, which boosts the power and runs 30 psi through 54-mm Garrett GT2054 turbochargers, resulting in an output of 550 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission available is an eight-speed automatic, with all-wheel drive standard; however, a disconnect feature and line lock option allow burnouts with a simple button press. This is still America, after all.
The high-output six achieves a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds, a quarter-mile duration of 12.2 seconds, and a maximum velocity of 177 mph. It’s worth mentioning that the last-generation V8-powered Scat Pack delivered only 485 hp, 475 lb-ft of torque, and in standard non-wide-body configuration, managed a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds.
The new Scat Pack and its turbo-six, a true gem of an engine, offer a mixed experience overall. The engine emits a pleasant sound whether idling, on a cold start with the electronic dumps open, and definitely when at full throttle. It resembles an American 2JZ with a hint of N54 BMW growl.
From a standstill, the turbos spool instantaneously and the power delivers an exhilarating punch. Lag is virtually nonexistent here. In fact, the engine revs rise so rapidly that engaging the paddle shifters often leads to reaching the limiter because the paddles shift too slowly. When left to handle itself, the transmission executes shifts swiftly and smoothly. Manual shifting becomes chaos and incredibly frustrating to the extent that I gave up trying.
The ride is firm, bordering on excessively firm for a hefty vehicle. This Dodge Charger revival in Scat Pack form isn’t a comfortable highway cruiser, but the adaptive dampers prevent it from becoming jittery over bumpy Midwest roads.
The harsh reality is that this vehicle weighs 4,865 pounds in Scat Pack trim, and you feel every bit of that weight at all times. There’s no escaping this heft, and no extraordinary feats of engineering, like those from Rivian or various German manufacturers, can disguise this.
In a review of a Dodge Charger, especially a Hemi-equipped model, it would usually be customary to mention some sort of jaw-dropping fuel economy issue. That won’t be the case today. Despite its robust power output, the Scat Pack with the high-output turbo-six has EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. No Charger or Challenger powered by a Hellcat or 392 approached those numbers. This Scat Pack averaged 18.4 mpg over 282 miles of mixed suburban driving.
Verdict
The 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack has a starting price of $59,685, including a staggering $1,995 destination charge. The After Dark blue model I evaluated came with the $4,995 Customer Preferred Package 22B, which added a range of features from ventilated front seats and heated rear seats to a head-up display and power-operated rear liftgate, in addition to the $1,150 High Performance Seat Package, $1,295 Blacktop Package, and $1,195 for the 20-inch wheels, bringing the total to an astounding $68,320. The original Challenger Hellcat retailed for about $60,000 while the original Charger Hellcat was roughly $6,000 more.
In April, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear stated to The Drive, “It’s way too early” to label the latest Charger as a sales failure, and “I’m still excited. I’m still bullish on this car.” McAlear reasoned that “I think it offers something that no one else sees coming in the industry, and it revitalizes some mundane car segments that there aren’t many of left.” He isn’t entirely wrong.
The four-door 2026 Dodge Charger is navigating an uncertain territory.
Nothing on the streets resembles the new Charger. The high-output turbo-six might become an iconic engine if given the chance. Those who live by “Mopar or no car” might hesitate to give this a fair shake, but they could be holding biases. Kids find this vehicle cool, and inherently, a muscle car involves compromises. Change can be challenging.
Stellantis provided The Drive with a 7-day loan of this vehicle for the purpose of writing this review.
2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Specs
| Base Price (Scat Pack) | $59,685 ($68,320) |
| Powertrain | 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6 | eight-speed automatic | all-wheel drive |
| Horsepower | 550 @ 6,200 rpm |
| Torque | 531 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Curb Weight | 4,865 pounds |
| Cargo Volume | 22.7 cubic feet behind second row | 38.0 cubic feet behind first row |
| 0-60 mph | 3.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 177 mph |
| EPA Fuel Economy | 16 mpg city | 23 highway | 19 combined |
| Score | 7.5/10 |
Quick Take
The 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack appears appealing, but the revival is facing a rocky start.
**2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Sixpack Review: Initial Impressions Indicate a Troubling Reboot**
The Dodge Charger has traditionally been a cornerstone in the American muscle car market, renowned for its robust performance, bold styling, and a rich legacy that captivates both enthusiasts and casual drivers. However, the 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Sixpack has generated a blend of anticipation and apprehension among fans as it seeks to revitalize the iconic model. Early impressions reveal that while there are several admirable features, there are also concerning signs that may forecast a difficult journey for this cherished vehicle.
**Performance and Powertrain**
At the core of the 2026 Charger Scat Pack Sixpack is an updated version of the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine, generating a notable 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. This powerhouse is mated to an enhanced eight-speed automatic transmission that pledges quicker shifts and better responsiveness. Nonetheless, early feedback indicates the driving experience may not meet the elevated expectations established by its forerunners. Some reviewers have pointed out a deficiency in the adrenaline-pumping excitement that prior models exuded, characterized by a subdued exhaust note and a less engaging throttle response.
**Styling and Design**
The exterior of the 2026 Charger Scat Pack Sixpack maintains the burly stance and aggressive lines that have become iconic to the Charger brand. However, the addition of new design features, such as a sleeker front fascia and updated LED lighting, has received divided opinions. While some applaud the updated aesthetics, others feel it deviates too far from the classic muscle car look. Inside, the cabin offers a mix of retro-inspired design elements and modern technology, but the overall material quality has drawn criticism, with some observers noting it feels less premium compared to rivals in the segment.
**Technology and Features**
Dodge has outfitted the 2026 Charger Scat Pack Sixpack with a range of advanced technology features, including a larger infotainment touchscreen, enhanced connectivity options, and a variety of driver-assistance systems. The Uconnect system continues to be user-friendly, yet some users have reported intermittent glitches and sluggish response times. Furthermore, while the inclusion of safety features is a positive development, purists contend that the emphasis on technology detracts from the raw driving experience that muscle car lovers seek.
**Driving Dynamics**
One of the most pressing concerns about the 2026 Charger Scat Pack Sixpack lies in its driving dynamics. Early impressions suggest that the car’s handling may not be as precise as anticipated, with some reviewers observing it has a tendency to roll during spirited cornering. The suspension setup, while agreeable for everyday driving, might not deliver the sporty feel that Scat Pack fans have come to expect. This could be a dealbreaker for buyers prioritizing track-worthy performance in their muscle cars.
**Conclusion**
The 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Sixpack is a bold endeavor to modernize a classic American muscle car, but initial reactions indicate that it may be struggling to achieve the right equilibrium between tradition and innovation. While there are undoubtedly aspects of the vehicle that will attract a fresh generation of drivers, the apprehensions regarding performance, aesthetics, and driving dynamics suggest that Dodge has work to do to regain the loyalty of its devoted base. As the automotive landscape continues to shift, it remains uncertain whether the Charger can retain its status as a muscle car icon or if it will falter amidst evolving consumer preferences.