Over the last 10-plus years, Dodge has taken fans of its vehicles on a roller coaster ride that’s barreled through different emotions. It’s plunged from the heights of Hellcat excitement to the lows of both the Challenger and Charger being killed off in 2023. The Charger Daytona returning for 2024 as an EV was a gut-wrenching loop in the track that many didn’t see coming. The 2026 model year brings an internal-combustion engine back to the Charger lineup — and no, it’s not a Hemi. We recently tested the standard-output (S.O.) version of the SIXPACK in a 2026 Dodge Charger R/T Plus 4-Door, which sent us through a series of different feelings.
ADDITION … AND SUBTRACTION
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 20 years since Dodge resurrected the Charger nameplate. At the time, many people were baffled, outraged, or a little of both over the fact that Dodge turned one of its most beloved models into a sedan. Flash forward to the present day and, once again, the Charger is available with four doors, but now it also is available as a two-door, replacing the Challenger.
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Currently, there is no Hemi option for either Charger configuration, but there’s reason to believe one is coming eventually. Ram didn’t offer the 5.7-liter Hemi in its 1500 truck for the 2025 model year, but after Tim Kuniskis became Ram’s CEO, the popular V-8 joined the 2026 engine lineup. The TRX came roaring out of extinction for 2027 with more power than ever: 777 horses and 680 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7, 392, and Hellcat are available in the 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee line of high-performance street trucks. Even though Jeep said 2024 was the last year of the 392-powered Wrangler, then said the same thing about 2025, the mid-range Hemi lives on in the Wrangler.
THE PERFECT STORM?
Clearly, the Hemi — in all its forms — is far from dead. It would be truly unbelievable if at least one wasn’t offered in the new Charger. For now, the only gas engine you can get in the Charger is the SIXPACK, aka a Hurricane 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six., which is available in two states of tune. The mildest of those is under the hood of the 2026 Charger R/T. Compared to the Hemi-powered 2023 R/T, what the newest model gives away in displacement, it makes up for with sheer output. Spinning two 50mm turbos that blow in up to 22 pounds of boost, the S.O. SIXPACK unleashes 420 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 468 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. An eight-speed automatic channels that through standard all-wheel drive, but don’t worry — that can be deactivated for RWD fun.
ADD IT ALL UP
That “Plus” makes a big difference in terms of content compared to the base R/T, adding features such as a power-adjustable steering column, head-up display, wireless charging pad, heated steering wheel with shift paddles, 16-inch digital gauge cluster, 12.3-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 and navigation, 360-degree camera system, and power rear “hidden hatch.” Prices for the Charger R/T Plus 4-Door start at $57,685. With its After Dark paint, Blacktop Package, Performance Handling Group, glass roof, and 18-speaker Alpine audio system, our test car came to us with a window sticker that showed a total price of $67,160, but that doesn’t include the $495 for the Mopar Gloss Red strobe stripes that clearly had been added.
WISHING FOR LESS
It’s a good thing the Hurricane is so potent because it has a lot more to move down the road. The 2026 Charger R/T Plus 4-Door may look sleek and lean, but it’s approximately five inches wider and nearly six inches longer than the 2023 Charger R/T. Those larger dimensions contribute to its 4,741-pound curb weight — an increase of almost 500 pounds.
The Charger R/T Plus feels as large as it is on paper. Its 17-foot length left little room between the rear bumper and my garage door. The Charger’s heft was undeniable when I threw it into broad, sweeping curves. No matter which drive mode was engaged, the steering felt too heavy.
ON THE PLUS SIDE
Even in its final model year, the previous-generation Charger had a dated interior. Our media loaner showed the latest version is thoroughly modern, offering digital gauges, a large (if periodically slow) infotainment touchscreen, consistent wireless Apple CarPlay connection, and a practical mix of physical and digital controls.
On straight roads and the open highway, the Charger’s slow steering was beneficial, making the car feel stable, planted, and locked into an invisible groove. That combined with the surprisingly livable Performance Suspension turned the Charger into a great cruiser.
LOOKING FOR MORE
Ultimately, it seems that for everything in the Charger’s “Plus” column, there’s a corresponding shortcoming in the “Minus” column. The 121-inch wheelbase means there’s a lot of second-row legroom; however, I’m five-foot-ten and didn’t quite have enough headroom back there. Yes, with EPA figures of 17 city, 26 highway, and 20 combined mpg, the S.O. SIXPACK is slightly more fuel-efficient than the 5.7 Hemi, but it lacks the aural satisfaction of a V-8. It cranks out better output figures, but it needs to because the new Charger is so much heavier. The biggest downside of all is that no matter how hard I let the 2026 Dodge Charger R/T Plus’ engine blow, I kept waiting for a rush of excitement, an addictive thrill, a satisfying fierceness that never came. You can see everything I’m talking about, good and bad, in the video review below.
Click above and watch our full video review on YouTube!
