2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack Review: Is This the Future of Muscle Cars?

Quick take: The 2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack review examines Dodge's bold return to gasoline performance with a twin-turbo inline-six, delivering strong acceleration, selectable RWD theatrics, and a modern muscle-car package that's as usable as it is loud.

A new kind of muscle: the Sixpack powertrain

Dodge replaces the expected V8 shorthand with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six branded Sixpack tuned to produce roughly 550 hp and 531 lb-ft in Scat Pack form.

The motor is paired to an 8-speed automatic and comes standard with all-wheel drive for traction. Crucially, the system allows a switch to rear-wheel drive, giving drivers the classic Charger theatrics when they want them.

How it drives: weight, chassis, and attitude

On the road, the Sixpack feels like a modern muscle car that learned a few sports-car lessons.

The multi-link front and fully independent rear suspension tame body motion much better than past Chargers, and the AWD system masks the car's weight off the line.

Even so, this remains a large car: steering weighs in with authority rather than razor precision, but that suits the Charger's personality.

The selectable driving modes Comfort, Sport, and Custom alter throttle mapping and transmission behavior dramatically.

Put it in Sport or Custom and the throttle response becomes sharp, the gearbox holds gears longer, and the car feels properly urgent. On fast B-roads, the chassis tracks predictably, and the Sixpack's midrange torque makes passing effortless.

"While the Sixpack feels enormous … you get the sense this size finally has the grunt to match."

Design & interior: modern lines, practical layout

Visually, the Sixpack borrows the EV Charger's silhouette but trades its electric cues for traditional muscle details: a bulging hood to clear the turbo inline-six, a conventional grille treatment, and twin exhausts replacing silent EV trim.

The liftback layout delivers useful cargo space, so this is a Charger that works as a daily driver as easily as it entertains on weekends.

Inside, Dodge balances digital displays with tactile controls. The cockpit is driver-focused, with performance menus and large screens providing necessary telemetry without overcomplicating the experience. Materials and fit are competitive for the segment, and the cabin's generous dimensions make the Sixpack comfortable for longer drives.

Market relevance: why this Charger matters

The 2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack review matters because it represents a strategic pivot. After the EV-only Charger revealed a path that many fans resisted, Dodge's Sixpack reintroduces internal combustion with modern engineering.

Shedding a significant chunk of weight versus the EV variant makes the chassis feel livelier, and the selectable RWD mode preserves the brand's burnt-rubber DNA.

For shoppers who value theatrical performance, daily usability, and a nod to heritage, the Sixpack provides a compelling package.

It's not a nostalgic rehash; it's a contemporary take on muscle that acknowledges emissions, efficiency, and tractability while still delivering spectacle.

The trade-offs and final assessment

No car is perfect. The Sixpack's straight-six delivers strong, sensible performance, but it doesn't reproduce the Hemi's low-frequency rumble that many Dodge purists crave.

The Charger's size and weight remain evident when the road narrows, and drivers seeking razor-sharp steering will find it wanting compared with smaller performance cars.

Still, taken as a whole, the 2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack is a purposeful, modern muscle car: fast, usable, and unapologetically bold.

If you want contemporary performance with the option to light up the rear tires and carry four passengers in comfort, this Charger deserves your attention.