2026 Dodge Charger R/T Review: The Sweet Spot

Stowe, VT - Third time is the charm. This cliché may hold a lot of water when it comes to the new Dodge Charger. First introduced as the Daytona Scat Pack over a year ago, the 630 hp all-electric large sedan was very impressive during our first drive. But that car was always going to be a niche product with a limited market. What we were really waiting for was the gas-powered, SIXPACK variants.  

In late 2025, we got our first taste of a SIXPACK car, the high-performance Charger Scat Pack. As the SIXPACK name designates, this is a gasoline-powered Scat Pack, housing a High Output 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six producing an impressive 550 horsepower.

The new entry-level R/T joins the lineup this year with less power, fewer options, and a lower price point. Offered as a two- or four-door, there are features available to customers not previously offered on the Scat Pack models, like 18-inch wheels, manually adjustable seats, smaller driver information screens, and regular brakes. This allows those who want the style, space, and technology of the 2026 Charger, but don’t necessarily care for all the performance, a more affordable option.

Exterior Style:

The Charger remains a big car, measuring 206.6-inches (5,248 mm) in length, 79.9-inches (2,030 mm) in width, and 59.2-inches (1,504 mm) in height. Dodge calls the design of the new generation Charger heritage inspired and not retro. Although this might be a case of semantics, we do see the brand’s point, to a degree at least. The car looks like a Charger with the usual styling cues present like a long hood as well as signature headlights and taillights. But the six-pack hood bulge and liftgate rear end are departures from classic Chargers of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

All versions, whether two-door or four-door, feature a widebody that’s some 2-inches (50 mm) wider than the previous generation. The front-end is a mass of grilles and vents to keep the highly boosted turbocharged engine nice and cool. To launch, there will be six wheel choices available for the R/T in 18- or 20-inch diameters.

As a Sixpack powered car, the engine under the hood remains a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6. But in the R/T, it produces what Dodge refers to as standard output, coming in at a still potent 420 hp and 469 lb-ft of torque. Folks from the brand also pointed out multiple times it has the most standard power for a muscle car, which basically means more than the Mustang.

The R/T includes standard all-wheel drive, a 3.45 rear gear ratio, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Dodge claims the car can run from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, completed the quarter-mile in less than 13-seconds, and hit a top speed of 127 mph (204 km/h).

The 2026 Dodge Charger R/T comes standard with a multi-link suspension all around as well as a multi-disc wet clutch central transfer case and a mechanical LSD at the rear. Normally, the standard tires are 245/55R18 tires, but my tester has the optional Performance Handling Group that includes 275/40ZR20 tires. Also included in that upgrade is launch control, a custom drive mode, shift indicator, Brembo six-piston fixed front calipers, a performance suspension, a rear spoiler, and line lock.

That last feature, line lock, may seem odd in a car with standard all-wheel drive. But, at the touch of a button, the Charger can be put into a rear-wheel drive mode, disconnecting all power to the front wheels. As Dodge puts it, the Charger is RWD when you want it, AWD when you need it.

Despite having the Performance Handling Group, the ride quality of the 2026 Dodge Charger R/T is still quite good. The steering has good weight, and the car remains firmly planted to the road at all times. This means it doesn’t have the softest, most supple ride characteristics, but it also isn’t jarring when encountering bumps. It’s very European in how it deals with imperfections quickly, without the entire body structure echoing the impact from a pothole.

Inside, there are two seat styles to choose from, a traditional seat with a separate headrest, or a high-back seat with an integrated headrest. Up front, passengers have 39.1-inches (992 mm) of headroom and 42.6-inches (1,081 mm) of legroom. Those in the rear get 36.9-inches (938 mm) of headroom and 37.2-inches (945 mm) of legroom which seems a bit on the low end for such a large car. The cargo area is generous though thanks to the liftgate set-up, swallowing 22.2 cu ft (628 L) of cargo with the seats up, or 37.4 cu ft (1,059 L) cargo when the rear seats are folded.

Interior Style and Quality:

Inside, the style of the 2026 Dodge Charger R/T doesn’t stray far from we first experienced in the all-electric Daytona Scat Pack over a year ago. The door panels are full of visual interest and textures, which are accentuated with the optional ambient lighting. The squared-off steering wheel remains as well, which is a big trend in the industry right now. The entry level R/T comes with a 10.25-inch customizable digital driver information screen, while upgraded versions get a larger 16-inch screen. All models though come with a 12.3-inch infotainment system.

I still like the look of the Charger’s interior. The materials for the most part are quality and there’s lot of visual interest, like the optional red demonic seats. Many aspects in the Charger R/T may look over-the-top in other cars, but it fits the Dodge aura perfectly.

Tech and Safety:

Standard on the 2026 Dodge Charger R/T are items like a remote starter, dual-zone automatic climate control, Alpine 6-speaker system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which are part of the Uconnect5 infotainment software. Unconnect5 is easily one of my favorite infotainment software systems on sale today.

Stepping up to the R/T Plus model adds features including eight‑way power seating up front, the 64‑color ambient lighting, the 16‑inch digital cluster, a power liftgate, a head‑up display and more. The sound system is increased to 9-speakers, but if that’s not enough, there’s an 18-speaker Alpine Pro set-up as well.

The 2026 Dodge Charger R/T 2-Door starts at a price of $51,990 (all prices include destination chargers) in the United States. That puts it about $3,000 higher than the entry-level Ford Mustang GT with the V8, but the Charger is a much larger, more practical vehicle. Go crazy with the option check lists, and the Charger R/T Premium 2-Door gets up to $64,360.

The 2026 Dodge Charger R/T 4-Door starts at a price of $53,990 in the United States. Fully loaded with most options selected, the Charger R/T Premium 4-Door comes in at $64,865. That figure still under cuts the starting price of a similarly sized, all-wheel drive sedan powered by a turbocharged inline-six engine, the 2026 BMW 540i xDrive.