Text by Tom Appel
2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus
Class: Premium Large Car
Country of manufacture: Canada
Seating capacity: 5
Color: After Dark
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | B+ |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B |
| Tall Guy | A- |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 550-horsepower 3.0-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 6-cylinder |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles Driven: 191
Observed fuel economy: 21.8 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 16/23/19 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Base price: $56,995 not including $1995 (destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($695), Customer Preferred package ($4995), Highback Performance Seat Package ($1150), Blacktop Package ($1295), 20-inch wheel and tire package ($1195)
Audio-System Brand
Alpine
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Surplus of power, better handling than previous-generation Charger
The good: Roomy and comfortable cabin, handy liftback design
The not so good: May ride too firmly for some folks
Review
Because of its legacy name, and perhaps in part because of its familiar shape, the Charger has been tasked by Dodge with keeping the brand’s muscle-car flame alive. In recent years, that mission was accomplished in large part by the installation of large V8 engines, all part of the “Hemi” family, under the hood of the car. Not only did the Charger look the part, when properly equipped, its performance was, indeed, in keeping with muscle-car tradition.
Charger History
New for 1966, the Charger was made available its debut year with the 426-cubic-inch Hemi, a racing-developed engine that performed especially well at high speeds. The huge 7.0-liter V8 was rated at 425 horsepower, and quickly became the stuff of legend. Note that an even larger 440-inch engine (7.2-liters) was also offered in the Charger, though it never enjoyed the reputation of the 426 Hemi.
Dodge would go on to cram hemi engines into a number of models, creating a family of muscles cars models, including the Challenger and Coronet.
Sadly, for a number of reasons, the muscle-car era ended, and the Charger name was applied to several different vehicles, none of which was especially sporty, and none of which was fitted with any sort of Hemi engine. At least not until 2006…
Charger Returns
Skip ahead to 2006, and the rollout of a new, rear drive, Charger, which, evoking brand heritage, stirred up memories of fast cars, and a time before high-insurance rates and unleaded gas. A 2-door Challenger would join the Charger on Dodge showroom floors, and together the cars kept the Dodge name on magazine covers and on online message boards.
2024 Redesign
Stellantis completely redesigned the Charger for the 2024 model year, moving the sporty sedan to all-new architecture, and dropping the companion Challenger along the way. The new Charger, now offered in 2- and 4-door form and equipped with a handy rear hatch, rides on the parent company’s “STLA Large” underpinnings, which it will share with future Alfa Romeo models, along with other Stellantis products.
But the big eighth-generation Charger news came as heresy to many long-time muscle-car aficionados. For 2024, the Charger was offered only with an electric drivetrain. And while gasoline engines returned to the Charger for 2025, the No Hemi V8s were offered.
Engines
Instead, the non-electric Charger was offered with one of two turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engines, each of which packed a serious horsepower punch—in most cases out performing the Hemi engines of yore. The new “Hurricane” engines, which were also offered in Jeep and Ram products, were also more fuel efficient than the V8s they replaced.
Charger sales
Shoppers demurred, however, and Charger sales suffered. Have a look:
Calander Year Sales
- 2022 78,000
- 2023 76,000
- 2024 35,000
- 2025 9600
- 2026 8800 (through Q3)
The shame here is that the current-generation Charger is easily the best yet, and despite the absence of a V8 engine, is among the best performing.
Electric Charger
For 2026, the Charger is again offered in gasoline or electric form. The two EV trim levels, dubbed Daytona, range in price from $61,990 to $68,985. All electric Chargers come with a pair of electric motors rated at a combined 630 horsepower. The Charger Daytona comes with a 94-kWh battery pack, standard AWD, and can be had with 2 or 4 doors. We’ll talk more about the Daytona is a separate review.
Prices and Trim Levels
Gas-powered Chargers are offered in four trim levels, each available with 2 or 4 doors. Prices as follows (2-door/4-door):
- R/T ($51,900-$53,990)
- R/T Plus ($56,990-$58,990)
- Scat Pack ($56,990-$58,990)
- Scat pack Plus ($61,990-$63,990)
Hurricane Engines
The Charger R/T is powered by a 420-horsepower version of the Hurricane six, while Scat Pack examples are fitted with the High Output Hurricane mill, which is rated at 550 horsepower. And like the electric Daytonas, all gas-powered Chargers come with standard AWD. Note that the High Output engine requires premium gas.
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2026 Charger Scat Pack Plus in After Dark (color) and fitted with the optional Highback Performance Seat Package. Including destination charge, our test car came to $68,320.
Room and Comfort
Chargers of recent vintage have boasted plenty of passenger space, and this newest generation of the model continues to offer plenty of room for four adults. The optional sport seats complicate somewhat entry ease to the front seating row, though this is likely only an issue for larger drivers. Once situated, the seats themselves are comfortable and supportive, and likely excellent for long drives.
Controls and Connectivity
Controls come mostly via the Stellantis Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which works well and feels familiar. Thankfully, climate controls are comprised of real physical switchgear, and are simple to use. The Scat Pack’s standard 9-speaker Pioneer-brand audio system is fine, serving up decent sound reproduction and plenty of clean power.
Cabin
The Charger cabin is modern and feels upscale. The textured door inserts, ambient lighting, and classy double seat stitching give this sporty Dodge a decidedly premium ambiance.
Ride and Handling
Underway the Charger fulfills the edicts of its sporty charter, with firm, meaty feeling steering, and handling that is much improved versus the previous generation car. We especially appreciate the quick-responding, strong feeling brakes, and controlled lean in corners.
Ride quality may prove an issue for shoppers not fully committed to the Charger’s performance mission. We found the Dodge’s suspensions setup, with its sporty bias, firm, but comfortable, in the European tradition, but some folks may find there to be an excessive amount of road feel.
Power and Performance
The star of the Scat Pack show is, of course, the excellent Hurricane H.O. engine. The strong six delivers outstanding straight-line power, as well as near immediate response when tasked for passing of merging muscle. The engine is quiet is regular use, possibly too quiet for traditional muscle-car fans. We find the sounds from the engine and exhaust refined and classy, attributes which may actually turn off some shoppers.
Fuel economy
Also impressive is our fuel economy. Despite the engine’s power, and a week of aggressive driving by the Consumer Guide team, we saw nearly 22 mpg, which s, frankly, amazing.
Cargo Space
And if practical muscle is your thing, you’ll appreciate the Charger’s large rear hatch. It’s cool to think that your muscle machine can also, if needed, accommodate a hot-water heater.
Value
We like the new Charger, and have no qualms with the new 6-cylinder engine. That said, slow sales suggest that many Charger intenders still want a V8 engine, and, good news, one is rumored to be on the way for 2028. But if you can live without a V8, the new charger has a lot to offer, including excellent road manners, and surprising fuel economy.
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2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus Pictures
Click below for enlarged images
