2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack Scat Pack: Putting Agility to the Test

Knoxville, Tennessee—Since its introduction into the electric arena, the Dodge Charger Daytona hasn’t exactly met expectations. Some will argue that the battery-powered American muscle car targets a more upscale audience, on top of being less practical than an SUV. However, there’s another explanation for those disappointing sales, and it lies under the hood.

You see, the Daytona may be a monster of instant torque and power, but it lacks everything that characterizes a vehicle featuring an internal combustion engine—the throaty soundtrack, the vibrations of the engine and chassis, and even the way the body reacts (thanks to lower weight). All of this can tip the scales when comparing the benefits of electric propulsion versus those of an ICE-powered car.

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For our first contact with the new 2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack, the company shockingly decided to put its new toy on one of the twistiest roads in North America. That’s right: in an effort to showcase the agility of the eighth-generation Charger, Dodge invited auto journalists to the world-famous Tail of the Dragon—a mountain road connecting North Carolina to Tennessee that packs 318 corners into 11 miles (17.7 km). The location has become a mecca for thrill-seeking motorcyclists and car drivers all over.

An Enlightening Detour

As fate would have it, our group of Canadian journalists missed the first run on the legendary Route 129. A glitch in the TomTom navigation system caused by a construction cone along the way  redirected the three Canadian crews—which all hit the road before the organizers spotted the error—toward a much longer and higher-elevation detour.

The Charger Sixpack Scat Pack models being tested were therefore subjected to a winding route partially covered in snow. With all-season tires, let’s just say the driving exercise became dicey on more than one occasion.

Fortunately, the standard all-wheel drive system on all coupe variants proved extremely helpful in keeping this heavy American machine planted on the pavement. Later, in dry conditions, the Charger Sixpack showed off its agility thanks to that same AWD system, the front axle biting eagerly into the pavement during the many hairpin turns of this spaghetti-like road.

After a quick lunch, we got back behind the wheel, and this time the navigation system led us to the right place. The problem, however, is that a car as imposing as the Charger—now two inches wider than the previous Charger Scat Pack Widebody—also carries a significant amount of weight. Granted, the Sixpack is 436 kg lighter than its electric counterpart, but it still tips the scales at 2,184 kg, nearly 100 kg more than the old Charger Scat Pack.

Approaching those hairpin turns required some restraint. The Charger Sixpack is three times more powerful than a Mazda MX-5, and yet, it’s the latter we would have preferred to drive through the 11 miles of that famous mountain pass. This doesn’t make the Charger Sixpack an uninteresting car—far from it—but when it comes to highly dynamic driving, there are better options on the market.

Moreover, this series of tight bends exposed another issue: the lack of support from the front seats. Their design isn’t bad—the buckets are comfortable with multiple power adjustments—but more lateral support would be appreciated. On the other hand, rear passenger space is more generous than ever.

No V8 Yet, But…

The return of the HEMI V8 in Ram pickups has many enthusiasts wondering about the possibility of reviving the V8 in the new Charger. If the brand’s engineers can fit a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 into the Charger Drag Pak that was recently unveiled at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, there is certainly hope that the same formula could apply to a model designed for the general public, not just drag-racing diehards.

For now, muscle car shoppers get the most powerful version of the Hurricane engine. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six produces 550 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque in this application. The new Sixpack is paired with the same eight-speed automatic transmission as the old Charger, with all-wheel drive included as standard.

Purists will still be able to do burnouts, by the way. Oh, and in addition to the Hurricane H.O. (High Output), the car can also be ordered with a Hurricane S.O. (Standard Output) tuned to 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque. Standard across the entire Sixpack lineup is the ability to disconnect the front axle in Sport mode to help improve fuel economy when conditions allow it.

What is clear after this first test drive on American roads is that the Hurricane H.O. has nothing to envy from the naturally aspirated HEMI V8s, at least on paper. In a straight line, the Charger Sixpack Scat Pack is a beast.

What We Like…

• The ICE variant of the Charger will undoubtedly rekindle enthusiasm among the public, and that momentum will only grow when a V8 eventually finds its way between the front wheels.
• The design of the Charger Sixpack, whether with two or four doors, is a complete success. Plus, the fact that Dodge continues to offer the EV variant with both body styles gives performance fans more choice.
• The throaty soundtrack of the inline-six is a key part of the package; even in Auto mode, the car makes itself heard, both inside and out.
• How can such a large car be so agile? Bless all-wheel drive.

What We Dislike…

• The sound is sometimes reminiscent of old video games from the 80s— slightly artificial around 4,000 rpm.
• The very high seating position feels weird and the rear-view mirror placed squarely in the middle of the windshield reduces forward visibility.
• The front seats should offer more lateral support for twisty roads.
• Downshifts with the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters aren’t as sharp as those of a dual-clutch unit.
• The steering wheel looks great, but it feels bulky. More ergonomic options exist on the market.

Pricing

How will the public respond to the return of a gas-powered muscle car following Dodge’s first foray into full electrification? In Canada, the 2026 Charger Sixpack R/T will start at an MSRP of $59,995 for the coupe or $62,995 for the sedan. A $7,995 R/T Plus package will also be available.

As for the Charger Sixpack Scat Pack, the MSRP jumps to $69,995 for the coupe or $72,995 for the sedan. And just like the R/T, the optional Scat Pack Plus package adds a substantial $7,495 to the price.

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