2026 Dodge Charger

Following a brief hiatus after the discontinuation of the previous generation of the Dodge Charger in 2023, a gas engine option has returned to the Dodge Charger in 2026. After spending a couple of years exclusively available as the Charger Daytona EV (which we review separately), a more affordable Charger with a 6-cylinder gas engine should have more mainstream appeal. Since it’s available in both 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan body styles, it effectively replaces both the Charger and Challenger of yore. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, two outputs are available, and it has interior space you can actually use, making this a practical muscle car.

On-Sale Date

We expect the gas-powered 2026 Dodge Charger to arrive in U.S. dealerships in early 2026. It will be offered alongside the Dodge Charger Daytona EV.

Engine and Transmission

The 2026 Dodge Charger is powered by the Hurricane 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine, available with a standard output and a high output. Although it doesn’t have the same sound or grit as the Hemi V8 options in the old Charger, we’ve been impressed with the Hurricane engine in Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs.

The entry-level R/T trim produces 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque, while the high-output Scat Pack version makes 550 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque. Those are better performance specs than the old Charger R/T and Charger Scat Pack, respectively. All of the above use an 8-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard across the board. For a purer muscle car experience, the Charger has on-demand rear-wheel drive (RWD), bringing the tire-smoking fun.

The 2026 Dodge Charger starts at $51,990 for the base R/T trim with the two-door coupe body. The high-performance Scat Pack begins at $56,990. The four-door sedan body is a $2,000 option for both trims.

If the pricing of the gas-powered Charger seems a little steep, it actually isn’t far off from the V8-powered 2023 Dodge Charger R/T, which had a lower output and no all-wheel drive option. Here’s hoping Dodge comes up with a milder and more affordable GT or SXT variant. In the small world of American muscle cars, the Charger is priced similarly to the Ford Mustang GT, which keeps the V8 faith.

Before buying a Charger, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Dodge Charger resale value historically varies, with higher-performance variants holding their value better than the more mainstream versions. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.