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The 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus ditches the V8 for a powerful twin-turbo inline-six, delivering impressive horsepower and all-wheel-drive capability. Its performance-focused interior and advanced tech aim to continue the Charger's legacy.
Dodge Charger Scat Pack Review (2026): Specs & Verdict
Back to reviews2026August 26, 20268 min read2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus ReviewBy Roosevelt GistShould you buy the 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus?Buy the 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus if you are a true enthusiast who will use its performance and need the security of all-wheel drive but refuse to settle for a boring crossover. This is an investment to keep for the long haul to get your money's worth. If you're just looking for a stylish commuter, skip it; you'll be happier with something more efficient and less expensive.What you'll see in this video•Static walkaround of the 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus•Interior features and design, including seating and visibility•Discussion of the new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine•Examination of technology integration and safety features2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus quick factsMSRP$72,455Cargo23 cu ftSeating105 cu ft (four-door)DrivetrainStandard all-wheel drive, switches to rear-wheel drive at the push of a buttonEPA rating16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPGPowertrain3.0L SIXPACK High-Output twin-turbo inline-sixTrim testedScat Pack PlusWhat changedThe V8 engine is gone, replaced by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine. All-wheel drive is now standard on this model.Best forTrue enthusiasts who will use its performanceBuyers needing all-wheel drive security without a crossoverThose looking for a long-term investmentCross-shop ifLooking for a stylish commuterPrioritizing efficiency over performanceUnwilling to pay a premium for performanceAlright, let's have a talk. For years, the Dodge Charger has been the undisputed king of the American sedan, the last man standing with four doors and a big, rumbling V8 heart. It was a statement. It was a sound. For a lot of us, it was the dream car that could still haul the family. But times change, and the sounds from the factory are changing, too. The V8 is gone. I’ll say it again so it sinks in: the V8 is gone. In its place is something new, something different, and I recently got to put my hands on the 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus to see if the spirit of the thing is still alive. I want to be clear with you from the jump, just like I would with my own nephew looking to spend his hard-earned money: I haven't driven this car yet. This was a static walkaround at a media event. I couldn’t feel the pull of the engine, but I could sit in the seat, touch every surface, and get a real sense of what you’re getting for your money before you ever talk to a salesman.So let’s get right to what’s under that long, aggressive hood. It’s not a Hemi. It’s a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine that Dodge is calling the “Sixpack High-Output.” Now, I know what you’re thinking, and I was thinking it too. A six-cylinder? In a Scat Pack? But hold on, because the numbers don’t lie. This engine puts out a staggering 550 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. Let’s be real, that’s more power than a lot of the old V8s were making, and it’s being sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard on this model, and that’s a game-changer. It means all that power isn’t just for sunny days in Gardena, California; it’s usable and safe when the weather turns nasty on the streets of Camden, New Jersey. This isn’t just a muscle car anymore; it’s an all-weather performance machine. Dodge isn’t playing games with the hardware, either. You get real Brembo brakes to haul it down, a limited-slip differential to keep the power going where it needs to, and even track goodies like launch control and line lock. They even throw in a day at their performance driving school, which tells me they’re serious about owners learning how to handle this kind of capability.Slipping into the driver’s seat, you’re greeted by an interior that feels purposeful and modern. The model I examined had a sharp combination of carbon fiber and suede on the performance bucket seats, which felt snug and supportive. It’s a cockpit, not just a cabin. Once you’re settled in, a few things immediately stand out. For a car that sits this low and looks this mean, the forward visibility is surprisingly good. Looking through the windshield, you’re met with what I can honestly say is the clearest head-up display I’ve ever seen. It puts vital info right in your line of sight without being a distraction. The tech integration here is genuinely thoughtful. Flick on a turn signal, and a live camera feed of your blind spot pops up on the main screen. That’s not a gimmick; that’s a truly useful feature that can prevent a lot of headaches in traffic. I was also impressed by the inclusion of a drowsy-driver detection system, which is the kind of real-world safety feature a family can appreciate on a long road trip. Looking up, a massive fixed glass roof bathes the cabin in light, making it feel more open and spacious without the complexity or potential leaks of a movable sunroof.Now, here’s the honest part of the conversation, the things you need to check for yourself because your body isn’t my body. As I sat there, I noticed that on a bright day, the glare coming off the top of the dashboard was significant. It caused the reflection of the red accent stitching to appear on the inside of the windshield, right in my field of view. It was a minor annoyance, but an annoyance nonetheless. More importantly, from my specific seating position, the bottom of the rearview mirror assembly blocked a small but critical part of my forward-right line of sight. These are the kinds of personal fit issues that you only discover by spending time in the driver’s seat. I’m telling you this so you’ll remember to go to the dealership, sit in the car, adjust the seat and mirrors exactly how you’d have them, and really look around before you even think about signing a piece of paper.Let’s talk about the price of admission, because it’s not cheap. The model I looked at carried a sticker price of $72,455. That is a lot of car, but it is also a lot of money, and you need to know where it’s going. Part of it is going toward that incredible powertrain. The other part is going to the gas station. The official numbers are 16 miles per gallon in the city, 23 on the highway, for a combined average of 19 MPG. That’s the deal you make when you command 550 horsepower. You have to be honest with yourself about whether you can live with that week in and week out. This isn’t a car for someone whose daily life is a gentle commute in stop-and-go traffic. If that’s you, you’ll be paying a premium for performance you’ll never use and a fuel bill that will feel like a punishment. This car is for the person who needs the practicality of four doors and all-wheel drive but still has that fire in their belly, that desire for something that quickens the pulse.So, what’s the verdict? The 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus is a fascinating evolution. It proves that there is, indeed, life after the V8. The power is undeniable, and the addition of standard all-wheel drive makes it a more practical and versatile performance car than ever before. It’s a true year-round machine that can handle family duty and still deliver serious thrills. However, that capability comes at a steep price, both at the dealership and at the pump. My advice is this: Buy it if you are a true enthusiast who will actually use its performance. Buy it if you need the security of all-wheel drive but refuse to settle for a boring crossover. And most importantly, buy it to keep. This is an investment you make for the long haul to get your money’s worth. If you’re just looking for a stylish commuter, skip it. You’ll be much happier with something more efficient and less expensive. But if you fit that first description, do yourself a favor and go sit in one. Your decision will be made right there in the driver’s seat.I’m Roosevelt. Buckle up.By the Numbers: Official Specs from Dodge and the EPAEverything below comes straight from Dodge's published specifications and the EPA's fuel-economy listing for this car — not opinion, just the numbers you can check yourself before you walk into a dealership.Specification2026 Charger Scat PackEngine3.0L SIXPACK High-Output twin-turbo inline-sixHorsepower550 hpTorque531 lb-ftTransmission8-speed automaticDrivetrainStandard all-wheel drive, switches to rear-wheel drive at the push of a button0–60 mph3.9 seconds (Dodge target)Quarter-mile12.2 secondsEPA fuel economy16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG, premium gasolinePassenger volume105 cu ft (four-door)Luggage volume23 cu ftBody stylesTwo-door and four-doorHow the lineup shakes out: The Scat Pack's High-Output engine makes 550 horsepower, and Dodge prices it as the most powerful car you can buy under $55,000. The R/T below it runs the Standard-Output version of the same engine at 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft, with a targeted 0–60 of 4.6 seconds. If you're cross-shopping, the electric Daytona Scat Pack tops the range at 670 horsepower.Questions People Ask About the 2026 Charger Scat PackIs the 2026 Dodge Charger still a V8?No. The V8 is gone. The gas Scat Pack and R/T run Dodge's twin-turbo 3.0L SIXPACK inline-six — 550 horsepower in the Scat Pack, 420 in the R/T. A V8 is no longer offered.How fast is the 2026 Charger Scat Pack?Dodge targets 0–60 mph in 3.9 seconds and a 12.2-second quarter-mile, with standard all-wheel drive.What gas mileage does the Charger Scat Pack get?The EPA rates it at 16 city, 23 highway, 19 combined MPG on premium gasoline. Budget for the fuel bill — it's a performance car first.Is the 2026 Charger gas or electric?Both. Gas models (R/T and Scat Pack) use the SIXPACK engine; the Daytona Scat Pack is the electric version with up to 670 horsepower.Sources and specificationsFirst-hand road test and walkaround by Roosevelt GistManufacturer specifications (OEM)EPA fuel economy / range estimatesNHTSA and IIHS safety dataVehicle examined August 26, 2026. Pricing and EPA figures reflect the date of testing and can change.See our testing methodology and editorial standards.Planning to own this vehicle?COD is building a directory of dealer-authorized service and parts offers, city by city. No offers are published yet — see typical cost ranges for the services this vehicle will need, and tell us your city so we know where to launch first.See typical service cost rangesRequest dealer pricing on a new carShare: