The all-new 2026 Dodge Charger lineup is a major departure from everything we’ve known about Chargers for years, and if you read my recent Scat Pack Plus review, you already know how far Dodge has pushed this car forward. This time around, I spent time in the four-door Charger R/T Blacktop, and while it shares the same new platform and overall design, this is a very different animal. The R/T is the base trim in the lineup, but my tester has the $1,295 Blacktop Package, which we’ll get into further down.
Just for a quick history lesson, the Dodge Charger nameplate dates back to 1966, when it debuted as a sleek fastback muscle car built on the Coronet platform, quickly becoming one of the most recognizable performance cars of the era. The second-generation Charger, introduced in 1968, cemented its place in automotive history with its aggressive styling and big V8 power, becoming a staple of drag strips, NASCAR, and Hollywood. After fading out in the late 1970s and briefly returning in the 1980s as a front-wheel-drive coupe, the Charger name was revived in 2006 as a full-size, rear-wheel-drive four-door sedan, blending muscle car heritage with modern practicality.
Over the next two decades, it evolved into one of the last true American muscle sedans, culminating in high-horsepower HEMI-powered models before Dodge transitioned the Charger into its all-new 2026 generation, now featuring advanced twin-turbo inline-six engines and a dramatically reimagined platform. At the same time, Dodge introduced an all-electric version of the Charger, marking a bold shift for the brand while still aiming to preserve its performance identity. Built on a new architecture designed to support both internal combustion and electric powertrains, the next-generation Charger lineup blends traditional muscle car attitude with modern technology, offering buyers a choice between turbocharged six-cylinder power and fully electric propulsion as Dodge moves into a new era.
On the outside, the R/T I have in White Knuckle exterior paint looks fantastic. It’s sleek with sharp lines, and although it looks like a traditional sedan, it’s actually a four-door hatchback.
The hood is raised in the middle with a vent for heat extraction, partially blacked out, and branded “Sixpack.” The roof on this one is completely blacked out, all the badges and emblems are dark, and it has 20-inch by 9-inch aluminum wheels and dual exhaust with black tips.
Personally, I think a rear spoiler would complete the look, but this is a really sharp car.
This Charger R/T comes with the 3.0-liter twin-turbo “Sixpack” inline-six engine in standard-output form, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It also features stop/start technology, which can be disabled with the push of a button.
While the high-output version in the Scat Pack gets all the headlines, this one is tuned for everyday performance, delivering strong acceleration without going over the top. It produces 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque, with a factory-estimated 0-60 mph time of about 4.6 seconds. Simply put, it will get up and go.
From behind the wheel, this setup feels quick and responsive, especially at lower speeds where the smaller turbos spool faster. It doesn’t have the brute force of the Scat Pack I reviewed, but for most drivers, it’s more than enough power and actually makes more sense for daily driving. The all-wheel drive system adds confidence, especially in bad weather, and the ride quality—particularly with the available Blacktop Package—is noticeably more forgiving than the performance-focused Scat Pack, which makes this version of the Charger a dual-purpose sedan. It is great for a family sedan but satisfies that need for speed.
Inside, the Charger R/T is a mix of modern tech and some noticeable cost-cutting compared to the Scat Pack Plus. You still get the Uconnect 5 system with a large 12.3-inch touchscreen, along with a 10.25-inch configurable digital driver display. The system is quick, intuitive, and one of the best infotainment setups in the business. You don’t have to go deep into the screens to do anything, and there are volume and tuning knobs, and the air conditioning system has easy-to-reach buttons.
More on the Uconnect 5 system because it’s much more than just a radio and navigation screen. Think of it as the command center for the entire car. From the touchscreen, you control your audio, navigation, and phone functions, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it goes well beyond that. You can adjust climate settings, customize driver preferences, manage lighting and door lock behavior, and even fine-tune how some of the safety systems respond. It’s fast, easy to navigate, and far more responsive than older systems, which makes a big difference when you’re using it every day.
What really stands out is how much of the vehicle is now integrated into that screen. You can quickly access menus that let you personalize the car to your liking, from display themes to driver assist settings. It also supports multiple driver profiles, so different drivers can save their own preferences, and it connects seamlessly to your phone for calls, texts, music, and apps. In short, Uconnect 5 turns the Charger into a much more modern, tech-forward vehicle, and once you get used to it, you’ll find yourself using it for far more than just entertainment.
In a refreshing change for me, my tester has cloth sport seats instead of leather, a manual driver’s seat instead of power adjustment, and a basic 6-speaker sound system. In a vehicle that stickers just under $56,000, the manual seat is something buyers will notice. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a reminder that this R/T is positioned as the entry point into the Charger lineup. The seats are bolstered and quite comfortable. The center console has a really cool shifter, a couple of cup holders, and the start button is there. I love the steering wheel with controls; it is flat on the top and bottom and feels very nice in your hands.
The back seat in the new four-door Charger is one of its strong suits, and it matches the car’s size and mission as a true everyday driver. There’s plenty of legroom and headroom for adults, with a wide bench that comfortably fits two and can handle three in a pinch. Getting in and out is easy thanks to the four-door layout, and the seating position is supportive enough for longer trips. Rear passengers also benefit from modern conveniences, including rear air vents and USB ports for charging devices, along with decent door storage and cupholders. It’s not a luxury-car back seat, especially in the R/T with cloth upholstery, but it’s roomy, practical, and a big step toward making the Charger a car you can realistically use to haul family or friends without complaints.
Around back, the new Charger’s liftback design is a real advantage and something buyers will appreciate once they use it. Instead of a traditional trunk opening, the entire rear glass and deck lift up, giving you a wide, high opening that makes loading larger items much easier than before. There’s a generous amount of cargo space for a car in this class, and the rear seats fold down to expand it even further, making it surprisingly versatile for road trips, Costco runs, or hauling longer items.
The floor is flat and easy to work with, and while this R/T doesn’t add any luxury touches back there, it’s practical, usable space—and a big improvement over the old Charger’s smaller trunk opening.
Standard features on the Charger R/T are focused on the essentials, but it still feels modern where it counts. Inside, you get the Uconnect 5 system with a large 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital driver display, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and multiple USB ports. The cabin features cloth sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, push-button start, and dual-zone climate control, along with keyless entry. You also get power windows, power door locks, and a straightforward 6-speaker audio system. It has remote start, tilt wheel, LED headlights and daytime running lights, and capless fuel filler.
Safety
Standard safety features are strong and include adaptive cruise control with stop and go, active driving assist, lane management, forward collision warning with emergency braking, intersection collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Dodge didn’t skimp here, and that’s a good thing.
Options on this one are simple. The White Knuckle exterior paint is $695, which looks fantastic and highlights the body lines well. Then the Blacktop Package is $1,295 and includes 20-inch Black Noise aluminum wheels, 255/45R20 all-season tires, a sport suspension, gloss black exterior badging, a black painted roof, and dual exhaust with black tips.
Behind the wheel, the Charger R/T strikes a balance that’s going to appeal to a lot of buyers. It’s quick off the line, with strong low-end response from the twin-turbo six, and the power comes on smoothly without feeling overwhelming. The all-wheel drive system adds confidence, especially in corners and less-than-ideal weather, while the steering is well-weighted and easy to control.
With the sport suspension from the Blacktop Package, it feels composed and planted, but it still rides comfortably enough for everyday use—this isn’t a punishing performance car. It’s quiet on the highway, stable at speed, and easy to drive in traffic, making it feel more like a refined daily driver than a hardcore muscle machine, which is exactly where this R/T fits in the lineup.
Fuel economy is pretty good for a heavy, 420-horsepower sedan, rated at 17 city/26 highway.
So, where does this Charger R/T Blacktop fit? It’s the sweet spot for someone who wants the all-new Charger design, the new twin-turbo inline-six engine, and the added confidence of all-wheel drive, but doesn’t want to spend Scat Pack money or needs all that extra performance. It’s still quick, still looks great, and now with four doors, it’s as practical as ever.
It’s not the old SRT Charger we were all used to, but in many ways, it’s better—especially with the addition of all-wheel drive.