2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus 2-Door Review

The 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus 2-door feels like Dodge finally came to its senses. After a couple of years of pushing hard toward an all-electric future, the old Dodge leadership is out and the beloved Charger is back with gasoline power—and folks, that matters. No, the HEMI V8 didn’t return, and I know some of you just groaned, but stay with me here. The new Charger is bigger, more refined, and packed with tech, but the important thing is this—it still feels like a muscle car, and these days, that’s saying something.

What I loved about the last gasoline version I reviewed, the 2023 Charger Super Bee was simple: it knew exactly what it was. Loud, fast, and not the least bit interested in being subtle. The 2026 Charger Scat Pack Plus takes that same attitude and brings it into a new era—one where performance meets technology, and honestly, a lot more usability.

For 2026, Dodge keeps the lineup fairly straightforward on the gas-powered Charger models, all falling under the SixPack name. In the two-door coupe, you start with the SixPack Standard Output, which delivers around 420-horsepower, and then move up to the SixPack High Output with 550-horsepower. The Scat Pack Plus I’m reviewing is essentially the high-output version with more standard features, upgraded materials, and additional technology, making it the more premium and better-equipped choice.

As for the new four-door Charger, it’s more than just adding two extra doors. It rides on the same platform, uses the same engines, and delivers very similar performance, but it’s clearly aimed at buyers who need more everyday practicality. Rear-seat access is easier, and there’s a bit more usable space for passengers, making it more family friendly. The liftback design carries over, so cargo space remains excellent, but the sedan makes it easier to take advantage of that space when you’ve got people in the back seat. Dodge has done a good job preserving the performance character, I’m told. The two-door is still the emotional, style-driven choice, while the four-door is likely the more practical option you can justify, and the impressive part is that both still deliver the performance and attitude you expect from a Charger. I have my hand high in the air, waving, to review the 4-door version very soon.

Performance  

 Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way. As I told you, the V8 is gone. I know, I know. But before you write this car off, this new SixPack 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six delivers 550-horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque, which is actually more power than the old Scat Pack. More importantly, it delivers it differently. The power comes on smooth, strong, and quick, and the throttle response is immediate. This thing will run 0-to-60 mph in about 3.9 seconds and cover the quarter mile in the low 12s. That’s serious performance no matter what badge is on the hood. The new 6-cylinders are dubbed SixPacks; it even says it on the heater extractor on the hood. It’s a throwback Chrysler name that refers to Dodge’s new twin-turbo inline-six engine lineup, and in this Scat Pack Plus, you get the high-output version. The Hurricane is mated to a hard- shifting 8-speed automatic with shift paddles.

One of the biggest changes—and one you’ll notice right away—is the all-wheel-drive system. That’s new for the Charger, but Dodge didn’t forget who they are. There’s a rear-wheel-drive mode, and yes, you can still do burnouts if that’s your thing. What the AWD really does is make this car more usable every single day. It hooks up better, feels more planted, and gives you confidence when the road conditions aren’t perfect. It also opens this beauty up to a completely different set of people-those where there is snow and ice. Unless they just wanted a car for the summer, it’s been off-limits in the past, but no more.

Exterior

This new Charger is also a big car. It’s over 200 inches long, it’s wider, taller, and heavier, and has a real presence on the road. But here’s the difference from the old one—it handles better. The new platform feels more balanced, the steering is more precise, and while it’s still not a “sports car,” it’s far more composed in corners than Chargers of the past. You can actually enjoy a winding road now without feeling like you’re asking too much of it. The old Charger felt really heavy, the new one is much nimbler.

I love the looks of this car, much like I loved the appearance of the last two Charger Daytona electric vehicles I reviewed. The hood is long and raised in the middle with a functional heat extractor. The front end features a wide, low-slung grille with an illuminated Dodge badge stretching across it, flanked by slim, aggressive LED headlights that give the Charger a modern look while still hinting at its classic muscle car roots. The rear haunches are long with a slight flaring toward the rear.

My tester has black 20” wheels and meaty tires, a spoiler on the rear hatch and dual exhaust that sounds fantastic. The color attracts a lot of attention, including from police, and it is called Peel Out.

Interior  

Inside is where more big improvements are. The old Charger interior was getting long in the tooth, and Dodge fixed that in a big way. You’ve got a large 16” configurable digital gauge cluster, a big 12.3” center Uconnect touchscreen, and leather/suede seat materials that finally match the price tag. It’s modern, it’s clean, and it’s driver-focused without being complicated. Look up and you’ll see a fantastic head-up display.

The front seats are power-adjustable, heated and cooled, and heavily bolstered for spirited driving, yet still comfortable enough for long trips, with supportive cushioning and available heating, ventilation, and premium materials that give them an upscale feel. The center console is wide and driver-focused, with a clean layout that houses the shifter, cupholders, the start button, and storage, a wireless phone charger, USB-C ports, and the electronic emergency brake button. Just above the console you can turn off the Start/Stop system (YEA), turn on park assist, activate lane keep assist, traction control, and there is a shortcut button to start the Launch Control sequence. The doors have electric latches, something I could easily live without.

The back seat is heated, was surprisingly large and would comfortably fit two adults. Since the Charger is so long and wide, there is good headroom and legroom, and the opening to get into the back seat is massive, aided by the seat electrically sliding forward when you fold it forward to allow passengers in. I love 2-door cars, but the truth is most are not functional for actual passengers, but the Charger is the exception to this rule. The back seat is fully functioning like a sedan.

The Uconnect 5 touchscreen serves as the command center for just about everything you’ll do in this car. It’s fast—much quicker than the old systems—and laid out in a way that actually makes sense, which isn’t always a given these days. From this screen, you control navigation with real-time traffic updates, the Alpine 18-speaker audio system, climate settings, and all your phone functions through wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with available Amazon Alexa voice commands.

You can also access performance pages that display real-time data like timers, gauges, G-forces, and vehicle stats, while adjusting drive modes including Sport, Auto, Wet/Snow, and even setting up a custom mode tailored to your driving style. In addition, it handles connected services, vehicle settings, and over-the-air updates, and it’s fully customizable so you can arrange shortcuts and screens the way you want them. For some real fun, hit the Launch Control which helps you get the perfect start every time for maximum acceleration, or hit Line Lock and that lets you lock the front brakes so you can spin the rear tires for a proper burnout, but you better like buying tires for the rear.

Another change I really like is the liftback design. Instead of a traditional trunk, the rear opens up like a hatch, which gives you a lot more usable cargo space. It’s one of those things you don’t think about until you have it, and then you don’t want to give it up. There is a massive amount of cargo area back there, and a cargo cover that keeps anyone from seeing your valuables. The liftback opens electrically but I was surprised there was no power closing function.

Standard Equipment 

 The 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus comes well equipped with standard features such as an active transfer case with front axle disconnect, a 3.45 rear axle ratio along with a mechanical limited-slip differential and Brembo high-performance brakes. It also includes performance suspension, a one-touch drive mode experience with custom drive mode capability, Line Lock, and Launch Control. You get a day at the Dodge/SRT high performance driving school, plus an enhanced security alarm, active exhaust, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go. Safety is covered with an active driving assist system and full-speed forward collision warning plus. Rounding things out are a 17.5-gallon fuel tank and a 230-amp alternator, giving this Charger both the performance hardware and everyday usability you’d expect.

Options 

My review vehicle has a little over $13,500 in options. First up is the Peel Out orange paint which runs $795. Then it has Customer Preferred Package 23B at $4,995 and includes ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a 16-inch color driver display, performance pages, a head-up display, attitude-adjustment lighting, a surround-view camera system, a wireless charging pad, power hatch, exterior mirror lamps with logo, Uconnect 5 navigation with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, map-in-cluster display, connected travel and traffic services, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, Alexa built-in, bi-function LED premium reflector headlamps, bright pedals, memory for the radio, driver’s seat and exterior mirrors, integrated voice command, key-fob window control, a power tilt and telescoping steering column, automatic high-beam headlamp control, illuminated door pull handles, and an 800-amp maintenance-free battery. This is a terrific package for the money.

Other options include the $1,295 Blacktop which is black exhaust tips and all dark exterior badging. The 20” wheels are $1,195, a full glass roof is $1,395 (which I would pass on), and the 18-speaker Alpine High-Performance Audio with a subwoofer is $1,795.

Lastly, it has the $2,095 Carbon & Suede package, which adds leather and suede performance seats with high-back bucket seats, ventilated front seats, heated front and second-row seats, and 12-way power-adjustable front seats with 4-way power lumbar adjustment for both driver and passenger. It also includes a suede headliner, instrument panel with carbon fiber and suede wrap, carbon fiber interior accents, door panels with carbon fiber inserts, and carbon fiber multi-function mirrors. Rounding out the package are exterior mirror lamps with logo, power adjustable mirrors, and heated exterior mirrors, giving the interior a much more upscale, performance-oriented look and feel.

I noted I would pass on the glass roof. It is deeply tinted and wonderful when it is cool outside, but there is no cover inside and I can tell you from experience, when it gets hot outside and the sun is beating down on it, it is not going to be comfortable inside. It’s a great feature for those of you in Southern California, but for the majority of people, this would likely be a no go.

Ride And Drive

On the road, this car has two personalities. In normal driving, it’s quiet, comfortable, and easy to live with. You could drive this every day without any complaints. But put it in Sport mode, and it wakes up. The steering tightens, the throttle sharpens, and it takes on that aggressive personality you expect from a Charger. It’s still got that muscle car soul, just with better manners when you need them. Acceleration is super strong, the exhaust is enchanting, and the handling is superb.

MPG and MSRP

One of the pluses of the Hemi going away is improved fuel economy. This beast is rated at 16 in town, 23 on the highway, and 19 overall. MSRP as equipped is $70,555 and I have no problem with that.

Verdict  

Is it the same as the old Charger? No, and it’s not trying to be. That car was raw and a little wild, and I loved it for that. This one is smarter, quicker, and far more livable. But here’s what matters—it still puts a smile on your face when you hit the gas.

And in today’s world, that means a lot.