2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK Review A New Kind of American GT

2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK Review: A New Kind of American GT

The new Dodge Charger arrives with a mix of nostalgia, expectations, and controversy. Many enthusiasts insist that a Charger without a V8 cannot be a Charger. That idea is holding people back from seeing what Dodge actually built. This new generation isn’t trying to re-create the past. It’s trying to move its lineup forward, and once you spend real time with the SIXPACK, the evolution becomes clear. This isn’t a tribute act, it’s a modern grand-touring muscle sedan with strong engineering, thoughtful refinement, and a driving character closer to the European performance world than anything Dodge has produced before.

Our test vehicle was the High-Output SIXPACK finished in Triple Nickel, a colour that amplifies the broad shoulders and long hood. The stance remains distinctly American, but the proportions are more disciplined. The lighting signatures are sharper. The panel fit is noticeably better than the previous generation, even though this was a pre-production model. From certain angles, especially the front three-quarter, the Charger carries the same kind of confident elegance associated with European GT sedans. Dodge aimed for this level of maturity, and the result feels premium in a way the older V8 models never achieved.

Inside, the upgrade is immediate. The cabin layout is clean and ergonomic, and the material quality takes a step forward. Seating is comfortable, offering real long-distance support without locking you into a tight, performance-focused position. Visibility is better than expected for a car with such a dramatic profile. The Alpine 18-speaker High-Performance Audio system with subwoofer delivers sharp clarity and tight bass control, and it holds up even at high volume. In a grand-touring-oriented model, this makes a genuine difference. Owners will spend hours on the highway, and this system gives the right soundtrack for long-distance driving.

The infotainment system represents another meaningful improvement. The large center display is bright with strong contrast, and the Uconnect 5 feels far quicker than previous Uconnect interfaces. Menu transitions are smooth, graphics are sharp, and voice commands respond with better accuracy. Smartphone integration feels more stable and faster than before, hooking up CarPlay and AndroidAuto is intuitive enough that even first-time users will feel comfortable. For a car that now competes directly with premium sport sedans, this level of refinement was overdue.

Under the hood, Dodge now offers two versions of its 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six. The Standard Output version produces 420 hp and 469 lb-ft, while the High Output model increases output to 550 hp and 531 lb-ft. Our tester was the HO, and performance is immediate. Power builds quickly, and torque delivery feels almost electric in its responsiveness. Turbo lag is minimal. Highway passing requires little planning. The AWD system provides confident traction, yet Dodge allows drivers to disable it when they want a more traditional rear-drive feel. If you grew up with HEMI V8s, this engine won’t recreate their sound, but it delivers better performance than the old V8 without forced induction. European brands have shown for years that a turbocharged six-cylinder can deliver real character.

Cold starts remain dramatic. The HO wakes up with a loud, attention-grabbing roar. Once warm, the volume drops noticeably. Some drivers will wish Dodge kept more soundtrack inside the cabin, and enhancing the note without adding external noise would suit the Charger’s new personality. Even so, the tone aligns with the grand-touring approach Dodge is pursuing here.

On the road, the Charger SIXPACK feels planted and stable. The chassis is more controlled than any previous Charger, steering response is sharper, and mid-corner behaviour is calmer. The suspension absorbs broken pavement with ease, and long-distance driving becomes effortless. This is where the new Charger separates itself from its predecessors. It is no longer a car that feels best only in short bursts. It is a proper GT, capable of covering large distances without fatigue. The idea that “only V8s make a proper Charger” ignores how polished this new platform has become. Heritage doesn’t disappear; it evolves.

Fuel economy reflects that maturity. Over our test week, the HO averaged 12.9 L/100 km. City driving produced 14.8 L/100 km, and highway driving dipped as low as 8.2 L/100 km. These numbers align with NRCan’s official estimates and highlight the efficiency improvements compared with the outgoing 6.4-litre V8. More power, less fuel, better composure, this is the direction the segment is moving toward.

Family use is often overlooked in performance sedans, but Dodge handled this well. The rear seats offer good legroom, and wide door openings make loading kids easier, even in winter layers. Car-seat installation is straightforward. The ISOFIX/LATCH anchors sit behind clear openings that don’t require digging between cushions, and the bench offers enough depth to fit larger seats without compromising front-row comfort. Forward-facing seats lock securely, rear-facing seats fit properly, and the centre position remains usable for a booster despite the tunnel. Step-in height is lower than a crossover, allowing children to climb in without effort. The sloping roofline still leaves enough headroom for taller kids, making the Charger more family-ready than its image suggests.

The trunk remains spacious with a wide opening ideal for family trips. Cabin noise remains low at highway speeds, and combined with the comfort of the seats and the stability of the chassis, the Charger delivers the kind of long-distance calm that defines a proper GT sedan.

Pricing varies significantly. The base SIXPACK SO starts at $62,390, which places Dodge directly against established premium sport sedans. Our High-Output tester reached $88,860. At that level, the car needs to feel truly refined, and Dodge meets those expectations. The overall quality, performance, and comfort place the Charger in territory it was never able to reach before.

After a week with the Charger SIXPACK HO, the biggest surprise is how misunderstood it remains. This new Charger is faster than the V8 models. It is more refined. It is easier to drive long distances. It uses less fuel. It handles more naturally. And it feels engineered to compete in a global market where performance sedans must offer more than just straight-line theatrics.

A sportier variant will almost certainly arrive later, but the SIXPACK HO already stands as an impressive grand-tourer, strong, comfortable, and capable of swallowing long distances with ease. This is not the end of American muscle. It is the next chapter.

Why we would buy it:

• Real performance without sacrificing comfort

• Smooth, powerful HO engine that feels refined

• Chassis tuning that finally matches the segment

  
  

Why would we skip it:

• Traditional V8 sound is still unmatched.

• A fully optioned SIXPACK HO reaches a high price point.

• Exhaust note becomes quieter once warm.

Disclaimer: Dodge has lent us the vehicle as a press loan. We have no affiliation with Dodge Canada. The above reflects our personal opinion of the cars referred to above.