I drove the 2026 Dodge Charger for a week for USA TODAY Cars. The American muscle car was just as thrilling as I expected, but its design surprised me.
Dodge's muscle car is polarizing because of recent changes to its powertrain and design language. Here's what drivers and car buyers need to know about the new Charger after a week of testing.
What stands out about the 2026 Dodge Charger?
Dodge's muscle car retains its power and driving verve, but its eighth generation completely transformed the vehicle's exterior and interior design language (for better or worse). Dodge brought back internal combustion engines (ICE) for 2026, a huge win for nameplate fans who love gas Chargers.
The full-size car is built for enthusiasts. I enjoyed its performance, and its cabin design was much bolder and more
futuristic than I expected, since Dodge is known for sticking to its winning formula.
Performance, handling and efficiency: How does it drive?
Dodge's Charger is a blast to drive, thanks to its massive power, sporty stance, and aggressive engine notes. If you're a driving enthusiast, the Charger delivers on performance, with the acceleration and engine grumble American muscle cars are known for. I loved highway driving in the Charger, and its real-world fuel economy beat my expectations.
The Dodge Charger uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine to produce 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. It gets 17 miles per gallon in the city, 26 on the highway, and 20combined.
Interior, tech and comfort: What's it like inside?
Dodge's full-size sedan is spacious and comfortable. It uses high-quality seating materials and upholstery. There's also a solid mix of physical buttons and touchscreen controls for drivers who enjoy a more tactile experience.
It features a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel. Standard tech features also include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus USB-C charging ports. The door trim and cabin aesthetic feel technocentric, resembling a spaceship cockpit more than a muscle car interior.
Will the Dodge Charger fit your lifestyle?
The 2026 Dodge Charger is 206 inches long, 79.8 inches wide (without mirrors), and 58.9 inches tall. It has 22.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
Dodge's full-size sedan has 42.6 inches of front legroom and 37.2 inches of rear legroom. The front row was even comfortable in stop-and-go traffic driving from New Jersey to upstate New York.
If you're a commuter or have a small family, the Charger should fit your lifestyle. It's a practical choice for driving enthusiasts who will pay a premium for power and performance.
Price, value and competitors: Is the Dodge Charger worth buying?
The 2026 Dodge Charger starts at $49,995. It comes in six different trims including two fully electric trims.
2026 Dodge Charger trims
- R/T: $49,995
- R/T Plus: $54,990
- Scat Pack: $54,995
- Scat Pack Plus: $59,990
- Daytona Scat Pack: $59,995
- Daytona Scat Pack Plus: $64,990
Dodge's full-size sedan is worth the money for drivers who value performance and are fans of the nameplate. It competes against rivals like the Ford Mustang and BMW 4 Series. Ford's Mustang is best for drivers who want an old-school V8 engine with a lightweight chassis and available manual transmission.
The BMW 4 Series is the most luxurious and refined of the trio. Dodge's Charger beats rivals for highway passing power and utility.
Final verdict: Who should buy the 2026 Dodge Charger?
If you're looking for a high-performance muscle car with the cabin and cargo space of a family vehicle, the Charger is worth consideration. Its standard engine is powerful and upper trims offer even more exciting performance specs. I found the base model extremely fun to drive.
If you want a more conventional muscle car that hasn't undergone such drastic changes to its design, the Ford Mustang may be a better pick. Dodge's decisions to modernize nameplates like the Charger and eliminate the Challenger represent a major brand shift toward electrification.
Hardcore enthusiasts either embrace these changes or despise them. Nonetheless, the Charger remains a solid performance car.
Charles Singh is an Autos Connect Reporter for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at CSingh@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: We drove the 2026 Dodge Charger. Here's what a week of testing revealed
