The 2026 Dodge Charger R/T arrives with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six, a choice that has upset some traditionalists.
Yet after spending time with the four-door R/T, the conclusion is that this is a genuinely impressive muscle car.
It is not the fastest, cheapest, or most efficient car on sale, but it excels at being a well-rounded daily driver.
The test car started at $51,995 and reached $55,980 with options and a $1,995 destination charge.
For that price, buyers get 420 hp and 468 lb-ft from the Hurricane inline-six, plus all-wheel drive with a rear-wheel-drive mode.
It also offers room for four large adults, a massive hatchback cargo area, and an EPA highway rating of 26 mpg.
The Charger R/T hits 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and weighs 4,816 lbs.
Observed fuel economy during testing was 26.1 mpg, matching the highway estimate.
Design and Interior
Dodge avoided simply copying the previous Charger, giving the new model a wide, low, and imposing stance with simple surfacing.
The tester’s White Knuckle paint and Blacktop treatment drew attention, with strangers often asking about the car.
A couple of panel gaps were uneven, a minor blemish on an otherwise solid build.
Inside, the cabin avoids feeling cheap, using textured plastics and red contrast stitching to add visual interest.
The seats are comfortable for long drives, though more lateral bolstering would be welcome.
The infotainment display is modestly sized, a deliberate choice for a driver’s car, and Uconnect worked smoothly with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
At 6-foot-6, the reviewer could sit comfortably in the back seat behind their own driving position.
The hatchback cargo area is large enough to fit an XL Cannondale Cujo mountain bike with the rear seats folded and front wheel removed.
Driving Impressions
The 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six sends 420 hp and 468 lb-ft through an eight-speed automatic.
Throttle response is not as sharp as a naturally aspirated V8, but the engine is predictable and pulls hard from low revs.
It continues making meaningful power toward the top of the tachometer, and the exhaust note becomes enjoyable at higher revs.
The eight-speed automatic can be slow to downshift in normal mode, though Sport mode sharpens responses considerably.
The R/T lacks some features, but the overall package remains compelling.
The Charger R/T may not win over V8 purists, but its combination of power, space, and practicality makes it a standout muscle car for everyday use.
