2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack SIXPACK - The Hurricane Hits Hard

The roar of a V8 is famously the sound of American muscle, but for 2026, Dodge is rewriting the script. After the initial launch of the all-electric Charger Daytona, the faithful have been waiting for the inevitable gasoline model, and it has arrived not with a HEMI, but with the potent, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine known as the SIXPACK. This engine, a high-output variant of the 'Hurricane' motor, is designed to deliver V8 performance with V6 efficiency potential. The 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, armed with this revolutionary powertrain, is tasked with the daunting mission of appeasing muscle car purists while propelling the brand into a new era of engineering sophistication. It’s an enormous undertaking, but the Scat Pack SIXPACK is, fundamentally, a triumph of modern engineering applied to a timeless formula. It brings 550 horsepower, switchable all-wheel drive, and an aggressively modern yet unmistakably Dodge aesthetic to the table. The result is a muscle car that is faster, more composed, and arguably more globally relevant than any Charger before it.

Design: Widebody and Unmistakable Presence

Dodge successfully navigated the delicate balance between honoring the Charger's lineage and embracing the future. Built on the new STLA Large platform, the 2026 Charger Scat Pack retains the iconic widebody stance that defined its predecessors, lending it an intimidating, planted look that screams aggression. The exterior design is a refined evolution, ditching the heavy-handed retro cues for a cleaner, yet still menacing, modern muscle silhouette. The signature full-width illuminated front and rear lighting treatments give it a dramatic presence, especially at night.

A key point of differentiation for this generation is the body style. Dodge offers the Scat Pack in both a sleek two-door coupe and a more practical four-door sedan configuration. The coupe, in particular, has been a long-awaited body style for the Charger nameplate, finally giving fans a spiritual successor to the two-door Challenger that shares the same platform. Regardless of the door count, all 2026 Chargers feature a practical liftback design, replacing the traditional trunk lid with a massive rear hatch. This provides an impressive cargo volume—up to approximately 37 cubic feet with the rear seats folded—making the Charger a surprisingly practical daily driver capable of hauling far more than typical performance coupes. With its bold hood bulge, functional vents, and available 20-inch wheels wrapped in aggressive performance rubber, the Scat Pack ensures the muscle car aesthetic is preserved, even without a V8 underneath.

Powertrain: The 550-HP SIXPACK Hurricane

The beating heart of the 2026 Charger Scat Pack is the 3.0L Twin-Turbo SIXPACK High-Output (H.O.) engine. This inline-six cylinder unit shatters the notion that a true muscle car requires eight cylinders, generating a robust 550 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque, with peak boost hitting 30 psi. This output is greater than the naturally aspirated 6.4L V8 Scat Pack engine it replaces, delivering performance figures that put it firmly into serious territory. Paired with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, the power delivery is remarkably smooth and instantaneous, thanks to the twin turbochargers' low-inertia, high-flow design.

The performance numbers speak for themselves: the Scat Pack can launch from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 3.9 seconds and conquer the quarter-mile in a blistering 12.2 seconds, en route to an estimated top speed of 177 mph. Unlike its rear-wheel-drive predecessors, the Charger Scat Pack SIXPACK comes standard with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system for enhanced grip and all-weather usability. Crucially, Dodge understands its audience: the AWD system features a selectable mode that allows the driver to switch to 100% rear-wheel drive, enabling the smoky burnouts and powerslides essential to the muscle car experience. The standard performance aids, including Line Lock for heating up the rear tires and Launch Control for optimal straight-line takeoff, are readily available via the new high-tech interface, keeping the hooligan spirit alive and well.

Driving Dynamics: The Muscle Car with Manners

The shift to the STLA Large platform brings a fundamental change to the Charger’s road manners. While the previous generation was often criticized for its soft, slightly "floaty" chassis dynamics, the 2026 model feels significantly more buttoned-down and composed. This is aided by a near 50-50 weight distribution on some models and a rigid chassis that improves handling through corners.

The Scat Pack includes an evolved Dual-Valve Adaptive Damping System as standard. This system expertly manages the car's substantial weight (estimated to be around 4,850 lbs), offering a plusher, more comfortable ride in Auto or Eco modes for daily commuting and grand touring. When switched to Track or Sport modes, the dampers firm up, providing a more connected and engaging feeling, though the car's considerable heft remains noticeable. While the Charger is undoubtedly faster and more agile than before—especially with the optional 305-section performance tires—it remains a pure muscle car, excelling at straight-line speed and high-speed cruising rather than challenging rivals like the Ford Mustang or BMW M3 on the tightest canyon roads. Braking confidence is high, thanks to the massive Brembo high-performance brakes (six-piston up front) with a 31% increase in swept brake area, providing excellent stopping power despite the vehicle's mass.

Interior Technology and Comfort

The cabin of the 2026 Charger Scat Pack SIXPACK represents perhaps the biggest leap forward, shedding the dated interior of the prior generation for a sleek, modern, driver-centric cockpit. The centerpiece is the vast, customizable digital experience. A large 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen dominates the center stack, offering a quick, intuitive interface for navigation, climate control, and entertainment. This is complemented by a standard 10.25-inch or optional larger digital gauge cluster (up to 16.0 inches on some trims) in front of the driver, which can be configured with dedicated Performance Pages to display real-time data like boost pressure, g-force meters, and lap timers.

The cockpit’s layout is enhanced by premium features like the optional 64-color "Attitude Adjustment" ambient lighting and the thick-rimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel with dedicated performance controls. Comfort is addressed with heavily bolstered Performance seats—available in cloth, leatherette, or an optional carbon and suede package—designed to keep the occupants firmly in place during spirited driving. While some drivers may find the seating position slightly higher than expected (a consequence of the multi-energy platform shared with the electric Daytona), the overall fit, finish, and material quality are vastly improved. Finally, essential modern features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with multiple USB-C ports, are standard, solidifying the Charger's commitment to modern convenience.

Final Verdict and Pricing

The 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack SIXPACK is the internal combustion muscle car reborn for a demanding new era. It is unapologetically powerful, visually striking, and surprisingly practical thanks to its liftback design and standard AWD. The high-output SIXPACK engine is a legitimate V8 successor, providing brutal acceleration and a thrilling 550 horsepower without the fuel penalty of the old big blocks.

The price of entry for this level of performance is highly competitive, with the two-door Charger Scat Pack SIXPACK starting around $56,990 MSRP (including destination). This positions it directly against top-tier performance versions of its rivals while offering a unique blend of muscle car attitude and modern technology. While purists may mourn the V8, the reality is that the Scat Pack SIXPACK delivers a superior, more capable, and more technologically advanced package. It successfully proves that the muscle car segment can evolve without sacrificing its core identity, offering a definitive and compelling choice for those who still prefer the satisfying punch of premium unleaded fuel.