2026 Dodge Charger R/T Plus Review: The Gas-Powered Charger Returns

By Christopher Chung

For decades, the Dodge Charger has been one of the most recognizable names in American performance.

It was never the smallest car, the lightest car, or the most refined sport sedan. That was not the point. The Charger was about attitude. It was big, bold, powerful, and unapologetically American.

But the world around the Charger has changed.

The HEMI V8 is gone from this version. Dodge now sells the electric Charger Daytona. And the newest gas-powered Charger arrives with a very different kind of engine under the hood: a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six.

That makes the 2026 Dodge Charger R/T Plus one of the most important models in the new Charger lineup.

This is the car for buyers who still want a gas-powered muscle car, but also want modern technology, all-wheel-drive confidence, four-door practicality, and enough performance to keep the Charger name alive.

Our tester was a 2026 Dodge Charger R/T Plus 4-Door AWD finished in Bludicrous with a Black interior. Equipped with the Customer Preferred Package 21A, Performance Handling Group, full glass roof, Alpine 18-speaker audio system, and other options, it carried a total MSRP of $65,865.

Exterior Styling

The new Charger has presence.

That is important because any vehicle wearing the Charger name needs to look like it belongs in the Dodge family. Thankfully, this new generation does not disappear into traffic.

The design is wide, clean, and muscular, with a long hood, aggressive lighting, performance-inspired details, and a fastback-style profile. This four-door model adds practicality, but still keeps the sleek shape that helps separate it from a conventional sedan.

Finished in Bludicrous, this Charger R/T Plus has the kind of color that fits the personality of the car. It is bold without being cartoonish, and it gives the new body style more visual drama.

The Performance Handling Group also adds a black one-piece performance spoiler, 20-inch by 10-inch diamond-cut/luster aluminum wheels, and wider 275/40ZR20 all-season tires. Combined with the low roofline and broad stance, the result is a car that still looks like a modern muscle machine.

Some traditionalists may miss the more squared-off aggression of the previous Charger, but this new model feels sleeker and more futuristic while still carrying enough Dodge attitude to make the nameplate recognizable.

Powertrain and Performance

The biggest change is under the hood.

Instead of a V8, the Charger R/T uses Dodge’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged SIXPACK Standard Output engine. It produces 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

For longtime Dodge fans, that will take some adjustment. The sound and character of a HEMI V8 were major parts of the Charger’s identity.

But judged on performance, the new SIXPACK engine makes a strong case for itself.

The torque is the first thing drivers will notice. With 468 lb-ft available, the Charger R/T feels strong in normal driving and should have no trouble making highway passes, merging into traffic, or delivering the kind of straight-line punch buyers expect from Dodge.

Dodge says the R/T can run from 0–60 mph in 4.6 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds. Those numbers are not just respectable. They are seriously quick for what is technically the entry point into the gas-powered Charger lineup.

Standard all-wheel drive is another major part of the story. It gives the Charger better year-round usability, especially in rain, snow, or colder climates. But Dodge also gives enthusiasts the ability to send power to the rear wheels when desired, preserving some of the traditional muscle car feel.

That combination may be the new Charger R/T’s greatest strength.

It offers all-wheel-drive confidence when needed and rear-drive attitude when wanted.

Driving Character

This R/T Plus is equipped with several performance features that help give it more credibility than a simple appearance package.

The Monroney lists a mechanical limited-slip differential, 3.45 rear axle ratio, active transfer case with front axle disconnect, sport brakes, One-Touch Drive Mode Experience, Performance Pages, paddle shifters, and underbody aerodynamic panels.

The optional Performance Handling Group adds Brembo high-performance brakes, performance suspension, Line Lock, Launch Control, Custom Drive Mode, high-back performance seats, 20-inch by 10-inch wheels, and wider tires.

Those features matter because they help the Charger feel like more than just a large, powerful cruiser.

This is still a big car, and buyers should not expect it to feel like a lightweight sports coupe. But the Charger has never really been about delicate handling. It is about confidence, speed, and road presence.

The new R/T should be at its best as a fast grand touring muscle car. It has enough power to make daily driving exciting, enough grip to feel secure, and enough comfort to remain usable for longer trips.

The 8-speed automatic transmission also plays a major role. Around town, it should keep the car smooth and relaxed. In Sport mode, with the paddle shifters and custom drive settings, it gives drivers more control over the experience.

Fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. That is not impressive compared with a normal sedan, but for a 420-horsepower all-wheel-drive muscle car, it is reasonable.

Interior and Technology

Inside, the Charger R/T Plus feels much more modern than the previous generation.

The cabin features Uconnect 5 with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, connected travel and traffic services, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a wireless charging pad, and a 16-inch color driver display as part of the Customer Preferred Package 21A.

The head-up display, Performance Pages, Performance Shift Indicator, and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters also help give the cabin a more driver-focused feel.

The seats are one of the highlights of this particular build. The leatherette and suede high-back performance seats fit the personality of the car well, and the R/T Plus equipment adds heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, 12-way power adjustment for both front seats, and power lumbar support.

This tester also includes the Alpine 18-speaker high-performance audio system with subwoofer. That is a fitting option for a Charger because part of the car’s appeal is the experience. A strong audio system adds to the feeling that this is a car meant to be enjoyed.

The full glass roof also adds an upscale touch, brightening the cabin and giving the Charger a more premium feel.

Overall, the interior is a major improvement in technology, design, and comfort. It feels less like an old-school muscle sedan and more like a modern performance car with real daily-driver convenience.

Practicality

One of the Charger’s longtime strengths has been its usability, and this new four-door model continues that tradition.

Unlike many performance cars, the Charger does not require buyers to give up rear-seat space or daily practicality. The four-door body style makes it easier to live with, especially for families, commuters, or buyers who regularly carry passengers.

The power hatch also adds flexibility, giving the car more cargo usefulness than a traditional sedan trunk. That makes the Charger more practical for road trips, luggage, camera gear, groceries, or weekend use.

This practicality is part of what separates the Charger from smaller coupes and traditional sports cars. It is fast, but it does not feel like a weekend-only toy.

It can be a daily driver.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The Charger R/T Plus comes with a strong list of safety and driver-assistance features.

Standard and available equipment includes adaptive cruise control with stop and go, Active Driving Assist, Active Lane Management, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, Intersection Collision Assist, blind-spot and cross-path detection, pedestrian and cyclist emergency braking, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, traffic sign information, ParkSense front and rear park assist, and a surround-view camera system.

The surround-view camera is especially useful in a car this wide, and the driver-assistance features help make the Charger feel more modern and easier to live with every day.

The Monroney notes that this vehicle had not yet been rated by the government for overall safety, frontal crash, side crash, or rollover risk at the time of labeling.

Value

At $65,865 as tested, this Charger R/T Plus is not inexpensive.

The base price is $51,995, but the options add up quickly. The Customer Preferred Package 21A, Performance Handling Group, full glass roof, Alpine audio system, and Bludicrous paint all contribute to the final sticker.

Still, the value argument depends on how buyers view the car.

Compared with a normal sedan, it is expensive. Compared with other performance vehicles offering 420 horsepower, standard all-wheel drive, four-door practicality, modern technology, and strong visual presence, the Charger R/T Plus becomes more compelling.

It also occupies an unusual space in the market.

There are fewer traditional American muscle cars than ever, and the Charger now has to appeal to buyers who want performance but are not ready to go electric. For those customers, the R/T Plus may be the sweet spot.

It is not the most powerful Charger. It is not the wildest Charger. But it may be the most livable gas-powered version.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Dodge Charger R/T Plus represents a major turning point.

It is not the same Charger many enthusiasts grew up with. The V8 soundtrack is gone, and for some buyers, that will be difficult to overlook.

But the Charger’s mission remains intact.

This is still a bold, powerful, practical American performance car. It has serious horsepower, a huge amount of torque, all-wheel-drive confidence, rear-drive capability, aggressive styling, and enough comfort and technology to make it usable every day.

The new SIXPACK engine may not replace the emotion of a HEMI, but it does give the Charger a strong future.

For buyers who want gas-powered Dodge muscle in a modern package, the 2026 Charger R/T Plus makes a convincing case.

It is fast.

It is practical.

It is comfortable.

And most importantly, it still feels like a Charger.

Chung Score: 8.7/10

Pros:

• Strong 420-horsepower SIXPACK engine

• 468 lb-ft of torque gives it serious punch

• Standard all-wheel drive with rear-drive capability

• Four-door practicality

• Modern interior and technology

• Performance Handling Group adds meaningful hardware

• Brembo brakes, Launch Control, Line Lock, and Performance Pages

• Bold Bludicrous exterior color

Cons:

• No HEMI V8 soundtrack

• Options push the price above $65,000

• Fuel economy is only average

• Big footprint may not appeal to sport sedan buyers

• Some traditional Dodge fans may need time to accept the new formula