The 2026 Dodge Charger SixPack R/T has just arrived as the base model of the current lineup and when compared to the SXT and R/T models from the previous generation, this car has more of everything. It has more interior space, more interior technology, more standard features, more premium options and dramatically greater performance capabilities and the Dodge brand recently invited select media to come to New England to drive the 420-horsepower Charger SixPack R/T.
The 2026 Dodge Charger SixPack R/T comes standard with a long list of features that give it a very non-base model feel. The 10.25-inch driver information screen with a variety of gauge layouts is standard on the base Charger R/T and the R/T Plus comes with a 16-inch driver information screen, with both models coming standard with the 12.3-inch UConnect infotainment screen in the middle of the dashboard.
A basic six-speaker sound system is standard in the R/T, but the amplified 9-speaker system from the R/T Plus is available in the R/T. Also, the R/T Plus can be outfitted with the 18-speaker premium sound system that is also offered in the SixPack Scat Pack. Depending on the packages chosen, the Charger R/T and R/T Plus can be outfitted with the steering wheel paddle shifters, while the unique flat-bottom/flat-top steering wheel is standard on all models.
Cloth sport seats are standard in the 2026 Dodge Charger SixPack R/T, but the cloth is replaced by leatherette/leather and/or suede with the R/T Plus and with the various popular equipment groups, so most configurations of the SixPack R/T come with something other than cloth. Also, the high back performance seats are available with the Performance Handling Group and those racing-inspired buckets present a very premium look and feel.
In short, even without adding any options, the 2026 Dodge Charger SixPack R/T offers far more premium technology than the base model Charger from the previous generation, but it also offers more optional goodies than were ever offered for the base trim levels.
Mechanically, the main difference between the 2026 Dodge Charger SixPack in R/T and Scat Pack models is the engine. Even though they are both powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane straight-six engine, the R/T comes with the standard output engine while the Scat Pack comes with the high output variant.
The Scat Pack, which came to market first, offers 550 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque with an 8-speed transmission and an advanced all-wheel-drive system while the R/T delivers 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque with the same gearbox and AWD setup. Those power numbers make it far more powerful than the previous Charger SXT or R/T and thanks to the standard all-wheel-drive system, this new Charger R/T is a whole lot quicker than its predecessor.
According to Dodge, the Charger SixPack R/T is capable of sprinting from a stop to 60 miles per hour in the mid-4-second range, getting through the quarter mile in the high-12-second range. From a performance standpoint, those numbers put this “base” Charger in the middle of the previous generation lineup, competing with some older SRT models.
The other ways in which the Dodge Charger SixPack R/T and Scat Pack differ is in their standard brake systems, suspension setups and wheel/tire packages. The base Charger R/T comes with 18-inch wheels, a brake system with two-piston front calipers and what Dodge calls “Touring Suspension”. Between the wheel/tire package and the suspension ride height, you can spot this Charger SixPack from across the parking lot and on the road, this package clearly focuses more on comfort than performance.
These tires absorb the most road noise and vibration, but they also have more sidewall play and that negatively impacts handling. The dampers also provide the smoothest ride, but the car tends to lean a bit in the turns. However, this pure base car with the small wheels, small brakes and soft suspension still launches hard from a stop and while the skinny 18-inch tires spin a bit more than the wider rubber on the 20-inch wheels, the all-wheel-drive system in Sport mode does a great job of controlling wheelspin without eating up too much power.
Next, the Charger SixPack R/T with the Blacktop Package and the R/T Plus come with those same brakes, but they get the “Sport Suspension” package and 20-inch wheels wrapped in wider rubber. The wider tires spin a bit less (although the standard output Hurricane will spin the wider tires when the boost spikes in first gear on a hard launch), and the combination of the Sport Suspension with the wider tires leads to improved handling. Really, the Sport Suspension does a nice job of balancing ride quality and handling, leading to a car that is noticeably more nimble on curvy roads while still offering a nice, smooth ride.
Finally, if you add the Performance Handling Group to the 2026 Dodge Charger SixPack R/T or R/T Plus, you get the performance tuned suspension from the Scat Pack, the six-piston Brembo front brakes from the Scat Pack and the 20×10-inch wheels wrapped in 275/40/20 all-season tires from the Scat Pack.
While this setup provides the best feel for the road, the ride quality is not bad – it just isn’t as smooth as the other suspension and tire packages. When coupled with the paddle shifters and the performance seats, the Charger SixPack R/T with the Performance Handling Group package offers a very similar feel to the Scat Pack, but with the standard output engine.
When driving the Dodge Charge SixPack R/T Plus with the performance brakes, suspension and tires, it feels remarkably similar to the Scat Pack unless you are really pushing both cars to the limit of their performance capabilities. The Scat Pack is obviously quicker on a hard launch, but under normal driving circumstances, like when asking for a bunch of power to pass slower moving traffic, the R/T feels very strong, making good use of all of the available torque for great mid-range acceleration.
Most importantly, the Charger SixPack R/T feels far quicker than the SXT or R/T models before it. Even though they have been SXT and R/T models with AWD in past generations, none packed as much power and none were engineered to offer the level of performance that you get with the SixPack R/T.
When you take the level of performance and add in the roomier, high-tech cabin, the 2026 Dodge Charger SixPack R/T is better than the past base model – and the past R/T – in every way. Whether you are all about performance or your key focus is interior tech, the new Charger SixPack is a stunning evolution from the previous car, making it a great daily driver and a great weekend track toy.
