Gas is back! Or, at least it is for those rowdy Dodge Brothers. After launching its new generation Charger as an electric car, Dodge is bringing internal combustion back to the table. That power plant comes in the form of a three-liter Hurricane inline-six. But what is the new Charger like to drive? Will an inline-six-powered Charger be any good? I’m in Vermont to find out, and I want to ask you what you would like to know about it.
Admittedly, driving a Dodge Charger and the Dodge Challenger have been on my bucket list ever since I learned more about modern Mopar muscle through the iconic Top Gear “Muscle Car Challenge” special. Yes, that’s the one where the three doofuses drove across America in a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, a Cadillac CTS-V, and a Dodge Challenger SRT8. I thought Dodge nailed the modern retro look way better than the Ford Mustang, and it was so awesome that Dodge offered that muscle with four doors, too.
Now, the Challenger is gone, and the Charger has entered a new generation. The neo-retro vibes are still there, and now the Challenger can be had with two doors or four doors. The new Charger did have a bit of a bumpy start when it hit the road in 2024. The first ones in the hands of the public were of the Daytona flavor, which meant that they were all-electric. The Daytona was plenty quirky, with its clever front wing and its silly Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust sound system that makes the EV as loud as an old Hellcat.
That EV launched to mixed reviews, and some Dodge fans felt saddened by the fact that the brand that once traded in all things V8 threw away internal combustion for its flagship muscle car. Whereas a Toyota RAV4 might be America’s default car, the Charger has long been the kind of car for people who worship at the altar of the Hemi V8 and live their lives a drag at a time. Dodge has long had the weirdly charming character of solving problems with horsepower, and doing so for rather accessible prices.
For those folks, the Charger Sixpack now exists. Dodge got the internal combustion gang back together for another generation of burnouts, donuts, exhaust noise, and hooliganism. Only this time, there isn’t a Hemi V8 under the hood, but a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six. You can get it with 420 thoroughbreds in the stable in the Sixpack R/T, or with 550 horses just begging to be set loose in the Scat Pack.
I’ve already seen some of these out in the wild, but I have not driven one yet. Dodge flew me out to Stowe, Vermont, so I could experience the Hurricane through some spectacular mountains. This is my first time ever in Vermont, and I already can’t stop laughing about how much people really want me to taste some syrup while I’m out here.
I’ve also been weirded out by the fact that I’m seeing so many Vermont license plates, but you know, actually in Vermont and not on one of my cars.
Anyway, the new straight-six Scat Pack, which hits 60 mph in about 3.9 seconds largely thanks to standard all-wheel drive, is faster than the older, more powerful V8 Scat Pack. But fear not, burnout fans, because Dodge lets you kill power to the front axle and lock only the front brakes so you can kill tires to your heart’s and budget’s content.
Now, the Sixpack Scat Pack has been out long enough that it has been reviewed by everyone from Throttle House to MotorWeek. But these are the first drives of the R/T and four-door. I see myself as a fresh set of eyes here. I have not driven the old Chargers, and I’m not a card-carrying member of the “Brotherhood of Muscle.” However, I do like fast cars, I do like fun cars, and I adore cars that figure out creative ways to make their drivers smile.
I already dig the style, the interior space, and the interior design of the new Chargers. So, now it’s time to see if the drive matches the looks.
For the next day, I will have access to the 420-horsepower Dodge Charger Sixpack R/T, the 550-horsepower Dodge Charger Scat Pack, a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak AWD, and a Dodge Charger Daytona. Apparently, I’m going to get to drive these big ol’ Dodges like most owners probably will. [Ed note: I assume this means “As if stolen.” – Pete]
What do you want to know about them?
How long can Dodge exist?
Are the Duke boys going to be able to outrun Roscoe?
How does the sound of the compare with the V8?
“Apparently, I’m going to get to drive these big ol’ Dodges like most owners probably will.”
I see. So you’re asking us to pass the hat for bail and impound money. Got it.
-Does the gas drivetrain make it any less shit?
-Do 4 doors justify the mammoth size of these things?
-Will this become Stellantis’ CyberTruck level failure? (more than the EV version already has)
Will it ever be offered with a six-speed manual?
Can it fit under a covered bridge? Also how much maple syrup and cheese can it fit with the seats folded down? As it’s AWD, does it have the ride height to traverse dirt roads (rally stages)?
Will it baby, as in will it wake up every baby on the block when the owner does burnouts at 1:00am?
For an actual question though I’d like your thoughts on if it can justify the price. Starting at over $50k is a massive price jump over the outgoing LX even if you consider how much power you get from the base model.
When will the carbureted, emissions deleted, straight pipe version be coming out?
When are they going to drop the price to a reasonable level?
I’d take a chance but they need to start at about 40K with no dealer added bullshit.
And would probably wait until about the 3rd year production model, that is if Dodge survives that long…
Is that white Charger an official test car?!
Or did you really just see that out in public? I never thought I’d see a Charger with a roof rack like that before, and it’s quite the sight!
Well, they do a bit of skiing at Stowe…
I have quite a ski park in my area too, but seeing a Charger with a rack on it isn’t something I ever expected to see.
I’ve seen plenty of common cars with them, just not a Dodge outside of Journey’s, Caravan’s, and like 1 Dart.
I’ve been to Vermont once and the only thing I brought home was some maple syrup. It seemed like a nice place for a peaceful, quiet life. I don’t much mind the cold, so I could see myself there one day. I could also see myself in one of these new Chargers. It has a lot in common with my S5. Turbo six power, AWD, and a hatch. I can’t get over the stigma though. I feel like I’m not the demo that Dodge is trying to attract. If they ever let go of their raw Americana burnout muscle machine tough guy marketing and stop catering exclusively to people who’s entire wardrobe consists of Nine-Line t-shirts, I might care more. Both the ICE and EV are really good looking cars with a lot to like (aside from the MSRP). They need to cast a wider net because neither offering is attractive to the people they are marketing to.
Two questions:
“Now, the Challenger is gone, and the Charger has entered a new generation. The neo-retro vibes are still there, and now the Challenger can be had with two doors or four doors.”
Hunh?
Seriously, I am curious about the new engines and whether they feel/sound anything like the big turbo’d I-6s from BMW.
Oh, and how the four-door Charger works out.
Not that I’m seriously considering one of these. I rented a Challenger in Hawaii about a year ago and was unimpressed.
My cousin bought a Jeep Wagoneer with the Hurricane and he much preferred the engine character to that of the Hemi v8. I am curious for your thoughts on the engine, does it suit the car, and can a top trim muscle car have anything other than a v8? I am glad that Dodge designed a new engine. This might sound like heresy but between the engine and the giant coupe body, on paper, this is starting to feel more like a euro GT car, which is more interesting to me than another retro muscle car. Also, does it feel well put together, or will it start squeaking and rattling before the warranty period is up.
Since you got an orange one: if you jump it through a barn or across a suspiciously Californian deep south ravine, does Waylon Jennings provide wry commentary?
Doe’s it freeze frame in mid-air over a commercial break?
Does the body magically snap back into perfect alignment as you drive away even after being seen to bend into worrying unnatural shapes upon landing those jumps?
Back seat & hatch back usability?
A lot is made about its weight and size (for good reason), but is it something you really notice in real life?
How buggy is it?
The interior looks great, but how well it is put together?
Can you please ask their pricing strategy? They raised their MSRP a lot compared to the previous generation, buts its kind of unique, I dont even recall whats the competition for the Charger 4 door nowadays. Cadillac CT5 is similar in pricing but less power, Ford doesnt sell sedans anymore, BMW/Audi/Mercedes are more premium.
Lower volume, higher profit? I saw it on person and it looks nice for sure.
Boost characteristics mostly. And how close it sounds to a 2JZ. And does it go pssh pssh and tsutsutsu?
But seriously, what the 4-door backseat is like compared to the coupe. Is it decently roomy, usable space? Or is it just easier access to cramped quarters?
I can answer that one since I drove a 2 door just this week. Back seat is big enough that I could fit my child’s rear facing seat behind me and it didn’t touch the front seat. I am 6ft tall. It is a pain to get said child in the seat though so a 4 door would have been better. Also it is a longer overall (bumper to bumper) vehicle than my wife’s 2 row Grand Cherokee, blew my mind.
Good to know.
What is the proper answer to the driver of a Volvo EX30 who is faster to the next stop light and then rolls down the window and asks “That thing got a Hemi?”
“But of course” he answered, in an outrageous accent.
I want to know how it compares to the EV? This question as the charger EV’s become used and down in price they could be a deal some day but as my next question will ask. Does it feel cheap or like typical Chrysler quality? As yeah if the EV does come down in price be nice to know if they are even reliable at all.
Is it a good car that’s taken an internet beating largely caused by the price, or does it actually stink?
I mostly want to know if you love my home state! Seems like an odd choice for a muscle car launch party. The entire state has a population of 650k and the Charger doesn’t look great for carrying muddy dogs or firewood.
Wait. This is the car for the Vermont trip????
I thought nothing could surprise me, but hey, I’m proven wrong. What a genuinely unlikely and bizarre place to test out a fleet of Chargers. I’m not sure if this is classic Stellantis nonsense, or a brilliant move. God knows they’ll stand out in Stowe, which is big time big money ski resort country.
I want to know about the sedan more than anything. When it comes to the future of the Charger, I want to know what it’s like as a good looking and useful family car, which is basically something that has totally ceased to exist of late. Is the backseat nice, or compromised?
Also, not sure what rubber they have on these, but take care on those roads. RWD plus typical Charger tires plus Vermont black ice = death.
Looking at the website, apparently they’re all AWD.
Oh wow, you’re right. That seems… really really weird to me. And a little surprising.
Also surprising, the starting price of 51k. Yowza. As I’ve said before, Dodge needs a volume selling lesser powertrain version of this, like they had before. I know people beat up on V6 Challengers, but Dodge sold a whole lot of these, and in my opinion there’s nothing wrong with that.
The most important question for any Dodge: How many 30 racks of Milwaukee Beast can you fit in the trunk?
Trick question.
This is an infinite loop.
Typical Dodge owner will consume beer cans when in-motion, and empties will be auto-ejected into passing culverts – so more cans can always be added.
c’mon now – this is Vermont…cases of Alchemist, Burlington Beer and Hill Farmstead are substituted
Something tells me Vermontonians aren’t the target market for this rolling gas station boner pill.