Car Reviews
Dodge Charger R/T Plus: TWIN-TURBO INLINE SEX
Dodge Charger R/T Plus
TWIN-TURBO INLINE SEX
In early November, at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Stellantis exec Tim Kunsiskis – serving as head of American Brands – announced the return of Dodge to NASCAR Cup Series Racing. With that, Dodge rejoins an All-American series it last participated in during the 2012 season, when the Blue Deuce Dodge Charger took the NASCAR championship. That’s a long time to be away from stock car racing, and – for that matter – it’s been awhile since a Dodge Charger was seen on my driveway.
A ’26 Charger – in the guise of a R/T Plus – returned to me in the last week of October. In its White Knuckle exterior with black accents, sitting on a 121-inch wheelbase and stretching almost 207 inches, it exuded a Hesgeth-mandated dose of testosterone. You can forget NHTSA safety ratings – this spec was approved by the Department of War. To be sure, it sits on a platform not built for Ukraine or Iran; instead we’re in Iraq, hunting for Saddam.
The Charger, now in its 8th generation, is little different from those underpinnings introduced in 2005. But if you continue to enjoy an analog driving experience, the Charger R/T Plus is about as close as you’ll get on a new car showroom in 2026. Beyond the long wheelbase and extended length is a curb weight of just under 5,000 pounds, putting it in Grand Cherokee territory. But then, its 4-door configuration is equipped with a hatch, and with that rear seat folded you could throw in a twin mattress. In short, regard this as a low slung SUV; God and the ghost of Curtis Turner only know how many cases of ‘spirits’ could be transported from one state line to another.
Visually, if you can get beyond the size (it’s six inches longer, wider and almost a ½-ton heavier than its 2006 counterpart) you’ll enjoy its muscular proportions and true giddy-up attitude. I’m not sure I’d opt for the ‘White Knuckle’ paint (the metallic offerings seem to have more aesthetic punch, while I’d order Peel Out orange) but there’s nothing to offend here, and on that aforementioned driveway the neighborhood took notice. But it is a large footprint, and its chassis tuning doesn’t reduce that physical mass.
Inside, it’s as if character actor Buck Taylor (look him up!) had been handed the role of Buck Rogers. The black interior is almost oppressive, but the performance-oriented buckets – covered in a leatherette/suede combo – are supportive, and there’s comfortable room in back for two overfed adults or three height/weight proportional kiddos. In front of the driver is just over 10 inches of over-the-road display, while infotainment is nestled within a 12.5-inch touchscreen display.
Outward visibility is reasonable, and that folding rear seat is an absolute win if you and your significant other are plugged into travel and recreation. With the rear seat up you have 23 cubic feet of storage, while folded you have 37 cubic feet. You won’t transport a loveseat from Crate & Barrel, but you can go crazy with the flat boxes from Ikea.
Under the hood you’d have ample historical reason to expect a Hemi V8, and that could still happen. But for now, enjoy three liters of twin turbo inline six, which Dodge’s marketing mavens have dubbed a Sixpack. (Of course they have…). The top dog in the Scat Pack trim delivers 550 horsepower, while our test R/T gives you 420 horses and 468 lb-ft of torque. That’s up from the last 5.7 liter Hemi of 2023, but then, this Charger outweighs that Charger by 500+ pounds. You can’t always get what you want. On today’s Dodge showroom you often get more.
An inline six, however, was under the hood of the legendary Jag-u-ar E-Type, and has powered any number of BMW’s high-performance sedans. The configuration is inherently balanced and – if not given the plastic engine cover bestowed on it by the engineering team – is visually interesting. But it also sits taller than a V8, which would explain the Charger’s elevated hood height.
Behind the wheel the Charger is everything you’d expect and – as referenced – a few hundred pounds more. There’s no escaping the mass, but then, there’s no escaping the lack of competitive sedans from the domestic OEMs. Perhaps the Cadillac showroom comes the closest, but if the girlfriend doesn’t carry Gucci you probably won’t belong.
And then, of course, is the price of admission. At a base of $52K the Charger R/T is a steal. Add, however, the Performance Handling group at $3,000 and the Customer Preferred Package at just under $5K, and you’re very quickly approaching the as-tested price of $67,160. The good news: Online prices suggest a real purchase price $10K back of that, which should make the credit union more comfortable.
Available as either a 2-door or that as-tested 4-door, and with AWD standard, the Charger is a compelling aberration in 2026. Its 17 City/26 Highway EPA estimate is predictable, while its 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds is genuinely entertaining. It is, in short, a time capsule – and easier to own than Marty McFly’s DeLorean. Opposite the Pacifica in your garage it’d provide a work/life balance…
SPECIFICATIONS – DODGE CHARGER R/T PLUS
Base price/as tested: $51,995/$67,160
Powertrain: Twin-Turbocharged 3.0 liter DOHC inline-4, 420 hp @ 5200 rpm and 468 lb-ft of torque @ 2500 rpm
Overall length: 206.6 inches. Wheelbase: 121 inches
Curb weight: 4900 lbs. (est.) Cargo volume behind f/r: 37/23 cubic feet
