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The Six-Pack vs. The V-8: 2026 Charger vs. 2019 Challenger – Testing the New Muscle
In the evolution of American muscle, some transitions are smoother than others. The 2023 model year marked a watershed moment for Dodge, closing the chapter on the Hemi V-8 engine that had defined the Charger and Challenger for decades. But nostalgia dies hard. When Dodge unveiled the all-new two-door 2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack, the immediate question on every performance enthusiast’s mind was: How does this new-generation muscle stack up against the final-generation V-8 cars that left the lineup just three years prior?
As a long-time automotive analyst who has lived through the peak of the Hemi era and witnessed the ongoing electric and turbocharged revolution, the 2026 Charger Sixpack Scat Pack Plus represents a fascinating turning point. In the world of performance auto parts and sports car reviews, Dodge has clearly leaned into modern engine technology, ditching traditional displacement for forced induction. Yet, with the legendary 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody still fresh in our minds—and increasingly available in the used muscle car market—we needed concrete data.
At the Car and Driver Testing Hub, we don’t rely on speculation; we rely on performance metrics. We took the 2026 Charger Sixpack and pitted its twin-turbo Hurricane engine against the naturally aspirated Hemi that put the used 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT / SRT Hellcat on the map. Here’s what our independent testing revealed about how the new wave of Dodge performance compares to the raw power of the past.
Under the Hood: 550 HP Twin-Turbo Six vs. 485 HP Naturally Aspirated V-8
The fundamental difference driving this comparison is the powertrain. The Charger has gone from displacement to forced induction in its latest iteration. The gas-fed 2026 Charger Scat Pack we tested is powered by the Hurricane twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. This advanced power plant utilizes advanced turbo technology to deliver a robust 550 horsepower. It’s a significant engineering feat, packing V-8-level performance into a more efficient package, which has been a major talking point in the 2026 automotive news landscape.
In stark contrast, the Challenger model we benchmarked, the 2019 R/T Scat Pack, was equipped with the iconic 6.4-liter HEMI V-8. While now a legacy engine, this HEMI engine performance delivered 485 horsepower. The naturally aspirated engine offers a linear, visceral power delivery that enthusiasts often laud, but it lacks the torque-rich grunt that a modern turbocharger can provide, especially at lower RPMs. Understanding engine comparisons like this is critical for buyers considering used vs new cars and evaluating performance vehicles for sale.
The First Impression: Curb Weight and Tire Technology
One of the most surprising discrepancies in our testing surfaced immediately: curb weight. When manufacturers redesign popular models, weight management is often the greatest challenge, particularly when integrating advanced safety systems, battery components (though the Charger is gas-fed), and improved aerodynamics.
The 2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack Scat Pack weighed in at a substantial 4,889 pounds on our scales. This is over 500 pounds more than the previous generation. For comparison, the 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody we tested tipped the scales at 4,352 pounds. This significant weight difference has a ripple effect across all performance metrics, from acceleration to braking and cornering stability. For consumers navigating new Charger prices or looking at used Challenger deals, this weight increase suggests a potentially heavier, more comfort-oriented ride compared to the agile feel of older Challengers.
Furthermore, a critical limitation in the tire setup hampered the Charger during our testing. Currently, Dodge does not offer the gas-fed Charger Sixpack with summer tires, which are crucial for achieving maximum grip on dry pavement. Interestingly, summer tires are available on the Charger Daytona EV model. A Dodge spokesperson confirmed that summer tires will be an option for the gas model later this year, but this was not the case during our initial assessment. Without the superior grip of high-performance summer rubber, the Charger was placed at a disadvantage from the starting line, affecting handling and braking metrics—a point we’ll discuss in detail below. This is vital information for anyone shopping for performance car tires or used sports cars today.
On the Track: Grip and Braking Power
In performance benchmarks, particularly handling and stopping power, the heavier curb weight and lack of summer tires put the 2026 Charger Sixpack at a clear disadvantage compared to the 2019 Challenger.
Skidpad Results
The skidpad test measures the vehicle’s lateral grip while cornering. With a standard all-season tire setup and increased mass, the Charger recorded a score of just 0.90 g. In comparison, the lighter 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody achieved 0.96 g, showcasing superior lateral adhesion and stability.
Expert Insight: From my perspective, as someone who has tested dozens of performance vehicles over the past decade, a 0.96 g lateral acceleration is excellent and places a car in truly high-performance territory. A score below 0.90 g indicates the chassis is working harder to manage weight, and the tires are struggling to find grip. While Dodge likely optimized the new Charger’s suspension, the tire compound and curb weight were simply too challenging to overcome in a static testing scenario.
Braking Efficiency
The difference was even more dramatic in our braking tests. When stopping from 70 mph, the 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack required only 148 feet to come to a complete standstill. The 2026 Charger Sixpack, however, took a concerning 177 feet. This 29-foot difference is substantial and highlights the physics working against the new model.
Financial Implication: This isn’t just a performance metric; it’s a car safety and cost of ownership consideration. Cars that require longer stopping distances are harder on their brakes (leading to potentially higher auto repair costs) and potentially less safe in emergency scenarios. For buyers looking for the best sports car insurance rates, a shorter stopping distance typically correlates with lower risk scores.
The Muscle Car Essential: Acceleration
Despite the deficit in handling and braking, the world of muscle car performance often prioritizes straight-line speed above all else. In this category, the new Charger demonstrates that its turbocharged engine technology doesn’t just look good on paper—it translates to measurable speed.
0-60 MPH Sprint
Despite being significantly heavier, the 2026 Charger Sixpack blasted from 0 to 60 mph in a remarkable 3.7 seconds. This put it two-tenths of a second ahead of the 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack, which recorded a 3.9-second time.
Quarter-Mile Domination
The advantage continued into the quarter-mile. The Charger hit the finish line in 12.1 seconds at 116 mph, outperforming the Challenger’s 12.4-second run at 114 mph. This raw acceleration capability ensures that even with its weight and tire disadvantages, the 2026 Charger delivers the headline-grabbing speed that Dodge fans expect.
Industry Observation: This is where the modern engine technology truly shines. The torque delivery of the twin-turbo Hurricane engine is immediate. Unlike a naturally aspirated engine that needs to build RPMs to access peak power, the Hurricane provides immediate grunt off the line. This is a key benefit for owners of new Chargers for sale in the Miami, FL, or Los Angeles, CA markets, where local car dealerships frequently promote this instant acceleration.
Real-World Driving Dynamics: Responsiveness and Torque
While peak-to-peak numbers are important for headline comparisons, real-world driving impressions often reveal where a car truly excels or falters in day-to-day driving. In this regard, the character of the two engines diverges significantly.
The 2026 Charger’s twin-turbo engine provided a strong mid-range punch, but we measured a 5-to-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. This suggests that while the engine is powerful, the weight and the nature of turbo lag might temper its immediate responsiveness compared to a larger-displacement V-8.
The 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack, despite its lower horsepower rating, felt considerably livelier in the 5-to-60 mph range, posting a time of 4.2 seconds. This difference highlights the linear power delivery of the naturally aspirated Hemi—torque is accessible across a broader swath of the powerband without the need for turbos to spool up.
Expert Insight: In my years testing these cars, that mid-range responsiveness is what separates a fun street car from a car that feels responsive during a hard pass. While the 0-60 time favors the new Charger, the ease with which the old Hemi responded felt more natural on the street. Buyers considering new vs used sports
