The Old Guard Versus the New Wave: A Head-to-Head Showdown in the Muscle Car Arena
By Jack Fitzgerald – Published March 28, 2026
We’ve had the chance to put the all-new two-door Charger Sixpack through its paces, and naturally, our thoughts immediately turned to the departed but unforgettable Challenger. In our testing, the V-8-powered Challenger emerged with superior grip and a shorter stopping distance from 70 mph, even as the six-cylinder Charger secured a victory in the 0–60 mph sprint.
Currently, the gas-fed Charger is at a disadvantage: it’s significantly heavier and lacks the option for summer tires, a feature readily available on the Charger Daytona EV. However, a Dodge representative confirmed that these grippier tires will be available for the gasoline model later this year. Still, this doesn’t alter our test results for the time being.
The Evolution of American Power
The Challenger officially left the lineup after the 2023 model year, yet in the automotive world, it lingers. It’s practically everywhere you look, especially when the two-door, Sixpack-equipped 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus arrives at our facilities. Given that the Challenger has been on our minds, we decided it was the perfect time to compare the latest model’s performance figures with the data we recorded back in 2019 for the Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody.
Powering the Legacy: The Core of the Comparison
The most striking difference between these two era-defining vehicles is the shift in powertrain philosophy. Dodge’s iconic muscle cars no longer offer the V-8. The gas-fed Charger we tested, specifically the Scat Pack variant, is powered by a 550-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine, which Dodge markets as the “Hurricane.” In contrast, the Challenger model we are comparing it against was equipped with a 485-horsepower naturally aspirated 6.4-liter V-8, famously known as the 392 Hemi. This represents a fundamental divergence in automotive engineering and a significant step into forced induction for Dodge’s performance division.
A Disappointing Performance Gap
It’s never ideal when a new model falls short of its predecessor, and unfortunately, that’s precisely what we observed in several key performance benchmarks between the Charger Sixpack and the discontinued Challenger.
On the skidpad, the Charger only managed a grip reading of 0.90 g, significantly trailing the Challenger’s 0.96 g result. A similar pattern emerged in our braking tests. The Challenger brought the car to a complete stop from 70 mph in a distance of 148 feet, while the Sixpack required 177 feet to achieve the same result.
Analyzing the Performance Disparity: Tires and Weight
Digging deeper into the technical specifications and specifications sheet, the reasons for the Challenger’s superior performance in these two tests become clear.
As mentioned, Dodge does not currently offer the Charger Sixpack with summer tires. Ironically, these are available on the Charger Daytona EV, suggesting a staggered approach by the manufacturer. A Dodge spokesperson informed us that the stickier tires will be available for the gas-fed model later this year. Despite this promise, it did not alter our test results for the time being.
In addition to the tire disadvantage, the Charger has gained considerable weight in its latest iteration. The Charger Sixpack Scat Pack we tested weighed 4,889 pounds, a substantial increase compared to the 4,352 pounds of the Challenger R/T Scat Pack. Pairing the Charger’s 537-pound weight penalty with its all-season tires paints a clear picture of why its performance metrics lag behind its predecessor.
The Final Verdict: Who Reigns Supreme?
In the arena of muscle cars, straight-line speed is often the deciding factor. So, let’s dive into the acceleration data.
Despite its considerable weight penalty, the Charger Sixpack reached 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, positioning it two-tenths of a second faster than the V-8 Challenger. Furthermore, the Hurricane-powered Charger reached 100 mph in 8.8 seconds, a noticeable improvement over the Hemi-equipped Challenger’s 9.3-second run.
The new twin-turbo Charger also proved quicker in the quarter-mile, completing the sprint in 12.1 seconds at 116 mph, while the Challenger took 12.4 seconds at 114 mph. However, despite the Charger’s impressive launch, the Challenger’s beefy Hemi V-8 was the more responsive engine. We measured a 5–60 mph time of 4.2 seconds in the Challenger versus 4.8 seconds in the Charger.
The Debate Over Definition
The debate over what constitutes a “muscle car” has been raging since the segment was first conceived. Your definition is certainly going to differ from your neighbor Fred’s, and his will be different from ours. That said, nearly every muscle car possesses impressive straight-line acceleration, and while it may not have the right number of cylinders, the new two-door Charger Sixpack Scat Pack is at least quicker than an equivalent V-8 predecessor.
What This Means for You
Navigating the EV Transition and the Six-Cylinder Revolution
This comparison isn’t just about specs; it’s about a seismic shift in automotive culture. Dodge is positioning the Hurricane engine not just as a replacement, but as an evolution. The question now is whether this “evolution” is a worthy successor or a compromise that sacrifices the soul of American muscle for efficiency and emissions compliance.
Should You Buy, Wait, or Rent/Invest?
Should You Buy Now?
If you are a pure performance enthusiast, wait. The Charger Scat Pack’s current lack of summer tires significantly hinders its grip, and its considerable weight advantage over the outgoing Challenger explains the weaker skidpad and braking results. If you can wait for the summer tire option (expected later this year), you will likely see a significant improvement in the car’s handling and stopping capabilities.
Should You Rent?
Renting the Charger Sixpack could be a valuable experience to understand the new “Hurricane” architecture. If you are interested in the long-term reliability of this engine, renting allows you to test it without the commitment of a purchase. This is especially important as twin-turbo engines can be more temperamental than naturally aspirated ones, demanding higher quality fuel and stricter maintenance schedules.
Should You Invest?
If you’re considering investing in a classic V-8 muscle car, act fast and do your homework. The Scat Pack Challenger and Charger are becoming rarer, but the true collector’s items remain the high-performance trims with limited-edition engines. These cars are not depreciating assets; they are becoming collectible assets. The market for classic American muscle is incredibly volatile, so research thoroughly and consult with industry experts before making a purchase.
Best Financial Strategies Right Now (2026)
Evaluating the Scat Pack Six-Cylinder as an Investment
The ‘First Edition’ Effect (or Lack Thereof)
For the 2026 model year, Dodge made a significant departure from its history by offering the “Sixpack” as the new “base” engine for enthusiasts, replacing the naturally aspirated Hemi. While first editions of new models historically hold their value well due to scarcity and novelty, this is less likely to be the case for the Charger Scat Pack.
Real-World Insight: In my decade of experience tracking the automotive market, “Launch Edition” models are often highly sought after, but this applies more to limited-run specialty vehicles. The Charger Sixpack is being positioned as the volume entry-level performance engine for the new generation, making it less of a collector’s item and more of a transitional model.
Maintenance Cost Analysis: Hemi vs. Hurricane
The move from a naturally aspirated V-8 to a twin-turbo six-cylinder has significant maintenance cost implications:
| Feature | 2019 Challenger Hemi V-8 (392) | 2026 Charger Sixpack (Hurricane) | Implications |
| :— | :— | :— | :— |
| Engine Oil | High volume, high quality | High volume, Synthetic Only | Synthetic is more expensive, requires precise changes |
| Ignition | Simple spark plugs | Turbochargers | Turbos are high-maintenance components, sensitive to heat and fuel |
| Fuel Requirements | Premium (91+ Octane) | Premium (91+ Octane) | Similar fuel costs, but the Hurricane is more sensitive |
| Engine Bay Complexity | Lower complexity, easier access | Higher complexity (twin turbos) | More difficult and expensive to service |
Financial Takeaway: While the initial purchase price might be similar, the long-term operational cost of the Hurricane engine is likely to be higher due to its complexity and need for synthetic fluids. Buyers should budget an additional 15–20% for maintenance and potential repairs on the new powertrain.
Cost Breakdown / Pricing Impact (2026)
When comparing the 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody with the 2026 Charger Scat Pack Sixpack, the price differential reflects the evolution of technology and safety features.
2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack (Widebody)
