For years, enthusiasts have been mourning the slow death of the affordable muscle car. Between rising prices, disappearing V8s, and an industry sprinting toward electrification, it felt like the dream of owning a brand-new performance coupe under $50,000 was officially over.
And then Dodge pulled a move nobody saw coming.
Meet the 2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK R/T — a 420-horsepower, twin-turbo inline-six muscle machine that starts under 50 grand and puts power back in the hands of everyday drivers. It’s gas-powered, AWD-capable, and fast enough to make the competition sweat. More importantly, it proves Dodge hasn’t forgotten the people who built the muscle-car world in the first place: enthusiasts who want thrills without a luxury-car price tag.
This isn’t just a new Charger. It’s the revival of affordable American performance.
A New Era of Muscle: Twin Turbo Power at a Shocking Price
Dodge calls it the “People’s Muscle Car,” and for once, the marketing actually fits. The SIXPACK R/T is the entry point to Dodge’s three-part “Power of Choice” lineup — gas-powered R/T, 550-hp gas Scat Pack, and the electric Daytona. But the showstopper is that this entry model is no slouch.
Under the hood lives the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six, the Standard Output variant of Stellantis’s new twin-turbo mill. Output is impressive:
- 420 horsepower
- 468 lb-ft of torque (from just 2,500 rpm)
- Counter-rotating turbos for near-zero lag
- Standard all-wheel drive with a trick RWD mode
For context, that’s more standard horsepower than any new muscle car currently on sale — more than the EcoBoost Mustang, more than the Camaro V6 (RIP), and more than the Challenger V6 ever dreamed of.
Even better? The price.
- Coupe: $49,995
- Sedan: $51,995
(Before destination fees)
That officially makes the 2026 Charger SIXPACK R/T the only new 400+ hp performance car under $50k in America. Dodge is planting a flag where Ford and Chevy have left a vacuum.
Performance That Delivers Real Muscle-Car Feel
A great price is one thing, but does it move like a proper Charger?
Short answer: yes — violently.
Dodge claims a 0–60 time of 5.0 seconds flat and a quarter mile of 13.6 seconds, with a claimed top speed of 168 mph. These aren’t just decent numbers — they’re on par with V8 muscle from just a few years ago.
All-wheel drive is standard, but the real magic is the switchable Rear-Wheel Drive mode, which opens the center coupling and sends all power exclusively to the rear wheels. Translation?
Burnouts are absolutely still on the menu.
This isn’t some neutered turbo six pretending to be a muscle car. Dodge engineered the SIXPACK R/T specifically to feel rowdy, responsive, and willing to play — even as the industry gets cleaner, greener, and quieter.
Options That Let You Build Your Perfect Muscle Machine
Dodge didn’t stop at raw power. The SIXPACK R/T can be spec’d into something seriously special.
R/T Plus Package
If you want tech and comfort without breaking the bank, the Plus trim adds:
- Head-up display
- Surround View 360° cameras
- Upgraded LED lighting
- Heated/ventilated features depending on configuration
It’s the sweet spot for buyers who want muscle with daily-drivable convenience.
Performance Handling Group
This is where the fun really begins:
- Launch control
- Line lock burnout mode
- Performance-tuned suspension
- 20-inch wheels
- Grip-boosting brake and chassis upgrades
This is the spec enthusiasts will target — the one that transforms the SIXPACK R/T from a quick commuter into a track-capable bruiser.
A Muscle Car for Everyone — Literally
Dodge CEO Matt McAlear summarized the mission perfectly:
“The SIXPACK R/T is all about attitude and fun — not just tech.”
This car isn’t meant to be a replacement for the Scat Pack or Hellcat. It’s meant to be the on-ramp to Dodge performance. A way to get younger buyers, budget-minded enthusiasts, and first-time muscle-car shoppers into the brand without forcing them into a $70k+ payment.
Production starts Q1 2026 and order books are officially open now. Given the vacuum left by Chevrolet and Ford’s lack of sub-$50k performance coupes, Dodge may have accidentally created the last truly accessible modern muscle car.
Final Verdict: Muscle Isn’t Dead — It’s Just More Accessible
The 2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK R/T isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about redefining what muscle cars look like in an era of rising costs and shrinking options. Twin-turbo power, real performance, all-weather capability, and a price that feels almost rebellious in today’s market — it’s a bold, welcome move.
Affordable muscle didn’t die. Dodge just rewrote the rules.
So what’ll it be?
Daily the SIXPACK R/T or save for that 550-horse Scat Pack?
Sound off in the comments — you know the drill.
