2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK Hits Tail of the Dragon

This past week, Dodge brought a select group of media out to Knoxville, Tennessee, for a first drive of the 2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK. But instead of unveiling the brand’s latest muscle car on a road course, Dodge chose the iconic Tail of the Dragon – the legendary stretch of U.S. Route 129 known for its 318 curves in just 11 miles. What better place to showcase the new Charger’s capabilities than one of the most technical and demanding roads in the country?

The day began with a deep dive into the SIXPACK Scat Pack at the Quarry Venue in Knoxville. Dodge Brand Chief Matt McAlear led the presentation, followed by design and engineering teams walking us through the car’s key elements – from the bold exterior styling to the advanced mechanical setup. Afterward, we headed to the parking lot to choose from a vibrant lineup of Chargers. My test car for the day? A striking two-door Scat Pack Plus in Peel Out, featuring the Blackout Package and 20×11-inch wheels wrapped in 305/35ZR20 all-season rubber.

The drive from Knoxville to the Tail of the Dragon gave me a solid sense of the SIXPACK’s on-road manners. The roads were fairly uneventful, but I was able to get comfortable with the car’s steering and braking characteristics, essential for gauging what to expect when attacking those 318 corners. With temperatures hovering around freezing and patches of road salt left from a recent snowfall, I approached the route with caution. Still, the SIXPACK handled the slick conditions with confidence, thanks in part to its advanced all-wheel-drive system.

As I entered the Tail of the Dragon, I switched to Sport mode, the setting that tightens up handling, increases steering feedback, sharpens throttle response and adjusts transmission behavior. I chose to take control in manual mode, keeping the car mostly in third gear, shifting to fourth only on longer, faster stretches.

Through the corners, the big Brembo brakes performed flawlessly. The car’s wide tires and all-wheel-drive setup delivered serious grip, even under high G-loads. Steering was precise and responsive, allowing me to place the car exactly where I wanted, while the Hurricane High Output engine confidently put down power coming out of each apex.

With very little traffic on the road early that Tuesday morning, I found myself progressively pushing harder. Even when I came into a corner a bit too hot and had to brake more aggressively, the SIXPACK stayed composed and predictable. The brakes showed no signs of fade, even after a full pass down and back up the mountain, impressive for any vehicle, let alone one tipping the scales at over 5,000 pounds with me in it.

On a road like this, handling matters more than horsepower. But with 550 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque on tap, the SIXPACK Scat Pack made sure it had the muscle to match its moves. As confidence grew, so did my throttle input exiting corners. Despite the salted pavement and scattered wet leaves, the car maintained traction without issue. That said, jumping on the throttle too early could cause some mild understeer, but with a bit of throttle finesse, I was able to rocket out of the bends with authority. On the short straightaways, the SIXPACK easily exceeded the posted 30 mph limit, and just as easily scrubbed off speed when the next corner approached. And let’s not forget the soundtrack, the Hurricane’s exhaust note is deep and aggressive, giving off a satisfying growl both at idle and under load.

Some enthusiasts raised eyebrows when they heard the 2026 Charger would be larger than its predecessor, but any concerns about size or weight disappear the moment you start carving corners. No, it’s not a Viper ACR, but for a muscle car of this size, it’s an absolute thrill. It feels planted, powerful and purpose-built for performance. The steering is responsive, the suspension dialed and the twin-turbo Hurricane delivers punchy, usable power throughout the rev range.

Simply put, the SIXPACK Scat Pack can dance – even on America’s most twisty, challenging stretch of asphalt. Check out this 8-minute video for a closer look at the drive.

Following the mountain drive, I headed to Knoxville Dragway for some 1/8-mile testing. We used a separate group of cars for track duty – red, blue and silver SIXPACKs that Dodge staff carefully monitored throughout the day. Every run included a passenger (an instructor), a nearly full tank of fuel and stock all-season tires, but that didn’t stop the SIXPACK from laying down solid times.

Equipped with Launch Control and Line Lock, the Charger SIXPACK is ready to party at the drag strip. Burnouts weren’t necessary thanks to the AWD system, but for those disappointed that the Charger Daytona BEV can’t do a standing burnout, the SIXPACK delivers. Big time.

Watch it in action here.

Launch RPM is adjustable up to 3,200, and I found that full-send launches at 3,200 gave me the best results. I tried lower launch points between 2,200 and 2,500, but every one of my fastest passes came at the 3,200 mark. Every run landed in the 7-second range for the 1/8 mile, with my best being a 7.927 at 91.18 mph, and my slowest a 7.999 at 90.75 mph.

That translates to about 12.3–12.4 seconds in the quarter-mile, right in line with Dodge’s claimed 12.2-second time. Keep in mind, I had a 200-lb passenger. In drag racing terms, that extra weight adds roughly two-tenths to your ET, meaning the car was performing exactly as expected. Watch the run from inside the car.

My final test was a drift course in a wide-open parking lot. Dodge instructors took us through the setup, then handed us the wheel. With rear-drive mode enabled through Sport settings, I quickly got the hang of it. Initiate the drift with a flick of the wheel and a stomp on the throttle, and the car responds instantly. The steering provides razor-sharp control, letting you hold the slide with confidence. Get too throttle-happy, and the car will spin, but find the sweet spot, and it’s a grin-inducing experience. While most owners won’t be doing donuts in a parking lot, it was a fun way to wrap up the day and show just how versatile the new Charger can be.

In the end, the 2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK Scat Pack delivers everything you expect from a modern muscle car – and then some. It’s powerful, planted and surprisingly agile for its size. Whether you’re commuting, canyon carving, launching at the strip or even playing on a drift pad, the SIXPACK Scat Pack proves it’s not just back – it’s better.