Expectations vs. Reality
Dodge is widely believed to be working on a Charger with a V8 under the hood, as evidenced by the Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak with a supercharged Hemi engine presented at the SEMA show. However, logic suggests that the company is also developing a more affordable version, which is likely to have half the cylinders.
New Engine for Various Models
Stellantis announced a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee and confirmed its appearance in other cars in the coming years. Among the possible candidates are the Ram mid-size pickup truck, as well as the new Charger.
The new Hurricane 4 Turbo in the version for the Grand Cherokee develops 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, which is significantly more powerful than the 2.0-liter engine in the Wrangler, which produces 270 hp and 295 lb-ft. Mercedes-AMG demonstrates the potential of such engines, getting over 400 hp from some of its 2.0-liter inline-fours.
Need for an Affordable Model
Dodge has not yet confirmed information about a base model Charger, but it is necessary to replace the outdated Pentastar V6, which produced 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in previous Chargers and Challengers. While the Hemi and Hellcat engines attracted attention, the V6 significantly outsold them, being popular with rental companies and budget-conscious buyers.
The base 2026 Charger model is the R/T with a 420 hp Hurricane 6 engine and a starting price of $49,995. It is significantly more affordable than the only electric option, the Charger Daytona Scat Pack, which costs over $75,000. However, this price is still too high for many brand fans who remember that the base Charger SXT with a V6 in 2023 cost less than $37,000, and the 2026 Mustang Ecoboost is available from $32,000.
Performance and Benefits
A Charger with a Hurricane Turbo 4 engine will likely accelerate to 60 mph in about six seconds, which is quite sufficient for everyday use. An additional advantage will be lower weight: compared to the Sixpack, which weighs 4,816 pounds, the four-cylinder version will have better handling and braking.
Historical Context
The idea of installing a four-cylinder engine in a Charger may seem like sacrilege to some, but it is not the first time: in the 1980s, the fifth-generation Charger was a front-wheel-drive subcompact hatchback with various four-cylinder engines, from a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter to a turbocharged 2.2-liter.
Would you buy a Charger with a four-cylinder engine if Dodge offered it for a price below $40,000, or do you consider such a step too radical?
The introduction of a four-cylinder engine into the Charger model could be a key step to expanding the audience and competing with models such as the Ford Mustang Ecoboost. It also reflects the general trend of automakers towards reducing engine displacement without losing performance, which is especially relevant in the context of increasing demands for environmental friendliness and fuel economy.