Does Dodge Charger have automatic transmission?
The Dodge Charger uses automatic transmissions in its modern lineup, and the current generation is automatic-only. The latest Chargers (2015–2023) come with an eight-speed automatic, and no factory manual option is offered on current production models. Manual gearboxes were available on some older Chargers, but those options are not part of today’s lineup, and production for the Charger largely ended with the 2023 model year.
Current transmission setup and what to expect
What you get if you buy a modern Charger is an automatic transmission optimized for performance, with paddle shifters on most models and various drive modes. The eight-speed automatic pairs with the V6 and V8 engines, including the high-performance variants, and is designed for quick, smooth shifts and strong acceleration.
Transmission options by era
Over the Charger’s long history, transmission choices have varied by generation. The modern era uses an eight-speed automatic across all trims; earlier generations offered manual options in some configurations, but those are no longer available on current models.
- 1960s–1970s Chargers offered manual transmissions as a common option, alongside automatics.
- 1990s–2000s Chargers on the LX platform typically used automatic transmissions, with manual options being rare and limited to specific packages in some years.
- 2015–2023 Charger uses an eight-speed automatic (TorqueFlite) across all trims, including V6, Hemi V8, and SRT variants; no factory manual option.
In practice, today’s buyers should expect an automatic transmission on any new Dodge Charger. If you’re looking at older models, you may encounter a manual gearbox, but that option does not apply to the current production line.
What transmission does the current Charger use?
All current Chargers use an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup is paired with every engine choice—from the 3.6L V6 to high-performance V8 variants—often with paddle shifters for manual-like control. There is no manual transmission offered on the current lineup.
Do any Chargers have manual transmissions?
In the modern era, no. The current Charger lineup is automatic-only. Manual gearboxes were offered on some older Chargers, but they are not available on 2015–2023 models or later. If you buy a used Charger from earlier generations, you may find examples with a manual, but not from the latest production.
Summary
Yes—the Dodge Charger today is equipped with an automatic transmission across all trims. The current-generation Charger uses an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters and no manual option. Manual transmissions exist only in older, non-current Chargers; contemporary production has moved away from manuals. For buyers, this means performance and shifting behavior are tied to modern automatics rather than traditional manual gearboxes.
