Is a 2006 Dodge Charger a V6 or V8?
The 2006 Dodge Charger could be either V6 or V8, depending on the trim. Base models used V6 engines, while performance-oriented versions employed V8s.
During the 2006 model year, the Charger lineup on the LX platform offered multiple engine choices across different trims. The exact engine in a given car depends on the factory options and badge. The following breakdown covers the commonly encountered configurations from that year and helps explain how to identify which engine your charger has.
V6 engine options in the 2006 Charger
The following V6 configurations were commonly found in base and mid-range Chargers in 2006.
- 2.7L V6 — a smaller, entry-level engine found in some earlier configurations (roughly around 170–190 hp).
- 3.5L V6 — a larger V6 used in mid-range trims (roughly around 250 hp).
In short, if your Charger wears a base or mid-range badge and has one of these V6 engines, it is not a V8. The 2.7L and 3.5L V6 options were aimed at efficiency and everyday driving rather than high performance.
V8 engine options in the 2006 Charger
The Charger also offered V8 power for higher-performance variants, including two Hemi options.
- 5.7L Hemi V8 — used in the R/T variant (roughly 340–345 hp in 2006 models).
- 6.1L Hemi V8 — used in the high-performance SRT8 variant (around 425 hp).
These V8 options provided notably stronger acceleration and higher performance credentials compared with the V6 options. The presence of a badge such as RT or SRT8 typically indicates one of these V8 engines.
How to tell which engine your 2006 Charger has
If you’re unsure which engine is under the hood, try these quick checks: look at the badging on the trunk or grille (RT and SRT8 indicate V8), inspect the engine bay for the displacement stamped on the valve cover, or verify the VIN/window sticker; the engine displacement and emission code listed there will confirm whether you have a V6 or a Hemi V8.
Summary
The 2006 Dodge Charger offered both V6 and V8 powertrains. Base and mid-range models typically relied on 2.7L or 3.5L V6 engines, while performance-oriented trims used 5.7L or 6.1L Hemi V8 powertrains. Identifying the engine by badge, under-hood markings, or official documents will tell you exactly which engine your particular Charger has.
