Is a Dodge Charger a 6 cylinder?
The Dodge Charger is available with a six-cylinder engine in its base configuration, but it also comes in multiple V8 variants. So, while a Charger can be a six-cylinder, not every model is; engine choices depend on the trim and year.
Engine options through the Charger’s history
Here's a concise look at the main powerplants that have powered the Charger, highlighting the cylinder count and typical power output by family.
- 3.6L Pentastar V6 — the common base engine on many SXT/GT trims, typically producing around 292–300 horsepower with newer tuning.
- 5.7L Hemi V8 — available on R/T trims, generally around 370 horsepower, with variations across model years.
- 6.4L Hemi V8 (392) — used on Scat Pack and certain performance variants, about 485 horsepower.
- 6.2L supercharged Hemi V8 — found on Hellcat models, rated at 707 horsepower (with higher-output Redeye variants reaching around 797–807 horsepower in recent years).
In practice, this means the Charger is not strictly a six-cylinder vehicle. Its base and mainstream trims run on a V6, while higher-performance models use V8 powertrains to deliver markedly greater acceleration and top-end capability.
Current lineup and what to expect
As the Charger matured through its generations, the powertrain mix stayed consistent: a six-cylinder option for daily driving and several V8 options for performance-focused variants. This is how the typical trim stack breaks down in recent years.
- Base and mid-level trims (SXT/GT) commonly use the 3.6L V6.
- Performance-oriented trims (R/T, Scat Pack) employ larger V8s (5.7L or 6.4L).
- Top-tier variants (Hellcat/Redeye) use the 6.2L supercharged V8 with the highest output.
Note: Dodge has signaled a pivot toward electrification in the broader lineup, but the current Charger generation continued to offer both V6 and V8 options, with horsepower clearly separated by trim.
Summary
The Dodge Charger can be a six-cylinder vehicle when equipped with the 3.6L V6, which represents the base configuration in many trims. However, the Charger lineup also includes several V8 options that deliver substantially more power, so whether a Charger is a six-cylinder depends on the specific model year and trim you’re considering. Always verify the engine listed on the vehicle’s window sticker or official spec sheet for certainty.
