The V6 Charger is equipped with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. It’s the standard powertrain for the base and mid-level trims, paired with an eight‑speed automatic transmission and available rear- or all‑wheel drive.
The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6: core details
To understand what powers the V6 Charger, it helps to know the engine’s fundamentals. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a modern, lightweight V6 with dual overhead cams, 24 valves, and variable valve timing. It typically delivers roughly 292–300 horsepower and about 260 lb-ft of torque, depending on the model year and specific tuning. Most configurations pair this engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offer either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
Below is a concise rundown of the key specifications you’re likely to encounter on a V6 Charger.
- Displacement: 3.6 liters
- Engine type: V6, DOHC, 24 valves, variable valve timing
- Fuel delivery: direct injection (with modern refinements across model years)
- Power: approximately 292–300 hp (year/model dependent)
- Torque: approximately 260 lb-ft
- Transmission: eight-speed automatic
- Drive: rear-wheel drive standard; all-wheel drive available on several trims
In practice, these specifications give the V6 Charger a balanced mix of everyday usability and spirited acceleration, without venturing into the higher-end performance territory of the V8 Hellcat and related variants.
Context within the Charger lineup
While the V6 Pentastar powers the base and mid-range Charger models, higher-performance variants lean on larger V8 engines. The R/T, and all models above it, have historically offered V8 options such as the 5.7-liter Hemi and the 6.4-liter V8 in various packages. In the final years of the model’s run, the V6 remained the standard choice for the SXT and GT trims, with enthusiasts often seeking the extra torque and exhaust note of the V8s for peak performance.
Notes on availability: the Charger’s engine lineup varied by model year, with updates improving efficiency and refinement. As the model aged, Dodge emphasized the V6 as a practical, capable baseline while keeping higher-output V8s for performance-focused buyers. In the broader context, Dodge also flirted with hybridization and performance editions, but the core V6 specification described here represents the backbone of the Charger’s V6 configuration.
Model-year and feature nuances (high-level)
Over the years, some editions of the 3.6L Pentastar in the Charger included refinements such as improved fuel economy and technology upgrades. Availability of AWD, transmission tuning, and minor power/torque adjustments can vary by year and trim. If you’re buying used, verify the exact figures for the specific year and trim you’re considering.
Summary
The classic answer remains: the V6 Charger runs on a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. It’s a modern, capable engine designed for a strong blend of everyday driving and confident acceleration, paired with an eight-speed automatic and available AWD. For those seeking more horsepower, Dodge offered V8 options in higher trims, making the 3.6L V6 the sensible, all-around choice in the Charger lineup before production evolved toward other configurations in its final years.