Dodge Avenger vs Dodge Charger

More commonly known for its minivans and performance cars, Dodge is not a name one would readily associate with the family sedan market. The American automaker seeks to change that with the midsize, five-passenger Avenger.

The name “Avenger” was originally used for a sleek Dodge coupe, sold from 1995 to 2000, but this Avenger arrives for the 2008 model year with muscle car-inspired styling and assures it will stand out in a crowded parking lot of cookie-cutter sedans. It is also one of the few family sedans for this model year to offer available all-wheel drive.

It doesn’t have a V8, but the 2026 Dodge Charger does have 550 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged SIXPACK High Output inline-six engine. All-wheel drive is also standard, and additional drive modes mean smoky burnouts, drifting and donuts remain Charger specialties. It’s offered in two- and four-door styles, and there’s plenty of interior room for adult passengers, making it a uniquely powerful and potentially practical American muscle car for the right buyer.

Verdict: Who needs a Hemi? It’s not likely to have broad appeal as a family car, but the 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack stands out as a truly modern muscle car.