Honda Civic vs Dodge Charger

It’s been almost half a decade since Honda introduced this latest Civic. That’s hard to believe, because this car has aged with remarkable grace. After a mild update for the 2025 model year, the 2026 Civic lineup carries over unchanged. It continues to offer sedans and hatchbacks, with or without hybrid power. Sporty Si and performance-tuned Type R variants are also available, but Honda still doesn’t offer the Civic with all-wheel drive. Does that matter? Seemingly not, because the Civic is Honda’s second-best-selling car (behind the CR-V), and one of the top-selling compact cars in America.

Verdict: You’ll pay a premium to buy a Honda Civic. In many ways, it’s worth the extra money. In others, not so much. Still, while there are better deals in the compact car class, few are as satisfying to drive, and that’s true even when the Civic is equipped with its base engine.

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.