Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Dodge Charger

Available as a sedan or as a wagon, the 2026 E-Class lineup adds a new bit of kit in the form of a standard biometric fingerprint scanner to authenticate saved driver profiles. The bigger news is the debut of the AMG E 53 Hybrid wagon variant, which offers plug-in hybrid efficiency combined with AMG-engineered performance. It joins an E-Class family that also includes the E 350 Sedan, the E 450 Sedan, the E 450 All-Terrain Wagon, and the AMG E 53 Hybrid Sedan.

Verdict: Anyone suffering from SUV fatigue will find a lot to like about the 2026 Mercedes E-Class wagon, especially the AMG-tuned model. It offers electric-only propulsion for short trips, a gasoline engine for long-distance drives, impressive performance, and plenty of utility.

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.