Let's be real for a second. Everyone talks about the Hellcats. They obsess over the Scat Packs. They want the 800-horsepower monsters that scream like a banshee and eat tires for breakfast. But you? You're looking at the Dodge Charger SXT Plus, and honestly, that’s probably the smartest move you could make if you actually plan on driving your car every day.
It’s the "sensible" muscle car. I know, that sounds like an oxymoron. Like "healthy pizza" or "quiet drum kit." But the SXT Plus occupies this weird, beautiful middle ground where you get the aggressive, "get-out-of-my-way" styling of a Mopar beast without the $800-a-month fuel bill or the insurance premiums that make you want to cry.
What the "Plus" Actually Gets You
If you look at a base SXT, it’s… fine. It’s a rental car. You get 17-inch wheels that look a bit too small for that massive body and an interior that feels a little "fleet vehicle."
The Dodge Charger SXT Plus changes the vibe completely. Suddenly, you’re sitting on Nappa leather. You’ve got the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, which, even in 2026, remains one of the most intuitive systems ever put in a car. No digging through ten menus just to turn on your heated seats. It’s right there.
Here is what usually comes in that "Plus" package:
- Heated and ventilated front seats (your back will thank you in July).
- 20-inch wheels that actually fill out those muscular wheel arches.
- Premium Alpine audio systems that actually have some kick.
- That iconic "racetrack" LED tail lamp that looks incredible at night.
The Pentastar V6: Not a "Wannabe" Engine
There’s a lot of gatekeeping in the car world. People will tell you that if it’s not a V8, it’s not a real Charger. Those people are wrong.
The 3.6L Pentastar V6 in the Dodge Charger SXT Plus pushes out about 300 horsepower. Thirty years ago, that was supercar territory. Today, it’s enough to merge onto the highway without breaking a sweat. It’s smooth. It’s reliable.
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I’ve seen these engines hit 250,000 miles with nothing but regular oil changes. Try doing that with a high-strung, supercharged V8 that’s been thrashed at every red light. You also get around 30 mpg on the highway if you aren't driving like a maniac. In a car this heavy? That’s basically magic.
Daily Driving a Legend
Living with this car is different than living with a Civic. It’s huge. Parking can be a bit of a chore until you get used to where the nose ends. But on the highway? It’s a couch on wheels.
The SXT Plus usually comes with a "touring" suspension. It’s softer than the track-ready setups on the higher trims. It soaks up potholes like they aren't even there. If you have a 40-minute commute, this is the car you want to be in.
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And let’s talk about the space. You can actually fit three adults in the back seat. Not "human-shaped origami" adults, but actual people with legs. The trunk is also cavernous. You could probably fit a whole drum kit in there, or at least a very aggressive Costco run.
Common Quirks and Things to Watch For
No car is perfect. The Charger is a "mature" platform, which is code for "it’s been around a long time."
- Visibility: The pillars are thick. You’re going to rely on your blind-spot monitoring. If the model you're looking at doesn't have it, buy some of those little stick-on mirrors. Seriously.
- Interior Plastics: While the "Plus" trim adds leather and soft-touch materials, you’ll still find some "Budget 2015" plastics in the lower door panels. It’s a trade-off for the price.
- The "V6 Stigma": You will occasionally have someone in a Mustang 5.0 pull up next to you and rev their engine. Just let them go. You’re comfortable, your cooled seats are on, and you aren't stopping at a gas station every three days.
The 2026 Perspective
As we move further into the era of the "Sixpack" Hurricane engines and EVs, the classic V6 Charger is becoming a bit of a relic—but a reliable one. While the new 2026 models are pushing 420 to 550 horsepower with twin turbos, they are also significantly more expensive.
The SXT Plus remains the gateway. It’s the car for the person who loves the aesthetic of American muscle but needs the utility of a full-size sedan.
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Actionable Advice for Buyers
If you are hunting for a used or late-model Dodge Charger SXT Plus, do these three things:
- Check the Uconnect Version: Make sure it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Some early 2016-2017 models can be finicky.
- Look for the "Blacktop" Package: If you can find an SXT Plus with the Blacktop package, grab it. It adds blacked-out badges and wheels that make the car look twice as expensive as it actually is.
- Verify the Maintenance: The 8-speed TorqueFlite transmission is solid, but it likes clean fluid. If the car has over 80,000 miles, ask if the trans service has been done.
The SXT Plus isn't about being the fastest on the block. It’s about feeling cool while you’re stuck in traffic, having enough power to enjoy a backroad, and not going broke in the process. It’s the practical enthusiast’s choice, and in a world of boring crossovers, that’s more than enough.