Cadillac has always had a reputation to uphold, and the CT5-V Blackwing certainly backs it up. But reputation only gets you so far. The 2026 Dodge Charger just went through a full ground-up revamp, and what came out the other side is a performance sedan that's harder to dismiss than ever. Compare the 2026 Dodge Charger and Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing below!
Key Takeaways:
- As of May 18, 2026, Charger trims are between $51,990 and $63,985, giving buyers far greater affordability than the CT5-V Blackwing.
- Dodge completely rebuilt the Charger for 2026.
- The Charger has several trims to choose from; the CT5-V Blackwing has only two.
After stepping away from the market for a couple of years, the Charger returned with a new platform, a new engine, and a new attitude. And it came back with a fat lineup that gives buyers ample options:
- R/T Coupe: $51,990
- R/T Sedan: $53,990
- R/T Plus Coupe: $56,985
- Scat Pack Coupe: $56,990
- R/T Plus Sedan: $58,985
- Scat Pack Sedan: $58,990
- Scat Pack Plus Coupe: $61,985
- Scat Pack Plus Sedan: $63,985
As for the CT5-V Blackwing, a select number of cars are available via the new "Curated by Cadillac" program. These hand-built and painted special editions are separate from the standard assembly line, priced at $102,795. Pricing for the Curated trim starts at $158,000.
Dodge pulled the "Hurricane" twin-turbocharged inline-six from the Jeep Wagoneer lineup and reworked it here. In R/T trim, the Sixpack S.O. generates 420 horsepower. Opt for the Scat Pack and the Sixpack H.O. takes over, bumping output to 550 horsepower. That's a significant jump for a small step up in price.
Every gas-powered Charger comes standard with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic. But here's where it gets fun--the AWD system includes a mode that shifts the car to rear-wheel drive, and dedicated drift and donut modes come standard on every model.
The CT5-V Blackwing counters with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 delivering 668 horsepower, a standard six-speed manual, optional 10-speed automatic, RWD, and a myriad of performance systems that make it track-capable. But you'll pay for every bit of it. The Charger Scat Pack gets you into the conversation for considerably less money, with all-wheel drive already included.
Powertrains
| 2026 Dodge Charger |
2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing |
| Twin-turbo "Hurricane" I6 |
Supercharged 6.2-liter V8 |
| AWD with RWD mode |
RWD |
| 8-speed automatic |
Optional 10-speed automatic; standard six-speed manual |
What Makes the 2026 Dodge Charger So Special?
The Charger blends old-school muscle with a genuinely modern cabin. Front seats are roomy, and both body styles use a liftback design that makes loading cargo easier than most sport sedans in this class. On the tech side, every Charger comes with a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster that upgrades to 16.0 inches, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Navigation, SiriusXM, and Alexa are all included, along with multiple Alpine audio system options.
The CT5-V Blackwing's cabin shares its cabin comforts with the standard CT5, and while it's spacious enough, it's not quite as premium as the price suggests. It does get Blackwing-specific upgrades, though: leather upholstery, 18-way ventilated and massaging front seats, a head-up display, digital gauge cluster with lap timer, and ambient lighting throughout. Optional high-performance sport seats add microfiber upholstery and matching door panels. It also features a 33-inch, 9K-resolution display across its dash, split between the digital gauge cluster and a Google-based touchscreen with built-in Maps, Assistant, and access to the Play Store. A rotary controller on the center console gives you an alternative to poking the screen.
Why Should I Buy a 2026 Dodge Charger?
The CT5-V Blackwing is a precision instrument. If that's what you're after, it delivers. But the Charger came back from its hiatus with something to prove, and 550 horsepower, standard AWD, and a starting price that gives you real room to choose makes a compelling argument. You don't have to spend Cadillac money to beat Cadillac performance. Come see the 2026 Dodge Charger in our showroom at Thunder CDJR and find out what all the fuss is about.