High-powered, roaring muscle cars are supposedly a thing of the past--but are they really? The 2026 Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger may just prove otherwise. The Mustang has had 60 years as a cornerstone of automotive passion; its re-engineered rival, the Dodge Charger, puts up one heck of a fight. Find out which is the best modern muscle car in 2026 below!
Key Takeaways:
- Ford introduces its FX package to the Mustang GT Premium, so buyers can channel '80s Fox-body styling cues.
- Off-road enthusiasts continue to wait for the highly anticipated Mustang Raptor as of early July 2026.
- Dodge executes a complete, ground-up reimagining of the Charger platform.
What Changes Have Been Made to the 2026 Ford Mustang?
Ford aims straight for retro fans by dropping a new FX package on the GT Premium that brings back '80s Fox-body vibes. If you tick the box for the Performance Package, you get Oxford White fan-pattern wheels inspired by old-school Cobras, while the FX package swaps in white split five-spoke rollers. The throwback look hits the outside, too, with white grille inlets, clear taillight lenses, and vintage badges.
Inside, the design blends classic styling with modern tech, featuring leather sports seats with black-and-white plaid inserts, blue and silver stitching, and carbon-fiber trim pulled from the Dark Horse. Ford also refreshed the paint options by adding Adriatic Blue Metallic and bringing back the fan-favorite Orange Fury. Pricing for the Mustang's many trims is:
- EcoBoost: $34,635
- EcoBoost Premium: $38,340
- EcoBoost Convertible: $42,115
- EcoBoost Premium Convertible: $43,840
- GT: $48,555
- GT Premium: $53,075
- GT Premium Convertible: $58,575
- Dark Horse: $66,075
- Dark Horse Premium Coupe: $71,070
- Dark Horse SC: $106,490
- Dark Horse SC Track Pack: $139,990
- Dark Horse SC Track Pack Special Edition: $170,970
- Raptor / Raptor R: Estimated $90,000 to $110,000
The Charger took a couple of years off for a full redesign. Its prices are:
- 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
How Much Horsepower Does the 2026 Ford Mustang Make?
The Mustang starts things off with a standard 315-hp 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder, pushing 350 lb-ft through a 10-speed automatic. If you want that traditional muscle car rumble, the available 5.0-liter Coyote V8 pumps out 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft. (Opting for the active exhaust bumps those numbers to 486 horsepower and 418 lb-ft, while also letting you row your own gears with a classic six-speed manual.) For the track, the Dark Horse trim coaxes 500 horsepower out of that naturally aspirated V8 and adds adaptive MagneRide dampers. You can also throw on the Handling Package to swap the street tires for ultra-sticky Pirelli Trofeo RS track rubber.
Dodge ditches its V8 for the new Charger, replacing it with a twin-turbo inline-six known as the "Hurricane." The base R/T trim generates a solid 420 horsepower, while stepping up to the track-focused Scat Pack or the high-output Sixpack H.O. version cranks output to 550 ponies. Every model mates with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, but the onboard tech includes a front-axle disconnect feature that lets you route all the power strictly to the rear wheels.
Powertrains
| 2026 Ford Mustang |
2026 Dodge Charger |
| 2.3L turbo four-cylinder5.0L V8 |
Twin-turbo "Hurricane" inline-6 |
| Standard 10-speed automatic or optional 6-speed manual |
8-speed automatic |
| RWD |
AWD with RWD disconnect |
Which Muscle Car Will You Take Home: The 2026 Ford Mustang or Dodge Charger?
If you want a genuine sports-car experience that gives you full command of a roaring V8 powertrain, the Mustang wins the race. Connect with our sales department today at Banner Ford of Monroe to schedule a test drive and sample real power firsthand.