2026 Scat Pack Plus Test Drive

[rossagge2]

Well, I finally went out an test drove one. Before I get into the driving impressions, I'll touch on my initial impressions. I find the look, body lines, hood bulge front and rear lights, fenders and interior layout to be very appealing. This is the second time I got up close and personal to one. The first being a Daytona. This one is on the showroom floor at my local CDJR dealership, Scat Pack Plus 4 door, Carbon Suede, High Back Demonic Seats. With the Plus having full power seats and steering wheel, I found getting the optimal seating position quick and easy had. It was surprisingly comfortable! Rear seat headroom was doable, but not optimal for me, 5'10", with a long torso. I won't find myself sitting back there anyhow. I dig the hatchback design and functionality as my wife and I find them practical and we just like the look, especially that of wagons. So onto the drive. The test model was a black on black Scat Pack 4 door. Even though what I'm about to mention might seem like a big deal to some, especially someone new to these vehicles and these being all new, I'm just gonna touch on it (as to me, these things just happen and these things don't sway me) so here's what I experienced. After driving off the lot onto a frontage road, I noticed it wasn't very responsive. As we came to a traffic light, which turned red, the brakes didn't feel normal and instead of downshifting and feeling some engine braking, the power slightly surged. I thought, well this isn't what I expected and it just doesn't feel normal. This within no more than 400 ft of driving mind you. I thought, OK, lets get going and as soon as the light turned green, we did and then this happened...

Everything lit up like a Xmas tree. I doesn't show here, but Service Transmission warning appeared as well. Then I realized why it was performing the way it did. I told the salesman with me, well I guess we're taking this one back. I was slightly worried, but it made it back without incident. So we grabbed another one, it's battery was near dead, so we jumped it and took it out. This one was a Sub-Zero Scat Pack Plus with Carbon Suede, Glass Roof, 20x11" wheels. Now this one, performed better than I expected! Those of you who own these know, so I don't have to tell you. I'll just say it is two cars in one. It drives like a grand tourer when placed in Auto mode and a sports car when placed in sport mode. Heck even it Auto mode, it still performed like I would have expected it to when getting on throttle. Without getting more long winded, I do like it. Do I like it over my 2023 Challenger SPWB Shaker 6MT? YEP! Does that one have a place? YEP! But this one does it all! Thanks for the advice all. This one will be on the short list. Now to just make a decision on ordering a 2027. Still need to see what colors and when those Petrol Blue seats and Red Seat belts will be available. My fav color is After Dark and is no longer avail initially. Holding out on it returning (prob won't) and other color options. BTW, I think I'm not gonna hold my breath on the new Hemi's that will be put in these. I think these have a unique place in the Brotherhood of Muscle. There will be some kick arse Hemi models coming, but none with overall value this holds, everyday practicality, MPG, ride quality and all the rest you all know.

The dealership I went to apparently abuse their stock. Salesman kept telling me to "punch it". Glad I didn't on the first car and, Sorry, not gonna full throttle a brand new car before it's broken in. Maybe that's why they had issues with the initial car I drove. When I got in, all the driver aid buttons were switched off (row of buttons under center stack) Could this have been a sign of the issues I had or will these stay disabled even after restart? Not thinking this initially gave me the impression somebody was doing burnouts, or trying to in it. Including this one on the showroom floor. I'll pass on this dealership...That's not road grime. More on the other side. Salesman wiped his finger through it. Nice black powder residue left on his finger...yeeeeah, Nah, I'll pass. Besides, when the time comes, I'll be ordering mine with Mark Dodge, not with them.

 

[aceinspp29]

So did you order the 2027? Later RJD

 

[8pack-223]

Yeah, these puppies will rip your face off with the torque, but also can just be driven year round like a regular sedan. It’s the perfect car for me IMO.

One gripe, though, the paddle shifting experience feels weird and disconnected, like I’d rather just not. Paddle shifting felt much more exhilarating in my Durangos and older Chargers with 5.7 and 6.4 HEMIs. It almost feels like they don’t want you to use them in this car… just feels wrong like a clicky plastic button.

 

[rossagge2]

So did you order the 2027? Later RJD

Not yet. I'm waiting to see what 2027, late editions, have to offer.

 

[aceinspp29]

Yeah, these puppies will rip your face off with the torque, but also can just be driven year round like a regular sedan. It’s the perfect car for me IMO.

One gripe, though, the paddle shifting experience feels weird and disconnected, like I’d rather just not. Paddle shifting felt much more exhilarating in my Durangos and older Chargers with 5.7 and 6.4 HEMIs. It almost feels like they don’t want you to use them in this car… just feels wrong like a clicky plastic button.

 

[aceinspp29]

Yep I agree later RJD

 

[CareerFirefighter26]

... BTW, I think I'm not gonna hold my breath on the new Hemi's that will be put in these. I think these have a unique place in the Brotherhood of Muscle. There will be some kick arse Hemi models coming, but none with overall value this holds, everyday practicality, MPG, ride quality and all the rest you all know ...

My feelings exactly. People have already asked my if I'll trade in my Six Pack for a hemi if it becomes available. I said no.

 

[baabootoo27]

I think that the biggest mistake consumers make, is test driving the car!!!!!!! I didn't test drive any of them because of that even though the salesperson almost begged me to. I knew I wanted the basics so need to. Was this forum in existence July 2025?

 

[aceinspp29]

I think that the biggest mistake consumers make, is test driving the car!!!!!!! I didn't test drive any of them because of that even though the salesperson almost begged me to. I knew I wanted the basics so need to. Was this forum in existence July 2025?

Yes the Forum was around then. I drove one when they first showed up at the dealer and was accompanied by the general manager. Got on 400 nb and nailed it. What a ride. I did this to compare it to EV I had at the time. Convinced me to order the six pack plusLater RJD

 

[rossagge2]

I will always test drive a vehicle. I didn't in the past for certain vehicles, but I always will now. I've owned 13 cars plus motorcycles in the past 4 years. A few I didn't test drive, just ordered because on paper, watching vids, listening to reviews and the forums steered me to think that's all the info I needed. Wrong. Although this Scat Pack Plus exceeded my expectations, other vehicles have not and bit me in the butt after owning them for a short time. My wife, the same. When we look at cars together, I refuse to let her tell me, no you just drive it, I trust your judgement. Judgement is one thing, but actually getting behind the wheel is key. We each get different driving impressions in every vehicle. If it's for me, not so much an issue if she doesn't, but if it's hers, she's going to test drive it . She refused to drive a Honda Pilot Touring we bought because of this. First time she drove after purchase, she said it felt numb on the road and didn't give her a sense of confidence. I was amazed! Didn't when occur to me she would think that, but I should of. Her favorite vehicle we've owned was a VW Toureg TDi. It was planted, she felt connected, tons of torque, lots of range and decent off road. I should of picked up on that. I get it, an all new vehicle is impossible to drive if you order and it's not even in production yet Heck, I say all this even though I just ordered a Durango R/T 392 and none are out there, but I did drive a 5.7 345 with all the similar packaging, so that's on me. But to reach their own regarding test driving or not.

 

[8pack-223]

I say all this even though I just ordered a Durango R/T 392 and none are out there, but I did drive a 5.7 345 with all the similar packaging, so that's on me.

You could technically just drive a used SRT 392 Durango. The price point in the R/Ts is great, congrats. They really hosed the late model SRT owners. You can basically build the SRT for ~60k sticker.

The engine performance and sound and the handling in the SRTs is great, like a bengal tiger and a grizzly bear fighting under the hood. I imagine most of those upgrades can be added. My only gripe is I’d be sitting in traffic in the summer heat very often and the timing was always getting pulled from the heat soak when I finally had room to run. It was my daily, but now I daily the sixpack scat pack and it’s always ready to run, just doesn’t get as much heat soak.

I’d love to see a new Durango model with the HO Hurricane.

 

[rossagge2]

Thanks. I thought about looking for one to drive, but I've driven many different variants of the Durango, so the 392 should be a pleasant surprise. I know what your mean about the heat. My Challenger SPWB Shaker didn't have the heat extractors, so after driving and parking it in the garage I would open the hood to let heat escape. It wasn't a daily and this one won't be either. The Charger, if I do get one, will be an almost daily driver which I would be looking forward to.