Car Model History

Sixth generation · LX sedan · 2006–2010

2006Dodge Charger

The nameplate revived as a rear-wheel-drive full-size FOUR-DOOR sedan on the Mercedes-influenced LX platform — controversial with purists who knew the Charger as a coupe. Offered the 5.7 Hemi and the 6.1 Hemi SRT8.

Sixth generation · LX sedan

2006-era Dodge Charger SXT — LX four-door sedan, front view

Photo: “'06-'08 Dodge Charger SXT -- Front (Orange Julep '10)” by Bull-Doser / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
4offered3.5L High Output SOHC V6 → 6.1L SRT HEMI V8 (SRT8)
Top output
425hp6.1L SRT HEMI V8 (SRT8)

Body styles4-door rear-wheel-drive retail sedan · 4-door rear-wheel-drive law-enforcement sedan

The 2006 model year

Overview

The Charger returned for 2006 after a two-decade absence as a rear-wheel-drive four-door sedan. Dodge's factory documents divide the launch range into the 250-hp V6 SE and SXT package, the 340-hp R/T, two 350-hp R/T performance packages, the later 425-hp SRT8, and a law-enforcement-only Police package with V6 or optional HEMI power. Daytona R/T was not just a paint choice: it combined the Road/Track chassis and 350-hp calibration with spoilers, black graphics, color-keyed trim, and serialized identification.

Specifications

Engines
  • 3.5L High Output SOHC V6250 hp
  • 5.7L HEMI MDS V8 (standard R/T and optional Police)340 hp
  • 5.7L HEMI MDS V8 (Road/Track and Daytona)350 hp
  • 6.1L SRT HEMI V8 (SRT8)425 hp
Transmissions
W5A580 5-speed automatic with AutoStick, Enhanced AutoStick calibration on R/T, Column-shifted 5-speed automatic on Police
Body styles
4-door rear-wheel-drive retail sedan, 4-door rear-wheel-drive law-enforcement sedan
Dimensions
Wheelbase 120.0 in · Length 200.1 in · Width 74.5 in · Retail curb weight approximately 3,820 lb (V6) or 4,100 lb (R/T)

Year over year

What changed

  • The Charger nameplate returned as a longitudinal-engine, rear-wheel-drive four-door on the LX architecture.
  • SXT was documented as an option package on SE for this launch year; it retained the same 250-hp 3.5-liter V6.
  • The R/T Road/Track Performance Group and Daytona R/T package raised 5.7-liter output from 340 to 350 hp and added distinct steering, suspension, tire, seat, and damper hardware.
  • Dodge added the 425-hp SRT8 to showrooms in November and separately offered a severe-duty Police model to law-enforcement fleets.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The factory specification sheet rates the V6 at 250 hp, the standard R/T at 340 hp, and both Road/Track and Daytona R/T at 350 hp.
  • The SRT8 produced 425 hp and 420 lb-ft and added four-piston Brembo brakes, Bilstein dampers, and 20-inch forged wheels.
  • The preliminary feature chart lists Go ManGo! and Top Banana Daytona colors; Dodge announced the later TorRed 2006 Daytona in January 2006.
  • The Police package made the V6 standard and the 340-hp HEMI optional, rather than treating every police Charger as a V8.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Do not order 5.7-liter R/T engine or chassis parts for the 6.1-liter SRT8; the SRT car has different engine internals, brakes, dampers, wheels, and tires.
  • Road/Track and Daytona cars share the 350-hp performance calibration and much of their chassis hardware, but the Daytona adds unique exhaust, exterior, interior, and serialized-identification pieces.
  • Police cars use severe-duty cooling, external engine/transmission/power-steering coolers, fleet electrical provisions, and a column shifter; retail fitment is not enough to establish police-package interchange.
  • The maintenance schedule below is sourced from Dodge's 2006 owner publication and must still be read against engine, duty-cycle, and severe-service applicability.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 2006 Charger on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 2006 Dodge Charger. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
7
Scheduled topics
6
Applicability stated
7
Exact references
1

Before ordering Identify your engine, options and build date. Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Schedule A — normal operation

    Applies to: 2006 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 10,000 km / 6 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Dodge / Mopar — 2006 Charger owner's manual · Owner's Manual pages 329 and 339-342 — Schedule A · checked

    Schedule B — severe operation

    Applies to: 2006 · United States

    Published interval: 3,000 mi / 5,000 km / 3 months · For any Schedule B condition listed in the manual; whichever comes first.

    Source: Dodge / Mopar — 2006 Charger owner's manual · Owner's Manual pages 328-331 — Schedule B conditions and oil interval · checked

  • Engine air-cleaner filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine air-cleaner filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2006 · United States

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 50,000 km / 30 months · Published replacement interval; inspect more frequently as directed.

    Source: Dodge / Mopar — 2006 Charger owner's manual · Owner's Manual pages 332-341 — air-cleaner replacement rows · checked

  • Air-conditioning filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Air-conditioning filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2006 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 20,000 km / 12 months · Published recurring replacement interval.

    Source: Dodge / Mopar — 2006 Charger owner's manual · Owner's Manual pages 332-341 — air-conditioning-filter rows · checked

  • Spark plugsView intervals, applicability and sources

    Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    5.7L Hemi V8

    Applies to: 2006 · 5.7L Hemi V8 · United States

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 50,000 km / 30 months · Published recurring interval.

    Source: Dodge / Mopar — 2006 Charger owner's manual · Owner's Manual pages 332-341 — 5.7L spark-plug rows · checked

    2.7L or 3.5L V6

    Applies to: 2006 · 2.7L V6, 3.5L V6 · United States

    Published interval: 102,000 mi / 170,000 km / 102 months · Published interval.

    Source: Dodge / Mopar — 2006 Charger owner's manual · Owner's Manual pages 337 and 341 — 2.7L/3.5L spark-plug row · checked

  • Engine timing beltView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine timing belt

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2006 · 3.5L V6 · United States

    Published interval: 102,000 mi / 170,000 km / 102 months · 3.5L engine.

    Source: Dodge / Mopar — 2006 Charger owner's manual · Owner's Manual pages 337 and 341 — 3.5L timing-belt row · checked

  • Engine coolantView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2006 · United States

    Published interval: 102,000 mi / 170,000 km / 60 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Dodge / Mopar — 2006 Charger owner's manual · Owner's Manual pages 328-342 — coolant interval and schedule rows · checked

  • Engine oil filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil filter

    Exact reference available

    The order numbers below establish replacement-filter fitment only; they do not establish a service interval. Confirm the installed engine, VIN, build date, and filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2006 · United States

    3.5-liter High Output SOHC V6 (250 net hp / 250 lb-ft)

    K&N HP-2004

    K&N publishes HP-2004 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2006 · 3.5-liter High Output SOHC V6 (250 net hp / 250 lb-ft) · United States · Exact 2006 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 2006 Dodge Charger 3.5-liter application row — HP-2004 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 (340 net hp / 390 lb-ft)

    K&N HP-2004

    K&N publishes HP-2004 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2006 · 5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 (340 net hp / 390 lb-ft) · United States · Exact 2006 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7-liter application row — HP-2004 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 with performance intake and exhaust (350 net hp / 390 lb-ft)

    K&N HP-2004

    K&N publishes HP-2004 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2006 · 5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 with performance intake and exhaust (350 net hp / 390 lb-ft) · United States · Exact 2006 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7-liter application row — HP-2004 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 with Daytona exhaust and induction (350 net hp / 390 lb-ft)

    K&N HP-2004

    K&N publishes HP-2004 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2006 · 5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 with Daytona exhaust and induction (350 net hp / 390 lb-ft) · United States · Exact 2006 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7-liter application row — HP-2004 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    6.1-liter SRT HEMI V8 (425 net hp / 420 lb-ft)

    K&N HP-2004

    K&N publishes HP-2004 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2006 · 6.1-liter SRT HEMI V8 (425 net hp / 420 lb-ft) · United States · Exact 2006 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 2006 Dodge Charger 6.1-liter application row — HP-2004 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. Dodge — 2006 Charger factory specifications
  2. Dodge — 2006 Charger factory feature-availability chart
  3. Dodge — 2006 Charger Police Vehicle standard and optional equipment
  4. Dodge — 2006 Charger SRT8 pricing and product release
  5. Dodge — TorRed 2006 Charger Daytona R/T announcement

Other Sixth generation years

Explore the LX sedan generation →All Sixth generation · LX sedan years →

Documented lineup

Find your exact 2006 Charger

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

10factory configurations
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified

These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.

10versions shown
Browse 10 documented records — use the filters above to narrow the list
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan

Dodge Charger SE

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
3.5-liter High Output SOHC V6 (250 net hp / 250 lb-ft)
Gearbox
W5A580 5-speed automatic with AutoStick
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedanSXT Package

Dodge Charger SXT Package

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
3.5-liter High Output SOHC V6 (250 net hp / 250 lb-ft)
Gearbox
W5A580 5-speed automatic with AutoStick
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan

Dodge Charger R/T

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 (340 net hp / 390 lb-ft)
Gearbox
W5A580 5-speed automatic with enhanced AutoStick
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedanRoad/Track Performance Group

Dodge Charger R/T Road/Track Performance Group

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 with performance intake and exhaust (350 net hp / 390 lb-ft)
Gearbox
W5A580 5-speed automatic with enhanced AutoStick
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedanDaytona R/T — Go ManGo!

Dodge Charger Daytona R/T Go ManGo!

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 with Daytona exhaust and induction (350 net hp / 390 lb-ft)
Gearbox
W5A580 5-speed automatic with enhanced AutoStick
Built
Factory-numbered limited edition in Go ManGo! orange
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedanDaytona R/T — Top Banana

Dodge Charger Daytona R/T Top Banana

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 with Daytona exhaust and induction (350 net hp / 390 lb-ft)
Gearbox
W5A580 5-speed automatic with enhanced AutoStick
Built
Factory-numbered limited edition in Top Banana yellow
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedanDaytona R/T — TorRed

Dodge Charger Daytona R/T TorRed

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 with Daytona exhaust and induction (350 net hp / 390 lb-ft)
Gearbox
W5A580 5-speed automatic with enhanced AutoStick
Built
Later factory-numbered 2006 Daytona color release
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan

Dodge Charger SRT8

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
6.1-liter SRT HEMI V8 (425 net hp / 420 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed automatic with AutoStick
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive law-enforcement sedan

Dodge Charger Police V6

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive law-enforcement sedan
Engine
3.5-liter High Output SOHC V6 (250 net hp / 250 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed automatic with column shifter
Built
Law-enforcement fleet only
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive law-enforcement sedan

Dodge Charger Police HEMI V8

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive law-enforcement sedan
Engine
5.7-liter HEMI MDS V8 (340 net hp / 390 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed automatic with column shifter
Built
Law-enforcement fleet only; optional engine
Open exact version

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