Charger Sixpack vs Prelude
Dodge brings the Charger Sixpack; Honda answers with the Prelude. Both play in the sports car class. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 3 of 3 areas go to the Charger Sixpack, and the gap is widest in engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Charger Sixpack wins
- Space & Practicality Charger Sixpack wins
- Off-road & Towing Charger Sixpack wins
- Price Prelude wins
- Engine & Performance5.6
- Engine & Performance0.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Charger Sixpack has 220 hp more power
The Prelude gives up a lot on total system output: 200 hp, compared with 420 hp on the Charger Sixpack. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
-
The Charger Sixpack has 236 lb-ft more torque
Few buyers will miss this one. The Charger Sixpack brings 468 lb-ft to the table; the Prelude brings 232 lb-ft. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
-
The Charger Sixpack has room for 5 seats
If everything else were equal, this small edge would favor the Charger Sixpack: 5 seats against 4 seats. The Charger Sixpack has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
-
The Charger Sixpack has a 28.2 in longer body
The Charger Sixpack has the larger figure, 206.6 in to 178.4 in. Whether that helps depends entirely on you. Neither is better in general; it’s a trade-off between space inside and ease of parking.
-
The Charger Sixpack has
Neither number is the right one in general (121 in on the Charger Sixpack, 102.6 in on the Prelude), only the right one for you. A longer wheelbase often means more cabin space and a smoother ride on the highway.
Design & Size
The Charger Sixpack simply takes up more room than the Prelude, whether that’s on a desk, in a bag or in a parking space.
Dimensions
| Spec | Charger Sixpack | Prelude |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 206.6 in | 178.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 79.8 in | 74 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 53.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 121 in | 102.6 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 3,261 lb |
Engine & Performance
Charger Sixpack leads
The engine & performance numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the Charger Sixpack. The Charger Sixpack comes with 220 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. The takeaway: on engine & performance, the Charger Sixpack is the stronger car.
Total system output
Charger Sixpack: 420 hp Prelude: 200 hp The Charger Sixpack’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
Charger Sixpack: 468 lb-ft Prelude: 232 lb-ft The Charger Sixpack’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Space & Practicality
Charger Sixpack leads
It’s a narrow one, but the space & practicality round goes to the Charger Sixpack. The Charger Sixpack has the edge with room for 5 seats. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there. Weighing only space & practicality, the Charger Sixpack comes out ahead.
Seats
Charger Sixpack: 5 seats Prelude: 4 seats Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Off-road & Towing
Charger Sixpack leads
The Charger Sixpack takes off-road & towing by a nose. The Charger Sixpack gives you available all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive helps you get going on slippery roads, but good tires matter just as much for stopping and turning. If off-road & towing is your priority, the Charger Sixpack is the car to pick.
AWD / 4WD available
Charger Sixpack: yes Prelude: no The Charger Sixpack offers all-wheel drive; the Prelude doesn’t, which matters if you face harsh winters.
Safety & Tech
Here the spec sheet speaks in model names and types. Compare the Charger Sixpack and the Prelude row by row in the table below.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Charger Sixpack | Prelude |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Hybrid |
| Engine | 3.0L twin-turbo I6 (Hurricane SO) | 2.0L I4 two-motor hybrid |
| Total system output | 420 hp (winner) | 200 hp |
| Torque | 468 lb-ft (winner) | 232 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | eCVT (S+ Shift) |
| Drivetrain | AWD (RWD mode) | FWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Charger Sixpack | Prelude |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | N/A (not specified) | 44 mpg Most efficient in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | N/A (not specified) | 46 mpg Best city economy |
| Fuel economy (highway) | N/A (not specified) | 41 mpg Best highway economy |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 10.6 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Charger Sixpack | Prelude |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats (winner) | 4 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 15.1 cu ft Biggest cargo area |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 37.4 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Charger Sixpack | Prelude |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes (winner) | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Charger Sixpack | Prelude |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 9 in |
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | N/A (not specified) | Honda Sensing |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Charger Sixpack | Prelude |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 206.6 in | 178.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 79.8 in | 74 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 53.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 121 in | 102.6 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 3,261 lb |
Price
| Spec | Charger Sixpack | Prelude |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $49,995 | $42,000 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
In launch price, the two are close: the Prelude came in $7,995 lower. The Charger Sixpack justifies part of its $7,995 premium with 220 hp more power and 236 lb-ft more torque.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked July 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Charger Sixpack if…
- you want more power (420 hp vs 200 hp)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (468 lb-ft vs 232 lb-ft of torque)
- you need more seats (5 seats vs 4 seats)
- you want all-wheel drive available
Choose the Prelude if…
- you’d put the $7,995 saving toward something else
- you want the more compact car
- you already know your way around Honda’s products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Charger Sixpack or the Prelude?
The Charger Sixpack wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d rather keep $7,995 for something else.
Which is larger, the Charger Sixpack or the Prelude?
The larger model here is the Charger Sixpack (206.6 × 79.8 in); the Prelude is more compact at 178.4 × 74 × 53.4 in.
Which costs less, the Charger Sixpack or the Prelude?
Going by launch prices, the Prelude costs $7,995 less than the Charger Sixpack. Prices as of July 2025; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
If you’ve narrowed it down to the Charger Sixpack and the Prelude, you’ve already done the hard part. Let me help with the rest. It’s hard to argue with 220 hp more power, which is exactly what the Charger Sixpack brings. It also helps that the Charger Sixpack has room for 5 seats.
Your priorities do the choosing here: engine & performance points to the Charger Sixpack, price to the Prelude.
My pick: the Charger Sixpack, unless the extra $7,995 would stretch your budget.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.