2026 Dodge Charger is the Darling of the Critics This Year

The Dodge Charger and its multi-energy lineup has been racking up awards. I’ve enjoyed driving both versions of Dodge’s new muscle car. Now, the 2026 Dodge Charger is driving home with the title of 2026 Detroit Free Press Car of the Year. "Modern styling and technology accelerate Dodge’s muscle car heritage into the future". While lots of publications give awards, this one is significant because it hails from the Motor City. 

“The American muscle car lives, evolving into something new and marvelous in the new Dodge Charger,” wrote Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press auto critic. “You want the home-charging convenience and surging, implacable acceleration of a 670-horsepower electric vehicle? The Charger Daytona’s got you. You prefer the shake and rumble of a brawny 550-horsepower gasoline engine? The Charger has you covered, too.”

2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK or Daytona EV

Dodge built its name on big engines and high-horsepower. The sound of the SIXPACK firing up screams muscle car. The 2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK carries the high-output version of the Inline Six gasoline engine. It delivers 550 horsepower and 531 lb.-ft. of torque. It is similar to the Hurricane engine in the 2026 Ram 1500 RHO. The car as it is configured right now cannot physically hold a HEMI engine.

The 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona EV has an incredible 670-horsepower. Both the ICE version and the EV are available with either two doors or four doors. So far, the EV version has not been a great seller, but the SIXPACK version has been much better received. Some people have not been able to accept an EV as a muscle car. 

“Stellantis’ Michigan-developed STLA Large multi-energy architecture passes its first test with flying colors — and breathtaking speed — in the gasoline-powered Charger and electric Charger Daytona two- and four-door muscle cars,” Phelan wrote. “You can get either drivetrain with either body style, and there’s plenty to love about both, including roomy comfortable interiors and advanced, easy-to-use infotainment.”

"From the 670-horsepower electric Charger Daytona to both the 420- and 550-horsepower gasoline models, this new Charger lineup delivers the power, performance and attitude that define Dodge, while preparing the brand to lead the muscle car into the future,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO.

2026 Dodge Charger’s Previous Awards

This is the third major award for the Charger and its multi-energy platform. By all accounts, the multi-energy platform is brilliant. The idea that the same platform and chassis could either be an EV or and ICE vehicle was ground-breaking.  Many vehicles can be either gas-powered or hybrid but few could really pull off the multi-energy plan. As an EV, the 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona won a number of design awards. But as a gas-powered muscle car, it is winning many more. 

As I reported recently, the Detroit News named the 2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK the Detroit News 2025 Vehicle of the Year. 

“We here at The Detroit News are biased toward value, style, innovation and performance.  And we choose our Vehicle of the Year accordingly,” said Detroit News auto columnist Henry Payne.  “The hatchback Charger is not only gorgeous (channeling the 1968 Charger OG) but utilitarian. Affordable? The SIXPACK-powered Charger lineup debuts at $52K (including destination), but it goes spec-for-spec against a BMW 540i XDrive that costs 10 grand more. We’d take the Dodge in a heartbeat.”

“The all-new Charger was built to deliver the bold muscle car looks and heart-pounding performance Dodge fans demand, and this prestigious recognition is another marker that we nailed it,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO. “With the new Charger lineup, you get the ultimate freedom: choose your powertrain and experience a muscle car that looks, feels, sounds, and drives like a true Dodge — whether you go all-in on internal combustion or embrace electrified power.”

The SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger was also recently named Car of the Year in the 2026 TopGear.com U.S. Car Awards. 

“The new SIXPACK Charger is a revelation — flexible enough to be whatever it’s called on to be, from a stout and steady daily driver to a tail-happy drift toy, and everything in between,” said Jack Rix, editor-in-chief, Top Gear.”

The multi-energy Dodge Charger lineup is also one of three finalists for the 2026 North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) award.

“Being named a finalist for North American Car of the Year is a testament to Dodge’s relentless pursuit of performance and innovation,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO. “The Dodge Charger multi-energy lineup delivers the power of choice to our customers, a 550-horsepower SIXPACK and a 670-horsepower Daytona, with both two doors and four doors.”

“Once again, these finalists show the wide range of choices that consumers have in the marketplace,” said NACTOY President Jeff Gilbert, auto reporter for WWJ Radio. “Our jury of distinguished auto reporters has come up with a great selection of fantastic vehicles that truly reflect the best of the best.”

The new Charger lineup also earned Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems and Wards 10 Best Interiors and UX awards.

Dodge Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories