2026 Dodge Charger is the Most Unique Contender for North American Car of the Year

Dodge’s innovative 2026 Dodge Charger will face off against the Honda Prelude and the Nissan Sentra for the North American Car of the Year Award. The 2026 Dodge Charger is unprecedented because it can be purchased as a BEV under the name Dodge Charger Daytona or gas-powered as the Dodge Charger. There are lots of vehicles that can be gas-powered or hybrids but it is distinctive that the Dodge Charger can be either electric or gas-powered. 

2026 Dodge Charger

The re-invented Dodge Charger Daytona was originally marketed as the first electric muscle car. The electric 2026 Charger Daytona Scat Pack model delivers 670 horsepower, reaching 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds.

The ICE 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, powered by the twin-turbocharged SIXPACK high-output (H.O.) engine has 550-horsepower. It does 0-60 in 3.9 seconds.

“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, and we’re just getting started.”

“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.”

Dodge Charger Winning Design Awards

The Dodge Charger Daytona was singled out for its unusual EV design that includes a hatchback for additional cargo room. “The interior of the Charger Daytona combines everything contemporary that you'd expect in an EV with a respect for the heritage of an iconic muscle car,” said Gary Vasilash, Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX judge. “Not an easy feat to accomplish, but they pulled it off in a manner that will make EV enthusiasts and the Brotherhood of Muscle both delighted with the execution.”

Both the EV and the V-6 powered Chargers exist on the same platform. The cars carry a heritage-inspired Dodge muscle exterior, with the widest body of any car in the industry.

The Charger has all-wheel-drive, best-in-class rear cargo volume and best-in-class passenger volume.

2026 Dodge Charger Facing Stiff Competition

The other two contenders in the North American Car of the Year Category are the Nissan Sentra and the Honda Prelude.

The redesigned Honda Prelude exemplifies what Honda is known for. Its hybrid powertrain produces 200 horsepower, making it sporty enough for a fun drive while still getting 46 mpg in city driving and 41 mpg on the highway. 

2026 Nissan Sentra

The ninth generation of the Nissan Sentra brings us a stronger, sportier design. Loaded with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen and upgraded technology, the Sentra looks more expensive than previous generations. However, it starts at $23,645, just slightly less than the 2025 model. I haven’t driven it yet, but it looks to be a good small car with lots of built-in upgrades. 

North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year

The NACTOY awards are intended to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles of the year. These vehicles are benchmarks in their segments based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction, user experience and value. The organization gives out three awards. They are: “North American Car of the Year,” “North American Truck of the Year” and “North American Utility Vehicle of the Year.” The awards are given by an independent jury of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada instead of by a single publication, website, radio or television station. The winners will be announced on January 14th, 2026 at the start of the Detroit Auto Show.

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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.

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