The 2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK Wins Yet Another Major Award- Here's Why Critics and Buyers Love it

By all accounts, the Dodge Charger’s multi-energy platform is brilliant. Although Stellantis was late to the party in building EVs, 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. Now, the Detroit News has 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.”

2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK

The 550-horsepower, twin turbo SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack captured the top spot in a field of 59 cars tested, winning Detroit News Vehicle of the Year honors for its standard all-wheel drive, fun performance, head-turning heritage-inspired design and “the world’s most powerful ‘hot hatch’ interior space.”

As I recently reported, the SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger 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.”

I also reported earlier about the multi-energy Dodge Charger lineup being 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.”

Why the ICE Version is Selling Better than the EV

It appears that muscle car fans could not accept an EV as a muscle car. Even though some of the EVs had more horsepower than the gas-powered car. 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. 

“Rebirth of drivetrain choice” was also recognized, with the new Charger multi-energy lineup offering both internal combustion and all-electric options. The Detroit News also praised the Charger’s “strong value, particularly when matched against European performance sedans costing $10,000 more.”

SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack is available at a starting MSRP of $54,995, delivering the most horsepower under $55,000 (MSRP excludes tax, title and destination fees).

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