The all-new SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger has been named the Detroit News 2025 Vehicle of the Year, beating 58 rival models to the top spot. The 550-horsepower, twin-turbo Charger Scat Pack impressed judges with its standard all-wheel drive, raucous performance and heritage-inspired styling that nods directly to the legendary 1968 Charger. Editors also highlighted its cleverly packaged “hidden hatch” interior, calling it “the world’s most powerful hot hatch” thanks to its mix of utility and muscle.
The recognition adds to a growing trophy case for Dodge’s latest performance flagship. The SIXPACK-powered Charger has already been named Car of the Year in the TopGear.com U.S. Car Awards 2026 and is one of three finalists for the 2026 North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) award. For Dodge, the string of honors signals that its bold push to modernize American muscle without abandoning attitude is resonating well beyond brand loyalists.
Value that takes aim at Europe
Beyond brute force, the Detroit News panel zeroed in on value, positioning the SIXPACK Charger directly against European premium sedans. With the Charger Scat Pack starting at a U.S. MSRP of 54,995 dollars, it delivers what Dodge calls the most horsepower available under 55,000 dollars, excluding tax, title and destination fees.stellantisnorthamerica
Detroit News auto columnist Henry Payne framed the car as a budget bruiser encroaching on German territory. He noted that the SIXPACK-powered lineup debuts at about 52,000 dollars including destination and can be specced head-to-head against a BMW 540i xDrive that costs roughly 10,000 dollars more, adding that his pick would be the Dodge “in a heartbeat.”
Design that channels a legend
Styling proved to be a major factor in securing the Vehicle of the Year title. The new Charger’s fastback profile, muscular fenders and aggressive stance are explicitly designed to “channel the 1968 Charger OG,” blending retro cues with contemporary detailing and modern lighting.
Payne praised the car as both “gorgeous” and practical, thanks to its hatchback configuration that hides generous cargo space behind classic coupe proportions. The Detroit News jury described the interior layout as a revelation for a muscle car, combining everyday usability with the kind of drama buyers expect from a full-blooded Dodge.
Multi-energy lineup and drivetrain choice
A cornerstone of the Charger’s new chapter is what the Detroit News called a “rebirth of drivetrain choice.” The next-generation Charger is offered as a multi-energy lineup, giving buyers the option of traditional internal combustion or all-electric powertrains under one iconic nameplate.
Dodge CEO Matt McAlear framed that flexibility as core to the brand’s future. He emphasized that the new Charger family was engineered to look, feel, sound and drive like a true Dodge, whether customers “go all-in” on the SIXPACK-powered internal-combustion setup or embrace electrified performance.
SIXPACK, Daytona and the wider Dodge performance family
The SIXPACK-powered 2026 Dodge Charger is already shipping to dealers, positioning it as a key pillar in Dodge’s evolving performance portfolio. At its heart is the 3.0-liter Twin Turbo SIXPACK H.O. engine, part of the Hurricane family, billed as the most powerful Hurricane engine currently in production and rated at 550 horsepower in the Charger Scat Pack.
Above it in the hierarchy sits the 670-horsepower Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, touted as the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car as the brand blends EV tech with classic muscle attitude. Dodge continues to underline its performance credentials across segments with the 710-horsepower Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, described as the most powerful gas-engine SUV ever, and the Dodge Hornet, which the company claims offers best-in-class standard performance in the compact utility class.
A century-old brand still chasing speed
For Dodge, the Detroit News award is the latest chapter in a 111-year performance story that began with brothers John and Horace Dodge. The brand positions itself as America’s performance label, arguing that the new Charger shows how muscle car values of speed, sound and style can survive – and even thrive – in a multi-energy future.
Backed by parent company Stellantis, Dodge is using the Charger’s momentum to anchor its broader transformation as regulations, technology and customer expectations shift. With the SIXPACK-powered Charger now decorated by U.S. media outlets and on sale at dealers, the company is betting that there is still plenty of life left in the muscle car formula, even as it adds plugs and turbos to the mix.
