The Dodge Charger is making a powerful statement, redefining the American muscle car for a new era with its innovative multi-energy lineup. This bold approach has earned it the coveted 2026 Detroit Free Press Car of the Year award, a significant recognition for both the electric Charger Daytona Scat Pack and the gasoline-powered Charger Scat Pack. Auto critic Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press lauded the Charger’s ability to cater to diverse preferences, offering the “home-charging convenience and surging, implacable acceleration of a 670-horsepower electric vehicle” alongside the “shake and rumble of a brawny 550-horsepower gasoline engine.”
This latest accolade highlights the impressive engineering and design that underpins the eighth-generation Charger, which also celebrates its 60th anniversary. The vehicle’s platform, the STLA Large architecture developed by Stellantis, is proving its mettle. Phelan noted that the architecture “passes its first test with flying colors — and breathtaking speed,” with the Charger and Charger Daytona delivering on performance, comfort, and user-friendly technology, available in both two- and four-door configurations with standard all-wheel drive.
Beyond the Detroit Free Press honor, the Charger’s dominance in the automotive awards landscape continues. The gasoline-powered Charger secured Car of the Year in the 2026 TopGear.com U.S. Car Awards and was named 2025 Vehicle of the Year by The Detroit News. Further underscoring its all-around excellence, the new Charger lineup also received Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems and Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX awards. Its multi-energy approach has positioned it as a finalist for the prestigious 2026 North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) award, with Phelan himself casting his vote for the Charger.
Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO, emphasized the Charger’s role in the brand’s future: “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.”
The 670-horsepower Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack is now recognized as the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car. Complementing this, the 550-horsepower Dodge Charger Scat Pack, powered by the formidable 3.0L Twin Turbo SIXPACK H.O. engine, expands the Charger’s performance envelope, utilizing the most potent Hurricane engine currently in production. This strategic deployment of advanced powertrains underscores Dodge’s commitment to exhilarating performance across its entire portfolio, including the 710-horsepower Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, the most powerful gas-engine SUV on the market, and the Dodge Hornet, which offers best-in-class standard performance in the compact-utility segment.
Dodge operates as a key brand within Stellantis, a global leader in the automotive and mobility sector. For more information on the Dodge Charger multi-energy lineup, interested parties can visit Dodge.com.
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