The New-Generation Dodge Charger (Daytona EV and Sixpack) Compared to the Old Charger

A Dodge Charger no longer needs a HEMI V8 to feel like a true muscle car, and the new generation Dodge Charger vs previous model debate proves it. The latest Charger arrives as the all-electric Daytona and the gas-powered Sixpack. Below, we compare the 2025-2026 Dodge Charger Daytona EV vs the old Charger, then the Sixpack, on power, drivetrain, space, and city livability so you can choose the one that fits your commute and parking. 

New Generation Dodge Charger vs Previous Model at a Glance

The new Charger is quicker, roomier, and more versatile, while the previous model remains the pick for drivers who want a naturally aspirated V8 and rear-wheel drive. Here is how the 2026 lineup stacks up against the final 2023 model year:

• Previous Charger (2023): A 3.6L V6 or HEMI V8 making 292 to 807 hp, rear-wheel drive (AWD with the V6 only), and a four-door sedan body with a traditional trunk.

• Charger Sixpack (2026): A 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six making 420 or 550 hp, standard AWD with a RWD mode, and a two-door or four-door body with a liftback hatch.

• Charger Daytona EV (2026): Dual electric motors making 670 hp, standard AWD, and a two-door or four-door body with a liftback hatch.

What Changed Under the Skin

The previous Charger was built in Brampton, Ontario, until production ended with the 2023 model year. Its replacement rides on the STLA Large platform at the Windsor Assembly Plant, and that platform lets one body carry either a battery pack or a twin-turbo engine.

It also brought back the two-door Charger for the first time since the 1980s. The last generation was sold only as a sedan, leaving coupe duty to the Challenger.

Every new Charger has all-wheel drive, while the old car offered it only with the V6. A jury of 50 automotive journalists named the redesigned lineup the 2026 North American Car of the Year.

Dodge Charger Daytona EV vs Gas Charger V8

Performance That Beats a Hellcat Off the Line

The 2026 Charger Daytona Scat Pack makes 670 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque with PowerShot engaged. Dodge quotes 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds, which Kelley Blue Book notes is quicker than the old Charger SRT Hellcat.

Instant torque to all four wheels is the reason. A rear-drive V8 has to manage wheelspin, while the Daytona simply launches.

Sound, Weight, and Character

This is where V8 loyalists feel the biggest difference. The Daytona uses Dodge’s Fratzonic system to create a synthetic exhaust note, and you can switch it off if you prefer quiet.

It is also much heavier, about 1,500 pounds more than the old Challenger according to KBB. You notice that mass on a winding road far more than on the Long Island Expressway.

Range and Charging for City Drivers

The 2026 Daytona Scat Pack carries an EPA-estimated range of up to 241 miles. A DC fast charger can take it from 20% to 80% in about 24 minutes, and the longer-range R/T trim offered in 2025 was postponed for 2026.

That range easily covers typical trips across the boroughs. For any new Dodge Charger Daytona EV comparison, though, the deciding factor is where you will plug in.

Dodge Charger Sixpack vs Previous Gen Charger

The Sixpack swaps the HEMI for a 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six in two outputs. The R/T makes 420 horsepower, topping the old 5.7-liter R/T’s 370, and the Scat Pack makes 550, topping the old 392 Scat Pack’s 485.

Dodge claims the Scat Pack reaches 60 mph in 3.9 seconds through an eight-speed automatic. A push-button rear-wheel-drive mode keeps burnouts and drifting on the menu, but the turbo six will never rumble like a big V8.

Dodge is still turning up the boost. The limited 2027 Charger Super Bee Launch Edition reaches 600 horsepower with larger turbochargers and track-focused hardware.

Everyday Livability: Space, Cargo, and Size

This is where the new generation Dodge Charger vs previous model gap is widest. Dodge says the hidden liftback provides 38% more rear cargo volume than the outgoing Charger and 127% more with the seats folded, and the coupe still offers 37.2 inches of rear legroom.

The trade-off is size. At about 206.6 inches long and roughly 80 inches wide, it is noticeably bigger than the 198-inch outgoing sedan, which matters on blocks where curbside parking is a daily puzzle. At Major World Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, shoppers can compare the two-door and four-door in person to see which footprint and rear-seat setup suits their routine.

Which Charger Fits Your Driving?

Choose the Daytona EV if You Can Charge at Home

A Brooklyn homeowner with a driveway or garage gets the most from the Daytona. Level 2 charging overnight means leaving every morning with a full battery.

Choose the Sixpack if You Park on the Street

If you rent in Harlem without dedicated charging, the Sixpack is the easier daily partner. You refuel in minutes and still get up to 550 horsepower.

Choose a Previous-Gen Charger if the V8 Is Non-Negotiable

For a Bronx driver who wants HEMI sound at a lower entry price, a pre-owned Charger still makes sense. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the HEMI V8 coming back to the Dodge Charger?

Dodge has not announced a production V8 for the new Charger as of this writing. Stellantis North America CEO Tim Kuniskis has said a supercharged Hellcat is the only V8 that would make sense, so any return would likely sit at the top of the lineup.

What warranty covers the Charger Daytona’s battery?

The battery is covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. That sits alongside a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Can I trade in my old Charger toward a new one?

Yes, and its value depends on mileage, condition, and trim, with any remaining loan paid off from that amount. In New York, sales tax applies only to the price difference after the trade-in, and an online trade-in estimate gives a quick starting figure.

Drive the New Charger Before You Decide

The Charger name has always promised more horsepower than common sense, and this generation finally adds the practicality to live with it every day. Spec sheets only go so far, though, because electric torque, twin-turbo pull, and V8 rumble feel completely different from behind the wheel.

Your next Charger is waiting at Major World Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Long Island City, where we serve drivers all over New York City, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Harlem. Get pre-qualified without affecting your credit, then contact our team to line up back-to-back test drives.