Dodge is shifting gears. Literally and figuratively.
The muscle car brand just confirmed it’s scaling back the electric Charger Daytona lineup for 2026, cutting it down to just one trim level. The 496-horsepower R/T model is getting bumped from production, with Dodge blaming political uncertainty and fresh U.S. tariffs for the change of course.
Only the high-powered 670-horsepower Scat Pack trim will survive into 2026, as the brand reassesses its EV rollout strategy. The decision comes after a sluggish sales start: just 1,947 Daytona EVs moved in the first quarter. For comparison, the gas-guzzling Challenger sold over 11,000 units in the same timeframe a year earlier.
And there’s more change coming.
Dodge Charger Sixpack
The long-awaited gas-powered Dodge Charger Sixpack is now due sooner than expected. Originally slated for a 2025 release, Dodge says it will now launch in the second half of this year—though it’s unclear if it will be labeled a 2025 or 2026 model.
Built in Canada, the Charger lineup (both electric and gas) is now feeling the pressure from a 25% tariff introduced by the Trump administration. That cost spike is likely a big part of the brand’s strategic reshuffle.
As for the Sixpack? It’ll come packed with Dodge’s Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six engine, offering either 420 or 550 horsepower depending on the trim. Leaks suggest it’ll launch in two versions: the GT and the Outlaw. The GT may feature the lower power output, while the Outlaw could be the wilder ride.
And one more twist: Dodge confirmed that the four-door version of the electric Charger Daytona will now debut in 2026 instead of 2025, giving muscle car fans something new to watch for.
Bottom line? Dodge seems to be hedging its bets and backing off the EV throttle while giving traditional gas-powered muscle one last hard push.
