Detroit News Names Dodge Charger SIXPACK Its 2025 Vehicle of the Year

The 2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK has added another trophy to its rapidly growing shelf, as The Detroit News officially names it the 2025 Vehicle of the Year. The recognition comes just days after TopGear crowned the Charger SIXPACK Scat Pack as its U.S. Car of the Year, signaling a resounding industry-wide consensus: Dodge has delivered the performance car of the moment.

After evaluating 59 new vehicles across every major price and performance category, The Detroit News concluded that no model better balanced excitement, innovation, and everyday usability than the SIXPACK. 

Who the Charger Beat Out –

This year’s VOY finalists showcased just how competitive the field was:

• Mazda CX-30 Turbo — praised for its lively handling, fresh tech upgrades, and unmatched driving fun for the dollar

• Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 — a 1,000+ horsepower supercar slayer offering blistering speed at a fraction of exotic-car prices

Both earned high marks in their respective segments. The CX-30 appealed to drivers seeking small-SUV practicality with sports-car personality, while the ZR1 delivered performance rivaling that of cars costing triple its price.

But even with a hypercar-quick Corvette in contention, the Charger SIXPACK stood apart.

Why the SIXPACK Won –

The Detroit News highlighted the Charger’s return to choice at a time when most automakers have leaned heavily toward one-size-fits-all electrification. Built on a flexible platform capable of supporting both electric and internal combustion powertrains, the Charger lineup brings back something American buyers haven’t seen in years: a modern muscle car that can be tailored to different needs and driving preferences.

The publication emphasized several standout qualities:

• A head-turning design that modernizes the 1968 Charger silhouette.

• Standard all-wheel drive, transforming the muscle car into a legitimate four-season performer.

• A hatchback layout, creating the world’s most powerful “hot hatch.”

• Strong value, particularly when matched against European performance sedans costing $10,000 or more.

In short, the SIXPACK didn’t just re-enter the muscle car scene—it redefined it.

Inside the 2026 Charger SIXPACK –

The new Charger offers two ICE variants:

Dodge Charger SIXPACK R/T (Available in Q1 2026) – 

• Standard-Output (S/O) model puts out 420 horsepower / 468 lb-ft of torque
• More refined and efficient than the 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 it replaces
• Can use 87-octane fuel
• Available in two-door or four-door
• All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) is standard, and can have Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) with the push of a button

Dodge Charger SIXPACK Scat Pack (Available in NOW) – 

• High-Output (H/O) model puts out 550 horsepower / 531 lb-ft of torque
• Has to use 91-octane fuel
• 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds (according to Dodge)
• 177 mph top speed
• Available in two-door (right now) and four-door (Q1 2026)

Both are paired with a new fourth-gen 880RE 8-speed automatic. Despite weighing just over 4,800 pounds, the torque-rich twin-turbo I6 engine and traction-heavy AWD system give the car a surprisingly agile feel.

The cabin blends retro cues with cutting-edge tech: dual digital displays, a familiar pistol-grip shifter, tall supportive seats, customizable performance pages, and ambient lighting that gives the interior a bold muscle-car atmosphere.

A Momentum-Filled Win for Dodge – 

With the Detroit News award arriving on the heels of TopGear’s U.S. Car of the Year title for the SIXPACK Scat Pack, Dodge now holds back-to-back major accolades from two of the industry’s most respected outlets. It’s a rare sweep that underscores just how dramatically the new Charger has shifted the conversation around American performance.

More trims are on the way, with additional two- and four-door models expected soon. And with rumors of a future V8 variant swirling, Dodge appears poised to carry this momentum well into 2026 and beyond.

Source: The Detroit News