New Charger Sedan: What Buyers Need to Know About Dodge's Four-Door Muscle Car

The Dodge Charger has always occupied an unusual space in the automotive market — a full-size, four-door sedan wearing muscle car credentials. For decades it was the only vehicle in its class combining rear-wheel-drive performance, V8 power, and a practical back seat. The new Charger sedan, now entering a new generation, carries that identity forward while introducing a significant powertrain shift that changes the conversation entirely.

What Makes the New Charger Sedan Different

The next-generation Charger is built on Stellantis's STLA Large platform — an architecture designed to accommodate both traditional internal combustion engines and fully electric powertrains. That's a meaningful departure from the previous generation, which was built around a dedicated gas platform.

This means the new Charger is available in two distinct powertrain configurations:

• Charger Daytona (electric): A battery-electric version with dual motors, all-wheel drive, and what Dodge markets as "eRupt" multi-speed transmission technology — designed to simulate gear changes and preserve the feel of a performance car.
• Charger Sixpack (internal combustion): A turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, replacing the outgoing HEMI V8s.

The V8 is gone from the new lineup. That's the single biggest change and the most discussed point among Charger loyalists.

The STLA Large Platform and What It Means

Platform architecture determines more about a vehicle than most buyers realize. It sets the foundation for suspension geometry, interior dimensions, battery packaging (for EVs), and how powertrains integrate. The STLA Large platform is designed with a longer wheelbase than the previous LX platform, which generally benefits interior space and ride quality.

For the electric Charger Daytona, the battery pack sits low in the floor, keeping the center of gravity down — a handling advantage. For the Sixpack, the inline-six sits where the V8 used to, with the mild-hybrid components integrated into the drivetrain.

Powertrain Breakdown

Electric Charger Daytona

The Daytona uses a dual-motor AWD setup producing varying output levels depending on trim. Key specs to understand:

Range, output, and charging speeds vary by trim level and are subject to EPA testing figures, which can differ from real-world results based on driving habits, temperature, and load.

Charger Sixpack (ICE)

The Hurricane inline-six is a twin-turbocharged engine Stellantis has deployed across multiple platforms. It comes in standard and high-output versions. The addition of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system doesn't make it a plug-in hybrid — it can't run on electric power alone. Instead, the 48V system assists during acceleration, enables more aggressive stop-start, and can recover some energy under braking.

Output figures and transmission pairing depend on the specific trim. Both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations are available depending on version.

Trim Structure and What Changes Between Levels 🚗

The new Charger follows a tiered trim structure, though exact names and configurations can vary by model year. Buyers should expect differences across trims in:

• Horsepower and torque output
• Drive configuration (RWD vs. AWD)
• Technology packages (driver assistance, infotainment, audio)
• Brake hardware and suspension tuning
• Exterior styling packages

Higher trims typically add performance-oriented suspension tuning, larger brakes, stickier tires, and more aggressive calibration. These aren't cosmetic differences — they affect how the car behaves and, eventually, what it costs to maintain.

What the Charger Sedan Competes With

The Charger has long competed in a shrinking segment. The Dodge Charger sedan now competes differently depending on powertrain:

• As an EV, it competes against performance EVs like the Tesla Model 3 Performance, Polestar 2, and upcoming electric sport sedans
• As an ICE/mild-hybrid performance sedan, it competes with BMW 3 Series, Genesis G70, and turbocharged sport sedans in that general range

The segment has shifted. Buyers who previously chose the Charger for its V8 are now evaluating it against a broader performance sedan field rather than a small group of American muscle alternatives.

Ownership Cost Factors to Keep in Mind

What drives long-term cost varies depending on which powertrain you choose:

For the electric version: home charging equipment installation, electricity rates in your area, battery warranty terms, and public charging infrastructure where you live and drive most.

For the Sixpack: turbocharged engines generally require premium fuel (check the owner's manual for the specific requirement), and mild-hybrid 48V systems add service complexity not present in traditional ICE vehicles. Turbo engines also have more heat-sensitive components that benefit from proper warm-up and cool-down habits.

Both versions will carry performance-grade tires, which wear faster and cost more to replace than standard touring tires — a recurring ownership cost that buyers sometimes overlook. 💰

What Varies by State and Situation

Beyond the vehicle itself, several factors shape what ownership actually looks like:

• EV incentives and rebates at the federal and state level are subject to eligibility rules based on income, tax liability, and where the vehicle is assembled. These change and shouldn't be assumed.
• Registration fees for EVs differ significantly by state — some states apply higher registration fees to EVs to offset lost fuel tax revenue.
• Insurance rates for performance vehicles, especially high-output sedans, tend to run higher than average, and vary significantly by driver profile, location, and insurer.
• Emissions testing requirements vary by state and may affect ICE version owners depending on where they register.

The Variables That Shape Your Decision

The new Charger sedan is a technically ambitious vehicle with genuine performance credentials in both powertrain forms. But what it means for any specific buyer depends on questions only that buyer can answer: whether home charging is feasible, how much V8 character matters versus electric performance, what trim fits the budget, and what the local infrastructure looks like for whichever powertrain they choose. 🔑

Those variables don't have universal answers — and the right configuration for one buyer may make little sense for another.