- Dodge has lastly debuted a combustion-powered model of its electrical Charger Daytona.
- Called merely Charger, it comes as a $49,995, 420 hp R/T, or $54,995, 550 hp Scat Pack.
- The ICE Charger’s Ford Mustang rival beats it in some areas however loses out badly in others.
For some time it felt like Dodge had deserted altogether the muscle automotive promote it did a lot to assist construct. But as of this month old style combustion efficiency is again on the menu within the type of the Charger Sixpack.
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The order ebook opens August 11 and deliveries begin within the coming months, however do you have to leap in, or would you be higher off melting your financial institution card on a Ford Mustang? Let’s examine the 2 coupes and see how they stack up in the important thing battlegrounds.
Engines, Cylinders and Horsepower

The Charger might need lastly been granted a set of tailpipes, however they’re not hooked as much as a V8 – at the very least not proper now. Both the R/T and Scat Pack variations of the Sixpack are powered by Stellantis’s Hurricane 3.0-liter inline six.
The base automotive makes 420 hp (426 PS) and 468 lb-ft (635 Nm) and its large brother places out 550 hp (557 PS) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm), Dodge claiming 3.9 seconds for the stouter automotive.
More: Dodge Finally Gives Buyers The Gas Charger They Almost Wanted From $50,000
Ford doesn’t provide a six within the Mustang, as an alternative opening proceedings with a fuel-efficient 2.3-liter Ecoboost 4 that’s good for 315 bhp (319 PS) and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm). Step as much as the GT and also you get a 4.6-liter naturally-aspirated V8 and 480 hp (487 PS), plus 415 lb-ft (563 Nm), whereas the Dark Horse is price one other 20 hp (20 PS) and three lb ft (4 Nm). A warmer GT500 model is on the best way, however it’s not right here but and, just like the $320k GTD, outdoors the scope of this comparability.

Based on proof obtainable thus far, the Sixpack sounds a lot better than an Ecoboost, however nowhere close to as raunchy as Ford’s Coyote V8. It does make extra horses although, and that’s not the one purpose it’ll in all probability really feel a lot quicker in level and squirt on-road battles.
While a Mustang GT and Dark Horse’s torque mountain peaks at 4,900 rpm, the Scat Pack’s tops out at 3,500 rpm, and it’s already surpassed the Ford’s most twist at solely 2,500 rpm.
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Transmissions

Here’s one other approach these two rivals head off in very totally different instructions, wining and dropping followers within the course of. The truth you could’t purchase a Charger with a handbook transmission is one large purpose for some patrons to dismiss it, however others would possibly want the Ford provided an all-wheel drive possibility, which it doesn’t.
Both Chargers include AWD as commonplace, however there’s no purpose for rear-drive lovers to despair. Like a BMW M3 xDrive, the Dodge allows you to disconnect the entrance axle from the social gathering by merely urgent a button if you need to get drifty or placed on a smoke show.
Body Styles
The new Charger replaces the previous Charger sedan and in addition the Challenger coupe, so each electrical and combustion fashions can be found with a alternative of two or 4 doorways, or might be when four-door deliveries begin in spring 2026.
Mustang patrons are caught with two doorways – except they change to the Mach-E EV – however Ford does provide a convertible physique fashion, one thing Dodge doesn’t.
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Practicality
You don’t must set foot in both automotive to know the way totally different they’re going to really feel. You solely want take a look at the wheelbase stats: 107 inches (2,720 mm) for the Mustang and a colossal 121 inches (3,070 mm) for the Charger. A Euro-spec SWB Mercedes S-Class solely has a finger’s price of additional steel between its axles.
Tall passengers have discovered life behind the Charger Daytona fully bearable and we count on the combustion model to be no worse. But whereas the Mustang’s rear seats can accommodate adults, they’re finest reserved for youths.
Ford’s personal figures present it’s 2.1 inches (53 mm) down on headroom and shoulder room and a large 8.2 inches (208 mm) worse for rear legroom than the Dodge.
Related: This Secret Mustang Prototype Could Obliterate Every GT500 Before It
And it’s not simply the rear area competitors the Dodge wins. Automaker knowledge proves it’s a lot roomier within the entrance, too. The Charger additionally has far more trunk area – 22.8 vs 13.3 cu-ft (644 vs 377 liters) – with the rear backrest in place, although the Mustang wins again practicality factors with its liftback. The Charger is an old-school notch.
Weight

The penalty for the Dodge’s further inside area is a large enhance in curb weight. Ford says a manual-shift GT fastback ideas the scales at 3,827 lbs (1,736 kg) and an automatic-equipped Dark Horse is 3,993 lbs (1,811 kg). But Dodge quotes 4,816 lbs (2,185 kg) for the Charger Scat Pack.
The larger effectivity of the smaller-capacity, turbocharged Hurricane engine means it may nonetheless ship extra miles per gallon than the Mustang, however we guess you’ll really feel that further mass in turns and underneath braking.
Prices

Finally we come to the one metric that may very well be the deciding issue for a lot of patrons: cash. The Charger Sixpack R/T (which arrives subsequent spring) prices $49,995 plus vacation spot, making it a big $9,600 cheaper than the 2025 electrical Daytona R/T, which was dropped for 2026. Upgrade to the Sixpack Scat Pack and also you’re on the hook for $54,995, saving $18,990 on the 2026 Scat Pack EV.
But whereas extra inexpensive than their electrical twins, the Sixpacks are out of attain of some patrons. Ford’s resolution to supply a four-banger is a lifeline for the financially stretched, the bottom Ecoboost fastback coming in at simply $32,320 plus vacation spot, and even a bare-bones V8 GT is simply $46,885. But at $64,080 (rising to $69,075 in Premium trim), the Dark Horse is dearer than the priciest Dodge.
Which of those muscle rivals would get your money? Drop a remark under and tell us.

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