Is the New Dodge Charger Struggling in Sales? CEO States, 'It's Too Soon' to Determine.

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      If you haven't visited a Dodge dealership recently, checking one out in 2026 might offer some surprises. Showrooms that once featured powerful V8 sedans and coupes are now filled with the company's three-row SUV, which has been on the market for 15 years. The Durango now accounts for over 89% of Dodge's sales volume. Since consolidating into a single model, the Charger and the rebranded Challenger have been struggling. Just a few years ago, these heavyweights were the top performers for Dodge. In the first quarter, the gasoline-powered Charger was even outsold by the Mazda Miata.

      This shift didn't happen by chance. Stellantis was one of the last automakers to commit to electrifying its U.S. lineup after the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022, making it one of the last—along with Toyota—to introduce its new electric vehicles to the market. This launch occurred alongside the first major redesign of Dodge's sedan and coupe models, which had been around since the 2006 and 2008 model years. Their 2011 updates did refresh their dull interiors and included essential hardware upgrades, but neither model received a full redesign.

      As a result, Dodge faced 15 years of catching up, in addition to having to integrate an electric powertrain. Then the 2024 election changed everything again, coinciding with the departure of the former Stellantis CEO—figuratively speaking. This left Dodge in a challenging position, as its EVs were already rolling off the assembly line.

      Fortunately, the company designed the new Charger platform to support both electric and combustion engines. The new Hurricane inline-six engine was always intended for this platform. However, this development took time, and a quick look at the sales chart might give the impression that customers have forgotten about the Charger.

      According to Dodge CEO Matt McAlear, it's premature to make judgments on the Charger’s sales performance.

      “I’m still excited. I’m still optimistic about this car,” he shared with The Drive in an interview. “I believe it offers something unexpected within the industry and revitalizes some car segments that are dwindling.”

      Many fans attribute the diminished interest in the revamped Charger and Challenger to the absence of a Hemi engine, while others cite the lack of a manual transmission. Though both factors may affect enthusiast purchases, it is the six-cylinder versions of both models that accounted for the majority of sales during much of their lifespans; the Hemi became more popular among Challenger buyers only towards the end of its production. Charger sales were dominated by V6 models throughout its existence—and the old Pentastars can't compete with the Hurricane I6.

      “We have Scat Packs and RTs,” McAlear mentioned. “This is just one year in. If we had predicted that we would launch so much in the first-generation car within such a short time, you would have laughed. So the future looks very promising.”

      McAlear has been vocal about the fact that more developments are coming.

      “I believe it’s crucial to provide customers with the freedom of choice,” he emphasized. “The powertrains will continue to evolve. If you look at what we did in the previous generation, starting with the 3.5, then moving to the 3.6, introducing a 6.1, then a 6.4, followed by the 5.7 and the 6.2 supercharged, and then the 6.2 Redeye supercharged. We’re just getting started with this first-year launch, featuring 670 horsepower, 550 horsepower, and 420 horsepower options, available in two-door and four-door with all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive as you prefer.”

      “We haven’t even rolled out all the models across our dealerships yet,” he noted.

      “We began launching the two-door high-horsepower Scat Pack in January, and while we have a good supply of those, we do not have enough of the 420-horsepower RT two-door and four-door models. Those have only begun to ship in the last 15 to 20 days and are still being distributed to dealers. As we progress through the summer, we’ll see what we’re capable of.”

      McAlear has all but assured fans that V8 models are forthcoming; for now, enthusiasts will need to be patient. Dodge must secure an adequate supply before it can fully commit to offering more Hemi models for sale.

      “Every manufacturer is always looking to refine and improve,” he stated. “You can bet that we have a long list of things we’re working on to continue evolving the Charger.”

      “And trust me,” he added, “you don’t perfect everything on the first attempt.”

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