Dodge Pauses Certain Dodge Charger Daytonas, Delays Others, Citing Tariff Situation
Tariffs and a fresh focus on the new gas-powered Charger models spells the end of the Daytona R/T—for now.
With a car so ingrained in muscle car culture—thanks to the Hemi V-8—the Charger's reinvention as the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona before the gas-fed, but still not V-8-powered Charger models arrive later this year was probably going to make brisk sales a long shot. Sure enough, the internet is rife with stories of heavily discounted Charger Daytona EVs languishing on dealer lots, as Dodge fans pass on the (powerful!) but Hemi-less Daytonas while they wait for the V-8's (likely) return—or at least the Sixpack versions powered by twin-turbo inline-sixes.
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Unsurprisingly, the vacuum of enthusiasm for the Charger Daytona is likely forcing a re-think over at Dodge parent company Stellantis, which has now confirmed to Carscoops that it's dropping the entry-level Charger Daytona R/T for the 2026 model year, its future uncertain. For now, it's available as a 2025, only in two-door form. As of May 22, 2025, the four-door Charger Daytona's planned arrival this spring is being delayed until later this year or early next, when it'll arrive for the 2026 model year. A story from Car and Driver confirms as much.
The four-doors' launch now coincides with that of the ICE-powered “Sixpack” Chargers. The ICE-powered Chargers continue to appear to be on track to launch as a 2026 model year by arriving late 2025. These Chargers will come as four-door models with the high-output Hurricane Twin Turbo I-6.
The move will leave Dodge with only the two-door Charger Daytona Scat Pack representing the Charger lineup for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, other EVs from Stellantis are on ice, too, with the all-electric Ram 1500 Rev recently delayed again, likely to 2027, while the Ram 1500 Ramcharger extended-range EV (with a gas generator onboard) that previously was shifted ahead of the Rev in the production schedule also is being delayed until next year or beyond.
But back to the Charger Daytona R/T. It's a victim of “U.S. tariffs” and Dodge's pivot to focusing on gas-powered models. Interestingly, as the entry-level trim for the all-electric Dodge Charger, the $61,590 R/T is discounted quite a bit—if you go try and configure a 2025 Charger Daytona R/T on Dodge's website right now, it promises a ludicrous $47,000-ish price for an optionless model with all tax credits and manufacturer incentives baked in. The $70,190 Scat Pack is going for about the same as an un-discounted R/T at the moment. So maybe Dodge is making room for the coming gas Chargers (expected to make between 420 hp and 540 hp) by setting aside the EV version with "only" 496 hp instead of 670 hp like you get in the Scat Pack for similar-ish money.
Dodge CEO Matt McAlear summarizes as much: "Production of the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T is postponed for the 2026 model year as we continue to assess the effects of U.S. tariff policies. The Charger's flexible, multi-energy STLA Large platform allows us to focus on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack's performance as the world's quickest and most powerful muscle car, add the new four-door model to the Charger mix for the 2026 model year and lean into the new Charger SIXPACK models that will launch in the second half of the year."
And the remaining Charger Daytona Scat Pack might get even cheaper still. The 2024 and 2025 models come standard with several packages and options that, if made truly optional (like the Track Pack kit) could further drop the price. The ICE-powered Chargers, on the other hand, appear to be on track to remain through the 2026 model year with the four-door and high-output Hurricane Twin Turbo I-6 coming onboard as scheduled.
Delays, Delays, Delays
Another all-electric getting delayed is the 2026 Ram 1500 REV, which was already delayed once before. According to Car and Driver, the 1500 REV will now be delayed to summer of 2027. The final vehicle (so far) joining Stellantis’ Delayfest 2025 is the Ramcharger EREV, which will now be pushed back to the first quarter of 2026 where it was supposed to hit dealers by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, Dodge and Ram are said to be refocusing their efforts on bringing the Hemi V-8 back to their lineups in force. Today, only the three-row Durango SUV still offers the V-8—but it's likely coming back to the Ram 1500 and, possibly, even the Charger, soon.
This story was originally published earlier in May 2025, and has since been updated to reflect clarifications about Charger and Charger Daytona production for the 2026 model year.
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he's had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He's best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
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