On the Dash:
- The AWD expansion helps Dodge broaden its geographic sales potential, particularly in colder regions.
- Multi-energy powertrain offerings allow dealers to serve both EV and internal-combustion performance customers.
- The strategy positions Dodge to maintain its performance heritage while adapting to evolving consumer expectations.
Dodge is expanding its performance strategy by making all-wheel-drive (AWD) capability a central feature of its 2026 lineup, positioning the Dodge Charger and Dodge Durango as year-round performance vehicles capable of handling a wider range of driving conditions.
Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said intelligent AWD systems enable the brand’s performance models to move beyond traditional three-season use and appeal to customers in regions where winter weather typically limits muscle-car ownership.
“All-wheel-drive capability takes Dodge performance vehicles from three-season to all-season daily drivers,” McAlear said in a statement on the company’s website. “These systems give Dodge the opportunity to deliver Dodge attitude to customers across the entire country.”
For the 2026 model year, AWD is standard on every Dodge Charger, including both gasoline- and electric-powered variants. The next-generation Charger lineup features models powered by the 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo SIXPACK engine in R/T and Scat Pack trims, along with the all-electric Charger Daytona Scat Pack.
Engineers designed the Charger’s drivetrain systems to continuously manage torque distribution between the front and rear axles based on driver demand and road conditions. Multiple drive modes, including Auto, Eco, Sport, and Wet/Snow, allow drivers to tailor performance characteristics while maintaining traction in low-grip environments.
The electric Charger Daytona Scat Pack uses front and rear electric drive modules to control torque output, while its performance-focused features include Drift and Donut modes that shift the vehicle into a rear-drive configuration.
The 2026 Dodge Durango offers standard AWD on HEMI V-8 models, including the 710-horsepower Durango SRT Hellcat, while AWD remains optional on the Pentastar V-6-powered Durango GT.
Durango models equipped with the Tow N Go package feature a two-speed transfer case that supports a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds.
By expanding AWD across its performance vehicles, Dodge aims to maintain its performance heritage while making its vehicles more practical for daily driving across a broader range of markets.
