2024 Dodge Charger Daytona: The Fantastic Answer to Soulless EVs
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Where to start? There's so much to say about this new American sports car. One thing's for sure: the brand new Charger Daytona arrives at the right time for the Dodge brand—even as a belated 2024 model with just a few days left until 2025. Could you imagine a lineup with nothing but the old Durango and the disappointing Hornet? The Charger is back, not skipping a year, and with it an intriguing new chapter begins.
For now Dodge is staying mum about its plans for the Challenger name, focusing instead on the two-door Charger that borrows many cues from the late-60s icon. A four-door body style is also coming, in case you’re more into sedans. Oh, and a gasoline-burning variant happens to be set for a mid-2025 launch, including both standard-output (420 hp) and high-output (550 hp) versions of Stellantis’ twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine a.k.a. Hurricane, which is great news for Charger and Challenger purists.
- Also: Report: Gas-Powered Dodge Charger SIXPACK to Launch Earlier, Guess Why
- Also: 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Has Lower Base Price in Canada Than U.S.
A Muscle Car First
Dodge officials keep saying the new Charger is a muscle car first and not an electric vehicle, because a lot of people out there simply want no part of EVs. In fact, the presentation we attended in Arizona didn’t touch on energy consumption or charging times. All we can tell you is that a 100.5kWh battery powers the dual motors and that each one delivers a maximum of 250 kW (335 hp).
“The Charger doesn't look like an electric car,” said Scott Kruger, head of design at Dodge. The exterior certainly is a radical departure from all those generic EVs on the market, starting with the front R-Wing that enables air to flow through a front pass-through area to enhance downforce and create a unique visual profile (at the expense of aerodynamic performance). Unlike a Mercedes-Benz EQE or Tesla Model 3, the Charger Daytona is full of character and screams for attention. This will undoubtedly appeal to enthusiasts, helping them embrace electrification as they reconnect with an iconic and dynamic American automobile.
The front grille in a rectangular design masterfully captures the spirit of the 1968 Charger. Distinctive white LED full-width front lighting and red “ring of fire” LED taillights make for a cool signature, with front and rear lights centered by a lit Fratzog logo—the new symbol of Dodge’s next-generation vehicles. Orange is just one of many available body colours, again echoing the original Charger.
Remember That Number: 496
Dodge’s use of the “Daytona” moniker is completely intentional. Ditto for the lack of an EV badge or anything that would give away the electric nature of this Charger. It’s once you see the missing tailpipes in the rear that you know the car is different.
By the way, there are two trim levels available at launch including R/T (base model) and Scat Pack (with up to 670 hp). Given the price gap, it's safe to assume a majority of Canadian buyers will opt for the R/T (depending on production, of course). This one produces 456 hp, with a PowerShot mode boosting output to 496 hp for 10 seconds and showing a graphic animation on the gauge cluster that makes you think you're gaining 200 hp. Combined torque from the two electric motors is rated at 404 lb-ft, while maximum range is 496 km.
These 496 km are achieved with the standard 18-inch wheels, which none of the test cars at the media event were equipped with. Range with the available 20-inch wheels is unspecified in the case of the R/T model, but it is said to be 388 km with the Scat Pack model. The latter shoots from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and runs the quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds—impressive figures, no doubt about that, but the R/T’s times of 4.7 seconds and 12.6 seconds are pretty decent, too.
Simply put, in order to save about one second in both sprints, customers have to sacrifice over 100 km of range. Honestly, that's not a good tradeoff, especially considering the Scat Pack’s price is 35 percent higher.
Mind-Blowing Performance
Acceleration is only half the story, mind you. The Charger Daytona is a real stunner on the track, as well. Despite weighing as much as a Ram 1500, it has a much lower centre of gravity combined with near-perfect weight distribution. The Scat Pack model, which is equipped with an adaptive suspension in addition to “Track” and “Drag” drive modes, justifies its higher price with improved agility. The wider tracks and high-performance tires (up to P305/30ZR20 in the front and P325/30ZR20 in the rear) also deserve credit, providing fantastic grip in corners. On the flip side, energy consumption hovers around 30 kWh/100 km.
The Charger Daytona Scat Pack can be fitted with Brembo brakes with six-piston front calipers and 16.2-inch discs, further demonstrating its sporting aspirations. If your definition of a “muscle car” is a machine with plenty of power in every aspect, then you can certainly call it that. In addition to its on-track prowess, the electric Dodge is a missile thanks to Launch Control, showing explosiveness off the line that rivals a Lucid Air Grand Touring or Tesla Model S.
On the road, performance is just as remarkable, with comfort and stability normally delivered by a large sedan. Even in R/T trim with no adaptive suspension, the Charger Daytona is a joy to drive. You see, the more sophisticated suspension might be excellent for handling, but it doesn't make the Scat Pack model any more comfortable. Precise steering, advanced soundproofing, competent driving assistance features and exceptional balance are all part of the package, and there’s also more generous feedback than you typically get with most other electric cars. That’s because this new Charger was developed using the same approach as a conventional, gasoline-powered car.
Chief Engineer Audrey Moore told us the new STLA platform is 50-percent stiffer than the previous Charger’s chassis, but don’t forget that the latter came from a Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform dating all the way back to the late ‘90s. Incidentally, the STLA platform is also designed to accommodate internal combustion engines, not just electric drive units.
Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust, What is That?
Arguably the most talked-about feature on the Charger Daytona is the so-called Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system, which uses two passive radiators and a rear-mounted speaker to create a unique exhaust profile and make you think you’re driving a Hellcat-powered Dodge, particularly at idle. Nice try, but we’re not fooled. Not only that, but we quickly got tired of hearing the fake, CVT-like sound under acceleration. And it remains louder at cruising speeds than a Hemi V8 normally would be. As far as we’re concerned, Hyundai did a much more convincing job with the Ioniq 5 N.
Fortunately, this gimmick can be turned off so you can drive in silent fashion. The decibel count is lowered in Auto mode, which is the one you'll be using on a daily basis. However, as soon as you select Sport mode, you'll hear an artificial growl, which later becomes downright violent in Track mode—so much so that police could pull you over and give you a ticket for excessive exhaust noise. Of course, it’ll be easy to plead your case in front of a judge and probably get away with it.
Life Inside
The Charger Daytona greets occupants with a largely monochromatic interior finished in black—unless you opt for the Scat Pack model and its optional red leather/suede upholstery. Material selection is a mixed bag. Sure, there’s leather, suede and even some carbon fibre to jazz things up, but many of the plastics feel cheap. Overall, the cabin provides a more inspiring environment than that of the previous Charger, but we expected better.
Ambient lighting adds a particularly cool dimension to the Charger Daytona experience. Naturally, you’ll also find a stunning digital instrument cluster—either 10.25 or 16 inches in size depending on the model. In the middle of the dashboard is a driver-oriented 12.3-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 technology. If you ask us, this is one of the best infotainment systems not just in the segment but in the entire auto industry. We wish many other automakers would take a page from Dodge.
Some of the interior design cues we’d like to highlight include the sleek shifter inspired by the famous “Pistol Grip” of vintage Chargers. True, a simple button or dial would have sufficed, but Dodge once again wanted to give the impression of a traditional car. Incidentally, this shifter will also be found in the gas-powered models. And let's not forget the beautifully sculpted seats, which provide exceptional comfort. That doesn’t change with the optional sport seats, by the way.
The comfortable, spacious and ergonomically flawless interior also impresses with generous rear-seat space. The Charger Daytona actually beats its predecessors in that department, whether in two- or four-door configuration.
Meanwhile, a liftgate—not a trunk lid—opens up to reveal 644 litres of cargo room, which can be expanded to 1,059 litres when the seats are folded. It almost feels like this two-door car is more versatile and more accommodating than a Dodge Hornet.
How Much?
The base 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T carries an MSRP of $54,995 plus $2,695 destination and additional fees, making it eligible to the $5,000 federal rebate and provincial incentives where applicable. It’s a serious bargain—on par with a RWD-equipped Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Tesla Model 3, or an AWD-equipped Chevrolet Equinox EV. Oh, and just so you know, you would pay about the same price for a 2025 Ford Mustang GT.
Incredibly, the Charger Daytona R/T is cheaper in Canada than in the U.S., where the base MSRP is set at $59,595. You can be sure than many Americans will make the trip across the border to buy one, unless Stellantis steps in and does something about that. The icing on the cake is 0 percent financing for up to 84 months and 1.99 percent leasing for 48 months.
When it comes to the top-line Charger Daytona Scat Pack, the Canadian MSRP is $86,995 plus $2,695 destination and additional fees. To be clear, that’s $32,000 more expensive than the base model. And obviously, no EV incentives are available with this one. If you add both the Plus Group ($9,495) and Sun & Sound Group ($3,695), you’re looking at a car that easily tops 100 grand.
Ready to Charge?
Forget the easy pun. The fact of the matter is that most Charger Daytona customers will be first-time EV owners, even in places like B.C. and Quebec. This is a fascinating car in many respects, especially the very attractively priced R/T model. The sportier Scat Pack? Not so much.
Dodge is sure to enjoy plenty of success with the Charger Daytona. And that’s a good thing for a brand that definitely needs a boost.
