The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV sets out to prove that electrification and muscle-car attitude aren’t mutually exclusive. With up to 670 horsepower, a synthetic exhaust note loud enough to turn heads, and genuine cargo versatility, this two-door EV reimagines what a Dodge muscle car can be in the battery-electric era. For anyone tracking the shift toward high-performance EVs, the Charger Daytona is one of the more compelling arguments yet that going electric doesn’t mean giving up drama.
Overview: Dodge’s Bold Electric Muscle-Car Bet
Dodge’s mission with the Charger Daytona EV is straightforward: deliver a genuine muscle-car experience without a drop of gasoline. The brand is leaning hard into horsepower as its calling card, with 496 hp available in the Charger Daytona R/T and 670 hp in the range-topping Charger Daytona Scat Pack. Dodge is also hedging its bets with a gasoline-powered Charger variant using the Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six, expected in 2025.
Electric Chargers wear the Daytona badge to distinguish them from their gas-powered siblings. Power comes from a 93.9-kWh battery feeding front and rear electric motors, with the rear motor benefiting from a limited-slip differential and the front motor equipped with a disconnect feature to boost efficiency. True to Dodge’s flair for nostalgia, the Daytona features the “Fratzonic” electronic exhaust system — named after the triangular Fratzog emblem found on classic Dodge muscle cars — which pipes in an aggressive synthetic exhaust note.
Stylistically, this new two-door Charger skips the last two generations entirely, instead drawing inspiration from the first- and second-generation Chargers with a cleaner, more modern design both inside and out. The phrase “electric muscle car” may take some getting used to among traditionalists, but the Charger Daytona backs up its looks with genuine performance credentials. These first-edition two-doors will be followed by a four-door model in 2025, offered in both electric and gasoline configurations.
What’s New for 2024
Everything about the Charger is new from the ground up, and this electric-only Daytona variant represents Dodge’s first serious entry into the emerging electric muscle-car category. Two-door production is scheduled to begin in mid-2024, with deliveries following shortly after. Four-door Charger Daytona R/T and Scat Pack sedans — along with gasoline two- and four-door Chargers — are expected to enter production in early 2025. A more powerful SRT Banshee trim is also reportedly in development, though it likely won’t arrive until the 2026 model year.
Pricing and Trim Lineup
The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV carries an MSRP ranging from roughly $61,590 to $74,185 depending on trim and options, with a well-equipped Scat Pack tester reaching $86,660 as tested. Buyers choose between the Daytona R/T and the more powerful Daytona Scat Pack, each offering distinct performance ceilings and equipment packages, including an available Track Package with 20-inch wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3 tires.
Powertrain, Motor, and Performance
Both Charger Daytona models are built on a 400-volt architecture paired with an integrated charge module and dual electric motors — one front, one rear. The 93.9-kWh nickel cobalt aluminum battery supplies the energy. Drivers get three levels of regenerative braking adjustable via steering-wheel paddles, plus a PowerShot button that delivers a 15-second, 40-hp power boost, unlocking the car’s maximum rated outputs of 496 hp for the R/T and 670 hp for the Scat Pack.
Dodge hasn’t let the switch to electric power dull the car’s personality. Optional features include Donut Mode, Drift Mode, Line Lock, and Launch Control — all borrowed straight from the internal-combustion muscle-car playbook. Performance Pages return as well, tracking acceleration times, g-forces, and propulsion data for post-drive review, while an available Drive Experience Recorder captures audio, video, and vehicle telemetry from onboard and external cameras.
During Car and Driver’s test drive, the Charger Daytona impressed with strong power delivery and a surprisingly compliant ride, particularly when equipped with the optional adaptive dampers. It’s a big car and drives like one through corners, feeling more like a grand tourer than a razor-sharp sports car — a trait that may appeal to buyers who want muscle-car theater without a punishing daily-driving experience.
0-60 MPH Times and Acceleration
In independent testing, the Charger Daytona Scat Pack rocketed to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds — quicker than the previous gasoline-powered Hellcat variant. The Daytona R/T is estimated to hit 60 mph in approximately 4.9 seconds. The Scat Pack also completed the quarter-mile in 11.7 seconds at 119 mph during testing, numbers that put it firmly in supercar territory despite its four-passenger practicality.
Range, Charging, and Battery Performance
EPA estimates place the Charger Daytona R/T’s range at up to 308 miles, while the Charger Daytona Scat Pack is rated at 241 miles. Choosing the R/T’s optional 18-inch wheels drops range to 274 miles, or 268 miles with performance-oriented tires. Swapping the Scat Pack’s all-season tires for stickier rubber reduces its range to 216 miles.
Peak DC fast-charging capability tops out at 183 kW for both trims, while onboard AC charging is capped at 11 kW. Dodge claims a 20-to-80% charge takes just over 27 minutes on a Level 3 DC fast charger. At a 350-kW charging station, the Daytona R/T can add roughly 9.9 miles of range per minute, while the Scat Pack adds about 8.1 miles per minute. Owners can also access Stellantis’s Free2Move Charge network for public charging credits.
Fuel Economy and MPGe Ratings
EPA fuel economy estimates for the Daytona R/T stand at 104 MPGe city and 91 MPGe highway with base wheels, dropping to 92/81 MPGe with 18-inch wheels and 90/79 MPGe with 20-inch performance wheels. The Scat Pack achieves 82 city/72 highway MPGe on standard tires, or 74/66 MPGe with performance rubber. Car and Driver has yet to complete its real-world 75-mph highway range test, which will be added once available.
Interior Design, Comfort, and Cargo Space
Inside, buyers can choose between a 10.3-inch or 16.0-inch digital instrument cluster, paired with a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Designers clearly aimed to echo the spirit of the original 1968 Charger throughout the cabin. A modern take on Dodge’s classic “pistol grip” shifter sits in the center console alongside the start button and a wireless phone charger.
Despite its coupe-like silhouette, the Charger Daytona is actually a hatchback, and its rear seats fold flat to reveal 39 cubic feet of cargo space — 23 cubic feet with the seats upright. Dodge says this represents a 133% increase in cargo volume compared to the outgoing Charger. A small 1.5-cubic-foot frunk adds a bit of extra storage up front.
Infotainment and Connectivity Features
A 12.3-inch touchscreen anchors Chrysler’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which supports satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and navigation with a new Charging Location feature to simplify finding charging stations. Dedicated EV pages display power flow, regeneration status, and battery charge levels. A digital key app pairs with owners’ smartphones, backed up by an NFC smart card for keyless access without a phone.
The companion Dodge app allows remote monitoring of charge levels, charge scheduling, and charging-station location from anywhere. A head-up display is available as an option. Standard audio comes from a nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine system with subwoofer, while an 18-speaker, 914-watt premium Alpine setup is available for buyers who want a more immersive sound experience.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Technology
The Charger comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard and optional safety features, regardless of powertrain. Alongside expected staples like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, it also includes vulnerable road user detection — technology aimed at identifying pedestrians and cyclists. Key safety highlights include:
- Standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard adaptive cruise control
- Available camera-based parking assistance
Buyers researching crash-test performance can consult official ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) once testing is complete.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Dodge backs the Charger Daytona EV with coverage structured around both conventional and EV-specific components:
- Limited warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Electric component warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV?
The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV delivers more muscle-car drama than most buyers will expect from an electric vehicle. Its blend of serious horsepower, a surprisingly comfortable ride, and genuinely practical hatchback cargo space makes it stand out in a crowded EV performance segment. The trade-offs — modest range figures relative to some rivals, a synthetic exhaust note some purists may find contrived, and handling that leans more toward grand-touring comfort than razor-sharp cornering — are worth weighing against its undeniable strengths.
For buyers who want an EV that doesn’t apologize for being fast, loud, and full of personality, the Charger Daytona EV earns its 8.5/10 rating and a spot near the top of the electric muscle-car conversation. If you’re cross-shopping performance EVs, it’s worth test-driving alongside rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N to see which philosophy fits your driving style best. Have you driven the Charger Daytona EV yet? Share your impressions, and check out more in-depth EV reviews to keep exploring the electric performance landscape.
References
Car and Driver. (2024). 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV Overview and Test Results. Retrieved from caranddriver.com.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Vehicle Ratings. Retrieved from nhtsa.gov.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. (n.d.). Vehicle Safety Ratings. Retrieved from iihs.org.
Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Fuel Economy Data. Retrieved from fueleconomy.gov.