Is the Dodge Charger Daytona a Good EV? 4 Pros, 3 Cons
Combining styling cues from the classic Dodge Charger and Challenger muscle cars with electric power and retro themes from even earlier in its history, the Charger Daytona is Dodge’s first production electric vehicle. Available with a choice of two or four-doors and positioned more as an electric-powered muscle car than an environmentally (and wallet) friendly chariot, the reincarnated Charger Daytona is anything but a traditional electric car.
Related: 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack Review: Identity Crisis
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With its large footprint, chiseled styling and bright color palette, the Charger Daytona is likely not a top choice for wallflowers and traditional EV buyers alike. The Daytona is focused less on efficiency and more on performance, with a potent powertrain, quick acceleration and impressively nimble handling for its size. Direct competitors are few, but the Tesla Model 3 Performance and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N come closest. The Charger Daytona EV continues for 2026, but the lineup has been cut back to just include the Scat Pack trim.
Cars.com West Coast Bureau Chief Conner Golden attended a Charger Daytona launch event outside of Phoenix, and he found that beneath its aggro styling, the Charger is an impressive EV, even if it’s not entirely clear who it’s intended for. (Per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its own travel and accommodations when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.) Tap the link above to read his expert review, or for a quick look at four things we like about the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV and three things we don’t, keep reading.
What Do We Like About the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona?
1. Strong Powertrain
The Charger lineup has evolved fast in the ever-changing EV market. All fully electric models are now Charger Daytonas and have been cut back to one trim since launch. Gas models have rejoined the lineup for 2026, though they are branded without the Daytona suffix. The Charger Daytona Scat Pack EV comes with all-wheel drive and combines 93.9 kilowatt-hours of battery capacity with two electric motors for a maximum 670 horsepower and 627 pounds-feet of torque. Acceleration is expectedly brisk, with a claimed 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds. The now-discontinued base R/T trim used the same battery and two-motor layout but capped output at 496 hp.
2. Extra Shot
To extract maximum performance from the Daytona Scat Pack, hit the evocatively named PowerShot button on the steering wheel. This unleashes an additional 40 hp for up to 10 seconds and makes for a fun, if unnecessary, party trick that, yes, does allow for smoky burnouts. Without this extra juice, the Scat Pack limits output to a “mere” 630 hp.
3. EV Grand Tourer
On the open road, the Charger Daytona feels more nimble than its large footprint and 5,800-pound curb weight might suggest. An adaptive suspension keeps things buttoned down, with controlled body motions and limited body lean in turns without sacrificing ride quality. Sticky summer tires provide plenty of grip, and steering is quick and responsive, if lacking much feel. Unfortunately, range is less impressive, with the Charger Daytona Scat Pack good for just an EPA-rated 241 miles, dropping to just 216 miles with summer tires.
4. Beaucoup Brakes
Dodge has done a nice job balancing regenerative and physical braking systems with the Daytona, making it easy to smoothly bring it to a stop without drama. The brakes are also impressively strong, making easy work of bringing this very heavy EV to a stop smoothly and effortlessly.
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What Do We Dislike About the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona?
1. Delayed Response
We noticed an annoying powertrain lag during our time with the Charger Daytona, amounting to almost a half-second from a standstill even in the most performance-focused Sport mode. That can seem like an eternity when making a quick merge onto a busy road.
2. Canned Soundtrack
Synthesized engine sounds are all the rage, as manufacturers look for ways to fill the cabin with the soundtrack of a potent engine whether there’s one under the hood or not. We appreciate the effort, even if the results often fall short of the goal. The Charger is no exception, and its canned sounds aren’t especially bad. They’re just not the same as the real thing and do get a bit tiring after a spell. At least it can be turned off.
3. Pricey Performer
The base price for our tested 2024 Charger Daytona Scat Pack came to just over $75,000, making it about $20,000 more than the last Charger Scat Pack, which came equipped with a V-8 engine, and the Tesla Model 3 Performance.
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