The muscle car segment enters a new era with the debut of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona. While muscle cars have long served as a platform for V8 evangelism, the Daytona represents the dawn of an all-new, all-electric age in the historically gas-powered segment. With the ability to produce up to 670 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, the Charger Daytona provides an edge-of-your-seat driving experience that leverages all the performance-related benefits an EV powertrain can offer.
From launch control and the Donut and Drift Modes to a 126-decibel simulated exhaust system and a line lock feature that lets drivers warm up their tires or perform a dramatic burnout, the Charger Daytona was clearly designed to maximize the opportunity for those automotive antics that have long defined the modern muscle car. This kind of performance potential alone might be enough to have you furiously searching the internet for a “Dodge dealer near me.”
The all-electric Charger embraces almost six decades of muscle car innovation, looking to the past to inform a new era of performance-focused design. The Daytona model was instrumental in Dodge’s ability to dominate the NASCAR scene of the late 1960s, but can the new, all-electric Daytona make the same sort of waves in the modern EV segment?
The brand has certainly given the Charger Daytona every chance to succeed, packing the muscle car with an ample, dual-motor electric powertrain, eight custom drive modes, a live data record complete with video, and more. But before you set out for a test drive, read on as we explore the 2024 Charger Daytona and learn how this EV could set a new bar in the increasingly performance-minded segment.
A Legacy of Innovation
The original Daytona emerged in 1969 as a souped-up, race-ready version of the existing Charger. The upgrade was an instant success, leading NASCAR in wins for the 1970 seasons, allowing driver Bobby Issac to capture the championship and making history as the first NASCAR model to reach 200 mph. The Daytona’s success in the racing world came as little surprise, especially when you consider the muscle car’s moniker.
Named after Daytona, Florida—the site of the marquee Daytona 500—the Dodge Daytona was designed with motorsport success in mind. While it might have earned its stripes on NASCAR’s banked curves, it was a CBS action comedy series that really brought the Daytona into the spotlight. Serving as the hero car for the top-rated “The Dukes of Hazzard,” the Daytona became an immediate icon thanks to its long-running cameo and its unique design.
One of the original aero-cars, the Daytona saw the stock Charger graced with a bevy of aerodynamic features that dramatically improved its odds at the track. A 23-inch-tall stabilizer wing, sheet-metal nose cone, cooling scoops, and a revised hood and fenders enabled the Daytona to cut through the air and leave many of its competitors in the dust. The Daytona and a few other “Winged Warrior” aero-cars were quickly banned by NASCAR, but by that point, the muscle car had already etched its name into the history books.
That brings us to today’s revived Charger Daytona. While it might lack some of the alluring aero elements that defined the original Daytona, it still carries the same spirit of innovation. We’ve seen a number of brands tack the “EV” tag onto existing models, but the Charger’s already-electrifying name made an EV version of the iconic muscle car all but inevitable. The prophecy fulfilled itself in 2024 as the all-electric Charger Daytona burst onto the scene. Equipped with a dual-motor setup that can produce a thrilling 670 hp, the new Charger EV lives up to the Daytona name with a next-gen powertrain that makes no sacrifices in terms of performance.
All-Electric, No Excuses
While early EVs were largely focused on efficiency, the segment has come a long way in recent years. Many of today’s all-electric vehicles can easily outperform their gas-powered forerunners thanks to some of the inherent advantages of the EV approach. The 2024 Charger Daytona is a prime example of all the performance-related benefits an EV can offer thanks to its potent powertrain, which includes a 100.5-kWh nickel cobalt aluminum battery, 400-volt architecture, and two electric motors.
The base R/T trim produces 456 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque, while the high-performance Scat Pack trim sees those numbers rise to 630 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. That should be more than enough power to stand any driver’s hair on end, but if you’re trying to really burn some rubber, it’s as easy as pushing a button. Both the R/T and Scat Pack come standard with a PowerShot button that can boost the muscle car’s output by 40 hp for up to 15 seconds. This extra burst of speed allows the R/T to post a maximum output of 496 hp while the Scat Pack delivers 670 ponies of pure driving excitement.
The R/T is certainly no slouch and is a relative bargain at just over $60k, but if you really want to experience everything the Charger has to offer, the Scat Pack represents an obvious upgrade. Designed with six-piston front brakes and a Track Package that includes four-piston rear brakes, staggered-width tires paired with 20-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, and a rear spoiler, the Scat Pack trim gives the Daytona all the equipment it needs to live up to the name.
There’s one more question about Dodge’s new all-electric muscle car: How well does this Charger charge? Any discussion of an EV’s performance wouldn’t be complete without touching on range and charging—two important new metrics to consider when buying an all-electric vehicle. Performance-minded EVs have traditionally sacrificed range in the name of pure power, but the Charger Daytona R/T defies this trend with more than 300 miles of total driving range.
While the industry average still hovers around 280 miles, the Charger Daytona R/T provides drivers with 308 miles of driving range. That number does decrease to 241 miles in the Scat Pack trim, but it’s a sensible sacrifice when you consider the trim’s 600+ hp potential. Both trims can be charged at a peak rate of 183 kW, meaning this Charger’s battery can reach 80% in around 27 minutes when connected to a DC Fast Charger.
A Mode for Every Moment
While the first-generation Charger blew drivers away with its available 7.0-liter HEMI V8, automotive innovation has come a long way in the last fifty-plus years. When the Charger debuted in 1966, tuning a muscle car involved plenty of mechanical know-how, a full set of wrenches, and hours under the hood, but the industry has evolved in the intervening half-century. One of the most notable advancements would have to be the debut of custom drive modes, which drastically change a vehicle’s dynamics to provide a bespoke driving experience.
Eco, Snow, and Sport drive modes have become an increasingly popular feature on a wide range of vehicles, but the 2024 Charger Daytona ups the ante with eight available drive modes that let the muscle car seamlessly switch between roles. Auto Mode provides a well-rounded driving experience, while Wet/Snow Mode provides a little extra security when encountering slick surfaces. These two options are great for daily driving, but it’s the other six modes that really give drivers the opportunity to put the Daytona through its paces.
Track Mode adjusts the Charger’s transmission, traction, steering, and suspension settings, activates the muscle car’s steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and reduces the output of the front electric motor to improve balance and reduce understeer. These small changes make a big difference, allowing the Charger Daytona to cruise through the curves and tap into its vast reserves of all-electric power. Sport Mode employs a similar approach, upping the car’s handling and lateral stability to offer an enhanced driving experience on both public and closed roads.
If you want to test Dodge’s claim of a 3.5-second zero-to-sixty time, Drag Mode is here to help. Aimed at maximizing acceleration on straight, dry surfaces, Drag Mode tailors the Daytona’s throttle response, power distribution, and suspension, working in tandem with the Launch Control setting to limit wheelspin and rocket the muscle car off the line. A Custom Mode gives drivers the opportunity to craft a personalized profile of settings based on their driving style, current road conditions, and preferences.
Still, it’s the Charger Daytona’s Drift and Donut modes that really up the fun factor. By adjusting the rear axle’s torque distribution, front and rear dampers, and traction control system, Drift Mode lets the Charger maintain a higher speed through turns for a true, edge-of-your-seat automotive experience. It might take years off your tires, but there are few better ways to enjoy yourself behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Speaking of burning rubber, Donut Mode is designed to do just that. By sidelining the traction control system, locking up the front wheels, and letting the rear wheels spin freely, Donut Mode makes it easy to leave your mark on any asphalt that you might come across. These latter two drive modes serve as Exhibit A and B for the Charger’s fun-first attitude. Muscle cars have never been about practicality, and while the Charger Daytona might have lost its hulking gas-powered V8, the Drift and Donut Modes are here to prove that an EV can still provide all the excitement and frivolity that the Charger has become known for.
Muscle Meets Modern Tech
The Charger Daytona showcases its futuristic approach before you even step foot inside the cabin. Those who enjoy a more traditional approach (and the opportunity to advertise their Charger ownership to the world) will appreciate the standard key fob with an eye-catching carbon fiber aesthetic, but there are actually two more options for accessing the interior.
A smartphone app serves as a mobile command center, allowing drivers to check their Charger’s battery level, adjust climate and charging settings, search for public charging stations, and remotely start the vehicle from a distance. This sort of smartphone-based key is becoming increasingly common throughout the industry, but the Charger Daytona does set itself apart with a Near Field Communication (NFC) card that provides hands-free access to the interior. The NFC card is ideal for those times when you don’t want to fumble around with a set of keys, like when you’re testing your Charger’s mettle at a local track.
The Charger Daytona is primed for high-speed entertainment, but if you’re seeking a little proof to silence the “pics or it didn’t happen” set, look no further than the Performance Pages feature. Accessed through this Charger’s touchscreen infotainment system, Performance Pages gives drivers the opportunity to monitor and record every metric you can imagine. From gauges and timers to g-forces and more, Performance Pages creates a permanent record of your most memorable moments.
An available Drive Experience Recorder (DXR) will log everything for posterity so drivers can relive the fastest lap with audio, vehicle data, and even video playback from their Charger’s front-facing camera for later viewing on your touchscreen display, connected app, or external device thanks to a USB connection. You can even map and save specific tracks, which can be helpful when doing a little post-race analysis. Reviewing all the relevant data—including braking and exit trajectory—can make all the difference when it comes to beating your best lap time.
The Muscle Car Has Gone Electric
The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona represents a new, if unexpected, chapter in the muscle car’s long history. Conceived, designed, and produced as a means of unlocking the true potential of the EV approach, the Charger Daytona offers a high-octane driving experience that’s notably devoid of actual octane. Using the Charger name for a new, all-electric model might seem like a gamble, but the Daytona lives up to the muscle car’s reputation while integrating some clever new features that simply wouldn’t be possible in a gas-powered model.
Petrol purists take heart: Dodge hasn’t fully discontinued the internal combustion approach. After a brief hiatus that saw Dodge skip the 2024 model year, the 2025 Charger will hit the market later this year with a new twin-turbocharged inline-six under the hood. The new Hurricane engine, which has already made its debut in the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, can produce up to 550 hp when opting for the High Output (HO) model, but even that lofty number pales in comparison to the sort of performance offered by this EV newcomer.
