10 Highlights Of The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona (2024)

Ever since Dodge announced 2023 would be the last year for internal combustion engine muscle cars, there has been a dark cloud hanging over Moparland. The plan was to replace the Charger and Challenger with an electric vehicle known as the Charger Daytona. The concept car for this new EV, unveiled at the 2023 SEMA show, is definitely cool looking, but with no ICE options, there was nothing but sadness among the Mopar faithful.

Well, Dodge has finally released the 2024 Charger Daytona and those electrical storm clouds have cleared as there is indeed a gas engine variant available. Yes, it is still an impressive performance EV, but also a classic high-octane muscle car. It never made sense that Dodge was getting out of the ICE muscle business, and as it turns out, they were pulling a "New co*ke" style of marketing sleight-of-hand to create increased demand.

The wait is finally over with Dodge unveiling the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona, and it is even more amazing than expected. Offering both EV and ICE versions, there isn't a slow model in the bunch, and, quite frankly, some of the top performance trims are scary fast, paying tribute to the legacy of Mopar muscle cars. Including impressive luxury and tech, this is the update the Charger desperately needed. Ford and Chevy are officially on notice because they don't offer anything close to this game-changing performance ride.

10 2024 Dodge Charger

Rebirth Of A Legend

The Charger nameplate is one of the most revered models in muscle car history. Dodge initially launched the Charger in 1966 as an upsized pony car, but it was kind of odd-looking and didn't break any sales records.

The platform had promise and when it was updated in 1968 to a mid-sized coupe, it was a smashing success with the model literally defining the classic muscle car era. Due to emissions regulations and changing consumer trends, the Charger became a shell of its former glory, before being discontinued in 1978, with a brief reappearance as a trim package in the 1980s.

Dodge Charger Legacy

• First generation: 1966 - 1967
• Second generation: 1968 - 1970
• Third generation: 1971 - 1974
• Fourth generation: 1975 - 1978
• Fifth generation: 1982 - 1987
• Sixth Generation: 2006 - 2010
• Seventh generation: 2011 - 2023
• Eighth generation: 2025 -

In one of the greatest comebacks ever, Dodge rebooted the Charger in the mid-2000s as a four-door muscle sedan, offering some of the most powerful cars to ever hit the streets. With the new 2024 Dodge Charger, that legacy of performance is not only honored but expanded.

The EV versions, which carry the Daytona name, match or surpass the power of any car that Dodge has ever built. The ICE variants, which will apparently be known as SIXPACKs, pack the same number of ponies under the hood as many of the legendary Mopar models. Size, shape, style, and propulsion may change, but a Charger is all about speed.

9 The World's First EV Muscle Car

Electrified Performance

In EV form, the 2024 Charger Daytona is an all-wheel drive battery-powered EV, with dual permanent magnet synchronous motors that deliver instant torque to all four corners. The base model R/T cranks out 456 horsepower, upgradable to 496, and 404 pound-feet of torque for either version. The Scat Pack trim offers up to 670 horsepower and a frame-twisting 670 pound-feet of torque. There is also a Banshee trim, that hasn't been released yet.

Charger EV vs. ICE

(Performance stats sourced from Dodge)

For now, the Daytona Scat Pack is the top performer of the line-up and is easily the king of the streets with performance that far surpasses any muscle car offerings from Ford or Chevy. The Daytona EVs have a 400-volt propulsion system powered by a 100.5 kW ion lithium battery pack.

The R/T is expected to deliver 317 miles of range, with the higher-performance Scat Pack trim coming in at 260 miles. The range of the vehicle can be improved with a feature that allows the switching off of all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive only. However, in the RWD mode, insane launch speeds are not possible.

8 The Gas Engine Option ICE Cold

Rock You Like A Hurricane

Not to brag, but TopSpeed totally called it on the Charger ICE variant when leaked factory photos showed a gas cap port and engine mounts. The gas-powered Charger comes equipped with the 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane High Output inline-six-cylinder engine.

The base Model Charger SIXPACK S.O. produces 420 horsepower, while the top dog SIXPACK H.O. jams an astounding 550 ponies. Either engine makes the next-gen Charger among the most powerful gas burners the nameplate has ever produced.

Hurricane vs. HEMI

(Performance stats sourced from Dodge)

There is sadly no HEMI option for the ICE Charger SIXPACK, but in reality, the Hurricane engine packs a lot more punch. Still, it would have been cool if Dodge dubbed it the "Hemi Hurricane" because Mopar fans love having a HEMI badge somewhere on their rides.

7 Four-Door Charger Makes A Comeback

More Doors, More Fun

When Dodge rebooted the Charger in 2006, there was a bit of concern among Mopar fans because it had a couple of extra doors. Chargers have always been two-door coupes, and, for that matter, all muscle cars have traditionally been limited to a pair of entry points.

It turns out there was no need to worry, because the four-door Charger was the coolest-looking sedan ever made, and Dodge had the foresight to offer V-8 engine options, including the 5.7-liter HEMI. The sixth-gen Charger was a legitimate muscle car.

When Dodge first revealed the Charger Daytona EV prototype, one of the big selling points was the fact that they went back to a two-door configuration. While the all-electric Daytona and gas-powered SIXPACK are available as a two-door coupe, they both will eventually come in four-door models too.

Built with the same body style, the four-door shakes up what it means to be a sedan, with absolutely killer styling. Both door configurations are also more or less a hatchback.

6 Advanced Tech Charges The Charger

A Technological Marvel

There wouldn't be much point in taking the Charger into a new generation if it didn't have the tech to match, so the 2024 is loaded with electronic goodies. The R/T comes with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and the Scat Pack bumps that up to 16 inches.

The standard central 12.3-inch infotainment system runs on the Uconnect 5 platform and wirelessly connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Included is the standard Alpine nine-speaker, 506-watt sound system with subwoofer, upgradable to a premium 18-speaker, 914-watt system.

Charger Daytona Tech Features

• Digital Key app controls the car through a smartphone
• Available 360-degree camera
• Available Drive Experience recorder
• Performance Pages vehicle performance metrics app
• Attitude Adjustment interior lighting app

Many of the Charger's controls are activated via the touchscreen which is loaded with apps like navigation. Speaking of which, the EV models' battery monitoring system not only shows power flow information, battery regeneration status, and charge states; but is linked to the navigation, and locating charging stations along the route.

Also included are wireless smartphone charging, BlueTooth connectivity, and wireless hotspot. There is additionally a full suite of driver-assist and safety systems, most of which are standard.

5 Charger Interior Luxury

Scoring Style Points

As breathtaking as the Charger is on the outside, the interior is absolutely gorgeous. Coming standard with cloth/vinyl seats, upgraded heated Black Nappa leather and Demonic Red Nappa leather seats are available.

The optional front buckets are high-backed fixed headrest seats with a unique pass-through. The lines and materials of the interior are clean and classy, with an advanced minimalist approach.

Interior Dimensions

(Source: Dodge)

Aside from being a next-gen EV, this is a Charger at heart and the interior design pays homage to that. The linework and texture of the instrument panel are supposed to evoke the gauge cluster of the classic 1968 Charger R/T.

Adding a little more retro style, there is a pistol grip shifter harking back to the Hemi Hurst four-speed classics. The roomy interior is accented with unprecedented muscle car cargo space thanks to the "hidden hatch" design and fold-flat rear seats, giving it 133 percent more storage space than the outgoing Charger models.

4 Superior Handling Of The Charger

Suspended Animation

Power and style are certainly important, but don't mean much if the car drives like a concrete slab or a bounce house. Thankfully, Dodge put as much attention into the Charger Daytona's drivability as it did with the rest of the vehicle.

The Charger has a multi-link front suspension with forged aluminum links that offer a responsive ride and a fully independent rear suspension with 4-link geometry for tight handling around the corners. The optional brake package includes 16-inch Brembo vented rotors with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.

Charger Daytona Performance Features

• 20-inch wheels
• Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires
• Brake by Wire eBoost regenerative braking system
• Dual-valve Semi-active Suspension
• Launch Control

The Daytona features a variety of drive modes for every kind of road condition, from snow to drag racing. There is also an available launch control mode, that cranks up an extra 40 horsepower for 15 seconds of throttle mayhem.

Donut Mode disables the traction control and allows for smokey rear wheel-only burnouts, while Drift Mode loosens up the front dampers for controlled oversteer racing. The electric motor and battery design give the Daytona a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution for superior handling.

3 The Daytona Is Making Some Noise

Digital Exhaust Noise Maker

The hardest thing for a muscle car fan to reconcile with an EV is the complete lack of satisfying rumble and roar. Most EVs either don't make much noise at all or sound like an electric nose hair trimmer, struggling up a difficult nostril. With the Charger Daytona, Dodge addressed that with the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust. Basically, the car has speakers that pump out engine noises, related to the level of acceleration. Everything from idle to high RPM shifts is blasted out to enhance the driving experience and freak out pedestrians.

Allegedly, the pseudo exhaust is designed to replicate the sounds of a Hellcat engine, matching it in tone and decibels. The function can be turned off, but there's no point in driving a high-performance car like this without letting everybody know how powerful it is. This may seem similar to how vegans keep trying to make steak and chicken out of soy protein, as a sad substitute for the real thing, but fake engine noise is better than the low-speed blender sounds of most EVs.

2 The Charger Daytona's Neo-Retro Design

Classically Futuristic

When Dodge first revealed the Charger Daytona prototype, the Mopar purists who were bellyaching that it was an EV had to admit it was a thing of beauty. Taking the classic "co*ke bottle" shape of the second-gen Charger, Dodge updated it with a sleek, modern look.

Both the EV Daytonas and ICE SIXPACKs incorporate the wide-body design for an aggressive stance that is still somehow elegant. The front fascia is an updated nod to the '68 Charger, with a body-width black-out, concealing the headlights.

Charger Daytona Dimensions

(Source: Dodge)

Dodge calls their front end the "R-Wing" and explains that it controls the airflow to create downforce while looking wickedly sharp. It features cross-car lighting and the headlamps are laser-etched with the Dodge logo.

The hidden hatchback integrates with the moon roof to create a tinted glass blackout top. Of course, one of the most important things about a Mopar muscle car is the identifying emblems, and all trims are fender-badged with the appropriate logo. Again, it's a real shame "HEMI" is nowhere to be found on this otherwise perfect set of wheels.

1 The 2024 Dodge Charger Is Street Ready

Coming to a Dodge Dealer Near You

The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona two-door R/T and Scat Pack are scheduled to hit the dealership floors this year. The four-door EVs and the ICE SIXPACK models will apparently go on sale sometime in early 2025. There is no word on pricing just yet.

When Dodge discontinued the Charger and Challenger after the 2023 model year, there was deep concern that they were making a huge mistake. Both of the gas-powered muscle cars were extremely popular as well as big sellers, and it almost seemed suicidal to replace them with an EV. Now that Dodge has unveiled their plan, it's a stroke of genius.

They not only corner the market in the EV muscle car segment, but they also have a traditional ICE performance coupe that blows away everything else on the road.