Dodge Charger

The new Charger has a clear visual connection to the prior coupe (Challenger) and sedan. But the front is quite different, with its bulging and scooped aluminum hood; simplified, horizontal grille; and integrated lighting.

The Charger measures 206.6 inches, bumper to bumper, making it almost 6 inches longer than the previous generation Charger sedan. It rides on a similar wheelbase at 121 inches, and it stands about an inch taller. (The new coupe and sedan share a common wheelbase, unlike before.)

Horizontal LEDs embellish the rear end, much like the outgoing model. More significantly, the Charger is now a hatchback, adding clear versatility to the overall package. Dodge says this allows more cargo space than the previous Charger, although to maximize it, the rear seats do need to be folded forward. Electric models have a small storage compartment under the hood. A panoramic glass top is offered for the first time. 

There are eight exterior colors available, including some typically bold choices, and nine available wheel designs can dress up the corners.

Muscle cars have long been known as being a bit hefty, due in large part to the fortified design meant to withstand big power and track abuse, and giant engines. The new Charger Daytona weighs 5,838 pounds, a stunning 1,500 pounds more than the last V8-powered Charger sedan we tested. (That’s 2,000 pounds more than the Mustang GT we are testing now.)

As expected, the cabin is more modern than before, yet the squared-off steering wheel with contrasting stitching makes it look familiar. The instrument cluster is presented on a 10.25- or optional 16-inch display. The infotainment screen is decidedly horizontal and canted toward the driver. Dodge cites that there are design touches throughout intended to evoke the 1968 Charger. Accent lighting can be personalized from among 64 colors, and its intensity relates to various events, such as starting the car or opening the door.

The steering wheel has paddle shifters on electric models to manage the regenerative braking intensity, and there is a Power Shot button on the front to deliver extra energy for rapid acceleration or to fulfill fantasies of driving like Dom Toretto from the Fast and the Furious movies, judiciously applying a nitrous squirt in his 1970 Charger.

The center console features a wireless phone charger. Electric models feature “Daytona” badging. Standard seats are wrapped in cloth and leatherette (aka faux leather), with available upgrades to include leather, suede, and heat.

What Drives It

The Charger Daytona uses a 400-volt system feeding two electric motors, enabling all-wheel drive. In Mopar fashion, these electric versions are designed to allow multi-stage upgrades. The initial Daytona available at launch comes with a 40-horsepower Stage 1 upgrade good for 456 horsepower and a limited peak of 496 horsepower when using the Power Shot for a 40-hp boost. It has an estimated 308-mile driving range. Dodge pegs its 0 to 60 mph time at 4.7 seconds, with the quarter mile passing in 13.1 seconds. (The last Charger R/T we tested with a V8 took 6.1 seconds to hit 60 mph and 14.5 seconds to reach the quarter-mile mark.)

The Daytona Scat Pack comes with a Stage 2 kit for 630 horsepower and a 241-mile driving range. Output peaks at 670 horsepower when using the Power Shot feature—essentially the electric equivalent to hitting nitrous. Its claimed 0 to 60 mph is 3.3 seconds and the quarter-mile time is 11.5 seconds.

The 100.5-kW nickel-cobalt battery pack has a peak discharge rate of 550 kW to maximize acceleration, say for racing down a quarter-mile track. The automaker states that both cars can be recharged from 20 to 80 percent state-of-charge in about 27 minutes on a DC fast charger.

Performance can be tailored to the driving needs via driver-selectable modes: Drag, Track, Drift, and Donut modes. There is an optional active suspension available on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack with the Track Package designed to rapidly respond to changing road conditions and allow customization via the drive modes.

A faux exhaust sound scales its volume commensurate with performance, ranging from a “stealth” mode up to Hellcat ferocity.

For more traditional customers who favor mechanical sounds, there are two variations of the twin-turbocharged inline-six engine. This “Hurricane” engine has been used in other Stellantis products, such as Jeep SUVs, where it promises lower emissions and better fuel economy than the long-lived Hemi V8 engines it replaces.

The standard output six has 420 horsepower, with the high-output six boasting 550 horsepower. Each is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For straightline racing, there is a line lock and launch control. Plus, all-wheel drive will certainly aid grip for hard acceleration.

Further aiding traction are the largest tires ever offered by Dodge. Available through a track package, the Charger can be fitted with 20-inch wheels shod with staggered Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires (305/35ZR20 front, 325/35ZR20 rear).

All versions of the Charger come with automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and driver attention monitoring. Optional features include a surround-view camera, parking sensors, front camera, and blind spot camera that displays on the center screen when the turn signal is activated.