The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV proves a great muscle car can be electric
- The world’s first electric muscle car is finally on the road
- But does the powerhouse EV actually make sense?
- The reviews are in!
Published on Dec 20, 2024 at 6:38 PM (UTC+4)
by Jack Marsh
Last updated on Dec 20, 2024 at 7:51 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
Can a muscle car really be electric? The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV range is pushing that exact hypothesis to the absolute limit.
Muscle cars are supposed to roar. Muscle cars are supposed to leave smoke in the rearview. Muscle cars are not supposed to peacefully hum and subdue to social norms, right?
Wrong.
The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV has come under a lot of pressure from American muscle fans, but the range is holding its own in some strenuous fan-made tests.
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Dodge Charger Daytona EV impresses as a muscle with admirable electric range
The Dodge Charger Daytona EV is clearly a massive change for this iconic brand, but the electric vehicle has already begun to impress critics (in most elements).
One of the main anxieties is the range of such a vehicle, and according to the YouTube account MotorTrend, you can actually get over 300 miles on a single charge, which is seriously impressive.
The standard range is 241 miles, but if you have lower-speed driving habits and tires with lower grip, you can get this over 300 miles.
The performance is admirable too, as the chassis keeps this powerful unit contained in the steering where other Dodges have failed.
“This vehicle feels far more ruthless (than other Chargers) and effective in cornering,” the channel said.
“It definitely feels more athletic than the Challenger that it is replacing.
“It’s not a track hero, it doesn’t have amazing track rubber, but enough grip to have a tonne of fun with this car.”
But, where are the burnouts?
While the charger is a beauty to drive, MotorTrend notes that its personality and party trick are lacking, making it feel drastically different.
The AWD setup and a lack of pedal overlap restrict the typical Dodge Charger burnouts.
The car still jets from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds, but it’s just like any other straight-line EV in that respect.
There’s also no reason why this is the case.
It would be completely feasible to have a software algorithm that would allow you to set the wheels free, according to MotorTrend.
There is a Drift and Donut Mode though. Do we need burnouts if we’ve got donuts?
Smoking tires aside though, Power Mode makes this car fly, and it comes out quicker than any Hellcat ever tested in a drag race.
There’s also the sound.
The gritty, loud, angry voice of a typical charger is now completely synthetic as the Daytona EV has speakers replicating what it should sound like.
This can be turned off to listen to the buzz of electricity, but there’s no real grrrrrrrr in this charging bull.
If you define a muscle car by its front and rear tire arm-wrestle for burnouts, then this Daytona EV might not fit into your liking, but for everything else, the Dodge Charger is a knockout and more.
