2025 Dodge Charger Daytona Review: Real Cost of Going Electric
2025 Dodge Charger Daytona starts at $59,595. We break down trims, EV range, ownership costs, and how it stacks up against the Mustang and Camaro.
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What It Is
The muscle car is electric now. The 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona is the first all-electric Dodge, and it arrives wearing the most storied name in the brand's history. This is not a hybrid, not a plug-in hybrid, and not a compromise. Dodge went full battery-electric with the Charger nameplate, betting that performance numbers alone would win over buyers who associate the brand with roaring V8s.
The Charger Daytona slots into the electric performance car segment, a space that is growing quickly but still thinly populated. The typical buyer is someone who wants head-turning looks and straight-line performance but is open to dropping the gas pump. Dodge is also clearly chasing younger buyers who grew up playing video games featuring the original Charger. The brand has added a "fratzonic chambered exhaust" system that pipes artificial sound through a speaker to simulate the feel of a combustion engine, which tells you something about the identity challenge Dodge is navigating here.
This is a full redesign and a complete powertrain overhaul. The Charger body is now a fastback coupe built on Stellantis's STLA Large electric platform. A four-door version is expected later, but for now, the Daytona launches as a two-door. Starting price is $59,595 before destination.
Trims and Pricing
Destination and handling adds $1,595 to all trims. You can configure your own build at the Dodge build-and-price page.
| Trim | Starting MSRP | Key Additions |
|---|---|---|
| Charger Daytona | $59,595 | 16-inch touchscreen, 400-hp single motor, standard safety suite |
| Charger Daytona R/T | $67,595 | 496-hp dual motor, sport-tuned suspension, Nappa leather seating |
| Charger Daytona SRT | $82,595 | 670-hp dual motor, Brembo brakes, track-tuned chassis, SRT Drive Modes |
| Charger Daytona SRT Banshee | $96,595 | 760-hp, launch control, performance summer tires, SRT exclusive exterior |
All prices are before destination. The SRT Banshee is the top-tier model and carries a price tag that puts it in sports car territory.
Powertrain Options
The Charger Daytona is available with two battery configurations and multiple output levels depending on trim.
The base Daytona uses a single rear-mounted motor producing 400 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. The R/T adds a front motor for all-wheel drive, bringing output to 496 horsepower. The SRT steps up to 670 horsepower, and the SRT Banshee tops out at 760 horsepower with a 0-to-60 mph time Dodge claims is under 3.3 seconds.
All trims use an 800-volt electrical architecture, which allows for faster DC fast charging. Dodge says the pack can accept up to 150 kW on compatible chargers.
EPA fuel economy and range ratings for the 2025 Charger Daytona were still being finalized at the time of publication. Check fueleconomy.gov for updated figures as they are released. Dodge has cited a targeted range of approximately 317 miles for the base rear-wheel-drive configuration. The dual-motor trims will likely see lower range figures due to added output and weight.
There is no gasoline powertrain option for the Charger Daytona. Dodge has confirmed a separate Charger with a Hurricane inline-six turbocharged engine is coming, but that is a different model.
Features and Technology
The interior centers on a 16-inch touchscreen running the Dodge-specific version of the Uconnect 5 system. The screen is large and responsive, and it supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster sits behind the steering wheel. The overall layout is driver-focused, with physical buttons retained for climate controls, which is the right call.
The fratzonic chambered exhaust deserves a separate mention. It is not a true exhaust. It is a speaker system that amplifies and pipes motor sounds into the cabin and out through a rear-mounted resonator. Drivers can adjust the volume or turn it off. It is an odd feature, but Dodge's research showed that buyers wanted some form of auditory feedback. Whether you find it charming or gimmicky depends on your feelings about synthetic sound.
Back seat space is tight, as expected for a fastback coupe. Rear headroom will challenge anyone over six feet tall. Cargo space in the trunk is usable for daily errands but not road trips with a full crew. There is no frunk storage worth mentioning.
Driver assistance features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. A 360-degree camera system is standard on R/T and above and available as an option on the base trim.
The SRT trims add a Performance Pages display that shows real-time power, torque, and g-force data. Launch control is reserved for the Banshee. SRT Drive Modes include Track, Drag, and Snow configurations.
Safety Ratings
NHTSA and IIHS crash test results for the 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona were not available at the time of this writing. The vehicle is too new to have completed the full testing cycle.
Check back at nhtsa.gov and iihs.org for updated ratings once testing is complete. Given the Daytona's performance focus and low ride height, buyers who prioritize safety ratings above all else may want to wait for those results before purchasing.
What It Costs to Own
This estimate is based on the Charger Daytona R/T, the mid-level trim, starting at $67,595 plus $1,595 destination for a total drive-away price of approximately $69,190.
Depreciation: New vehicles typically lose 15 to 22 percent of their value in the first year. On a $69,190 purchase price, that works out to roughly $10,379 to $15,222 in year-one depreciation. Electric vehicles from newer segments can depreciate faster than average, so budget toward the higher end.
Fuel (electricity): The R/T's energy consumption figure is not yet finalized by the EPA. As a reference point, a comparable EV with around 3.0 miles per kWh efficiency would consume approximately 5,000 kWh over 15,000 miles. At the national average electricity rate of about $0.16 per kWh, that comes to roughly $800 per year. Charging at home on a Level 2 charger will keep costs closer to that figure. Public fast charging will cost more.
Insurance: Full coverage on a new performance vehicle in this price range typically runs $1,800 to $2,800 per year, above the general average for new cars. High horsepower ratings and a new vehicle profile will push premiums higher. Get quotes before you buy.
Scheduled maintenance: Dodge has not yet published a formal maintenance schedule for the Charger Daytona at the time of this writing. Electric vehicles eliminate oil changes and reduce brake wear through regenerative braking. Expect the first service to involve tire rotation and a software check. Confirm the schedule with your dealer before purchase.
Estimated year-one cost: $13,000 to $19,000 all-in, depending on depreciation, insurance rates, and how much public charging you use.
Competition
Ford Mustang (gasoline) or Mustang Mach-E (electric): The traditional Mustang GT starts around $35,000 and delivers a real V8 experience for considerably less money than the Charger Daytona. The Mach-E is a crossover, not a coupe, so the comparison is imperfect. The Charger Daytona wins on outright performance and presence, especially in SRT trim. The Mustang wins on price, dealer network familiarity, and the fact that you can buy a gasoline version without apology.
Chevrolet Camaro: The Camaro was discontinued after the 2024 model year, so new examples are drying up fast. The Charger Daytona now occupies space the Camaro left behind. For buyers who want a two-door American performance coupe, the Daytona is currently the only new option from a domestic brand. The Camaro had a more engaging manual transmission option, which the Daytona cannot match since it is electric. But the Daytona wins on technology, range, and the fact that you can actually buy one new.
Tesla Model S (Performance): The Model S Performance starts around $89,990 and offers similar or greater performance in a large sedan package. Tesla's Supercharger network is larger and more reliable than what most Charger Daytona owners will have access to. The Charger Daytona wins on styling drama and brand identity. The Model S wins on real-world range, charging infrastructure, and over-the-air software maturity. They are aiming at slightly different buyers, but the performance overlap is real.
Bottom Line
The 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona is a legitimate performance car that happens to be electric. It looks the part, it performs well on paper, and it is the only new two-door American muscle coupe on the market right now. If you want the Dodge experience and you are willing to adapt to an EV ownership routine, the Charger Daytona makes a reasonable case for itself, especially in R/T or SRT trim.
Pass on this one if you are a strict EV efficiency buyer, because the Charger Daytona is not optimized for maximum range. Pass if you are a purist who will never accept synthetic engine sound. And pass if the $60,000-plus starting price is a stretch, because depreciation risk on a first-generation electric from a brand with no prior EV track record is real. Wait a model year or two if you are on the fence. Early adopters take the most risk here.
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