Dodge has electrified one of America’s best-known muscle nameplates, replacing the Charger’s signature V8 soundtrack with a 100.5-kWh battery, dual motors, and a synthetic “Fratzonic” exhaust. A weeklong evaluation shows the Daytona Scat Pack EV delivers undeniable pace and surprisingly poised handling—but also raises questions about reliability, value, and whether the electric reboot captures the Charger’s character.
The Big Picture
The latest Charger arrives as a symbol of Dodge’s transition away from Hemi power in its halo coupe. That shift lands amid skepticism from Mopar loyalists and soft early demand, with some Canadian dealers reportedly advertising steep markdowns to move inventory. Against that backdrop, the Daytona Scat Pack presents itself as the flagship EV: visually faithful to the 1970 silhouette, aggressively styled, and loaded with performance hardware.
Why it matters: The Charger has long been shorthand for American muscle. Whether an all-electric version can satisfy brand faithful—and new buyers paying premium money—will help determine how quickly legacy performance brands can pivot to battery power without losing their soul.
Design: Heritage Outside, Mixed Execution Inside
Visually, the Daytona Scat Pack nails the brief. The long hood, fastback roofline, and LED light bar clearly echo classic Chargers. With the Carbon & Suede Package, 20-inch wheels and carbon accents push the look firmly into modern-muscle territory. On the street, it turns heads; fellow Mopar drivers, however, appear less uniformly impressed.
Inside, the story is more complicated. The cabin is roomier and more driver-oriented than the last-gen Charger, with comfy, well-bolstered seats and attractive wraparound ambient lighting. The optional glass roof opens up the space, and the throwback “steak-knife” shifter provides satisfying physical engagement that many modern EVs lack.
Material quality and refinement, though, don’t consistently meet the six-figure (CAD) transaction price noted for the tested car. Panel squeaks, loosely fitting trim, and wind/structure noise around the panoramic roof undermine the premium pitch. A haptic climate control strip proves fussy, while the infotainment system—feature-rich—can be convoluted and glitch-prone. The optional Alpine audio hits hard on bass, but doesn’t reach true luxury fidelity.
Powertrain & Performance: Numbers That Amaze, Thrills That Fade
On paper and on launch, the Scat Pack EV is ferocious. With up to 670 hp and 627 lb-ft, all-wheel drive, and a PowerShot feature that temporarily adds 30 hp, the car rips from 0–60 mph in about 3.3 seconds and runs the quarter in a claimed 11.5 seconds. Initial acceleration shocks and delights.
What lingers more than the straight-line hit is the handling balance. Despite a curb weight approaching 6,000 lbs, the Daytona feels composed on fast sweepers, with confident braking augmented by intuitive, paddle-adjustable regen. Ride quality is firm but livable, and the chassis finally gives the Charger real cornering credibility.
Where the experience falls short is in character. Once the novelty of repeated launch-control hits wears off, the powertrain’s drama can feel one-note compared with the visceral crescendo of the old supercharged Hellcat V8. The synthetic “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust” attempts theater, but its startup bark and amplified tones remain divisive rather than stirring.
Range, Charging, and Key Specs
- Battery: 100.5-kWh lithium-ion
- Drivetrain: Dual-motor AWD
- Output: Up to 670 hp / 627 lb-ft
- Official range: Up to 241 miles (driving style can materially reduce that)
- DC fast-charge peak: ~183 kW (quick top-ups are feasible on capable chargers)
In routine use, the car charges briskly on a suitable DC fast charger and offers adequate real-world range for performance-EV duty—so long as you’re not constantly exploiting its acceleration.
Reliability & Quality Concerns
The test vehicle suffered a serious hiccup: after a short park period, it refused to start, triggered multiple warning messages (including “Service Battery System” and “Service Active Damping”), and required a tow. A dealer replaced the 12-volt battery, after which the vehicle was drivable, though an intermittent 12-volt warning light reappeared. Secondary annoyances included inconsistent door lock responses and audible clicking noises while the car was parked and off.
For a near-new example with roughly 1,800 km, the episode is notable. Early production EVs often face software and low-voltage system gremlins; for a $70k-plus (USD) performance flagship, buyers will expect tighter execution.
Price & Value
- As tested (Canada): ~C$101,604 (reflects a C$7,000 factory cash discount)
- Comparable U.S. build: Just over $70,000 USD
The styling, speed, and chassis composure are real strengths. But cabin finish, occasional tech bugginess, and the polarizing sound experience make the premium price harder to justify—especially given the Charger’s heritage as a value-per-horsepower icon.
The Charger Question: Identity in the EV Era
Electrification gives the Charger startling speed and newfound composure. What it hasn’t fully solved is identity. Loyalists who associate the badge with lumpy idle, supercharger whine, and mechanical theatrics may not find enough authenticity in the EV’s synthesized soundtrack and digital drama. Even the reviewer—impressed by grip and braking—found the thrills less durable than the old V8s.
That tension fuels a broader strategic suggestion: position the EV as a distinct, efficiency-leaning variant rather than the line’s flagship performance statement. Let it own range, daily refinement, and modern tech, and price it accordingly. Meanwhile, the return of an ICE option—the recently unveiled SIXPACK twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six—could give Dodge a more characterful, less expensive path to satisfy muscle traditionalists while the EV matures.
What Shoppers Want to Know (User-Intent Answers)
What happened?
A weeklong evaluation of the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack EV found blistering acceleration, unexpectedly capable handling, and quick DC charging—but also an early 12-volt failure that immobilized the car, interior/tech shortcomings, and a driving experience that some may find lacks the old Charger’s visceral charm.
Why does it matter?
The Charger is a bellwether for muscle-car electrification. If Dodge can deliver EV speed with authentic character and bulletproof quality at a justifiable price, it can bring loyalists along. If not, it risks alienating its core.
Who is it for?
Buyers who want muscle-car looks with EV thrust and composure—and who prioritize straight-line speed, daily usability, and modern packaging over mechanical theater. Those craving auditory drama and raw personality may prefer to wait for the SIXPACK inline-six or shop rival performance coupes/sedans.
What are the standout pros and cons?
- Pros: Show-stopping design; devastating launches; composed chassis and braking; quick DC charging; roomy, driver-focused cabin.
- Cons: Premium pricing vs. perceived quality; software/12-volt gremlins in test car; polarizing synthetic exhaust; infotainment complexity; some fit/finish and NVH issues.
What’s next?
Dodge is expanding the lineup with the twin-turbo SIXPACK ICE variant, which could better match the Charger’s chassis with a more characterful soundtrack and lower price. For the EV, over-the-air improvements, refinement of low-voltage systems, and clearer positioning could make the Daytona Scat Pack a stronger proposition.
Bottom Line
The Charger Daytona Scat Pack EV proves Dodge can translate muscle-car swagger into EV speed and surprising agility. To fully earn its badge—and its price—it needs more polish, more reliability, and a more distinctive personality. If Dodge addresses those gaps while broadening the lineup, the electric Charger can be more than a fast statement piece; it can be a convincing evolution of an icon.
