5 Things I Love About the New Dodge Charger Daytona

The all-new, all-electric 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona is arguably the most controversial car from the brand since the launch of the 2006 model, when the world discovered it would be a four-door sedan. After watching numerous reviews from various automotive websites, it’s clear that Dodge has its work cut out for itself. Muscle car enthusiasts hate that it’s an electric vehicle (EV), while EV enthusiasts hate that it’s trying to be a muscle car.

It’s no secret that Dodge’s die-hard fans are upset that it doesn’t have a HEMI® V8 under the hood. Converting a petrolhead into an eco-conscious driver isn’t going to happen for 99.9% of us. However, the new Dodge Charger Daytona seems to offend both camps. And I think Dodge should roll with it, with a middle finger in the air, as there is quite a lot to be positive about the car.

One thing I noticed while watching the reviews was that, although most journalists had issues with the car, those who actually own one of the last-generation L-series vehicles (Charger, Challenger, Magnum, and 300) spoke quite highly of it. While most journalists compared it to other EVs, L-series owners compared it to their vehicles—myself included.

While the Charger Daytona is far from perfect and hasn’t changed my overall opinion about EVs, it represents a significant leap forward compared to the outgoing cars. As a former Charger and 300 owner, I wanted to share five things I absolutely loved about the Charger Daytona after driving it last week.

1.) Exterior Styling – 

Since 2006, Mopar fans have wanted a two-door Charger, and Dodge has finally delivered with the all-new Charger Daytona. While it bids farewell to the retro styling of the Challenger, the Daytona embraces a bold, modern design that still nods to its past. A standout feature is the R-Wing, supposedly inspired by the original Daytona, it enhances aerodynamics and provides a unique, futuristic sight from the driver’s seat.

The Charger Daytona also impresses with its lighting design, including signature white LED front lighting and red racetrack rear taillamps. The illuminated Fratzog logo and laser-etched Dodge logos in the headlamps add extra flair, while giving a fun nod to Dodge’s heritage. The widebody stance and sculpted bodywork offer a more cohesive and aggressive design than the outgoing Charger Widebody’s just larger fender flares.

The rear hatch is another clever update, making cargo loading easier while preserving the classic coupe silhouette when closed. Overall, the Charger Daytona’s bold look and distinctiveness really turn heads on the road. I had plenty of people recording me and giving thumbs-ups while driving it last week, and that was even with it being an EV.

2.) Drivability – 

Behind the wheel of the new Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, I could immediately feel how much the car has evolved. The chassis is stiffer, making the handling feel far more refined compared to the previous model. It handles bumps, potholes, and rough roads with surprising ease, and there are no rattles or creaks—just a solid, composed ride.

On twisty roads, the Charger Daytona Scat Pack really shines. Despite weighing over 5,800 pounds, it feels nimble with tight, responsive steering. It sticks to the road without hesitation, delivering instant feedback that makes it feel much lighter than it actually is.

The new Charger is much more controlled and engaging than the previous generation. While it’s still a big car, the handling is far more composed, offering more feedback through the wheel. It’s not a sports car, but it responds precisely to your commands—exactly what you’d want from a modern muscle car.

3.) Interior Styling – 

The 2024 Dodge Charger’s interior is a huge upgrade, leaving behind the outdated cockpit design for a more open, inviting cabin. The two-tier dashboard is a major improvement, offering better visibility and a more spacious feel, especially with larger side windows and a redesigned layout. The curved hood improves forward visibility, and at 6’1″, I found the headroom to be more than adequate, even with a low seat position.

The Carbon Fiber and Suede package adds a touch of luxury, with carbon fiber accents on the door panels and dash, complemented by ambient lighting that adjusts with vehicle events like opening a door. The performance-focused steering wheel features a flat-top/flat-bottom design that took some getting used to, but the paddle shifters and quick-access controls for regenerative braking and drive modes make it much more functional than the outgoing design. Technology like the heads-up display (HUD), wide-format cluster screens, and a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 center display, along with useful features like charging location info for electric models, are a welcome upgrade over the older models.

The interior feels spacious, especially with the broad instrument panel and massive 16-inch curved cluster, which seamlessly integrates into the design rather than looking like a square tablet. While there are a few downsides, such as the cheap-feeling haptic buttons, the lack of refinement in the turn signal stalk, and the non-opening glass roof, these minor flaws are easy to overlook. Overall, the new interior is incredibly comfortable and welcoming, making it easy to forgive these imperfections.

4.) High-Backed Fixed Headrest Seats – 

The high-backed fixed headrest seats in the Scat Pack (available with the Plus, Track, and Carbon & Suede packages) are a real game-changer. Initially, I wasn’t sure how comfortable they’d be compared to the more traditional seats in the R/T models, but after adjusting them, I was pleasantly surprised. They provided excellent support during my long drive, and felt far more comfortable than I had expected.

These new high-bucket seats are also a major improvement over the outgoing HELLCAT seats from 2023, which often felt under-padded. With more cushioning, these seats are much better for longer trips. Overall, the comfort and support they provide really impressed me and made them a standout feature of the Scat Pack.

There’s even a cool leather belt with a snap on the side to keep the seatbelt in place after loading passengers in the rear. It’s a unique design detail that adds an extra touch of practicality and style.

5.) The Hatchback Design – 

The rear hatch design is one of the most practical updates to the Charger Daytona, offering much easier access to the cargo area than the outgoing model’s trunk. Despite its practicality, the design team cleverly ensured that when the rear is closed, the car still maintains the traditional Charger silhouette, so it doesn’t look like a hatchback. Additionally, this design increases headroom for rear passengers, providing more comfort compared to the outgoing Challenger.

The Charger Daytona also offers best-in-class cargo and rear storage capacity because of the new hatchback design. With the rear seats folding flat, you get a maximum cargo area of 38.5 cubic feet, which is 133% more than the 2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack.

Bonus – 

6.) New Pistol-Grip Shifter Design – 

The modern pistol-grip shifter, while electronic, has a design that mimics the feel of a traditional mechanical shifter. Its unconventional shape is surprisingly ergonomic, fitting comfortably in hand. It also provides a nice place to rest your hand while driving, making it feel natural and intuitive. Overall, the shifter has a unique and functional touch that enhances the driving experience for those who love to rest their restless hand somewhere.

Even if you’re not a fan of EVs, I highly recommend getting out to see these cars in person once they hit dealerships. Place your hands on them and experience firsthand how much they’ve evolved compared to the cars we’ve had for nearly two decades. I believe L-series owners will be pleasantly surprised by the difference.