If you told me even a year ago that I’d be driving an all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona, I probably would’ve laughed. As a lifelong Mopar guy, I’ve owned three LX-platform cars—including a recently acquired 2023 Chrysler 300C—and never once thought I’d be tempted to make the jump to an EV. But here I am, behind the wheel of a brand-new 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack Stage 2, and to be honest, I didn’t expect to feel this way about it.
Let’s back up for a minute.
The Charger Daytona has been, without a doubt, Dodge’s most controversial car in the past two decades. It marked not just a new chapter, but an entirely new book for the brand—Dodge’s first-ever fully electric vehicle. Its rocky launch in December 2024 didn’t help things. The rollout felt rushed, plagued by software issues and battery problems that left early owners frustrated. It wasn’t just a hiccup—it was a major roadblock. Sales reflected that too, with the Charger Daytona landing among the top-four slowest-selling vehicles in the U.S. this month.
But even with all of that, I still liked the idea of the car. From the moment I saw the Charger Daytona SRT Banshee Concept at Dodge Speed Week back in August 2022, I thought it looked incredible. Yes, I was bitter about Dodge ending the HEMI® V8 era—who wasn’t? But that design? It turned heads. Still, good looks weren’t enough for me to make the leap. That’s why I ordered my 300C at the launch at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) that very next month and stayed on the V8 train.
Fast forward to Roadkill Nights last year, where I was once again up close and personal with the production-spec 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona. And again, I liked what I saw. The Dodge design team did a great job keeping most of the concept car’s style intact. But when the price came out—nearly $86,000 for a loaded Scat Pack—I was out. No thanks.
Then in December, I had the opportunity to spend some time behind the wheel of a fast-feedback car in Detroit. This wasn’t part of some orchestrated press junket in Arizona—it was a no-nonsense test of how the car performed in real-world conditions. While it wasn’t perfect and still had its share of early issues, I approached the drive not just as a journalist, but as a former L-Series owner excited to see the first all-new Charger in 20 years. And I’ll be honest—I came away genuinely impressed. The interior felt clean and spacious, the styling still turned heads, and the handling was surprisingly sharp. Compared to my 300C, the Charger felt more planted, quicker to respond, and more dialed in.
So why didn’t I bite then? Simple—the price and the problems. Software glitches, dead 12-volt batteries, and even cars bricking themselves didn’t give me much confidence. I figured I’d wait for the new SIXPACK models to launch with the twin-turbo 3.0-liter HURRICANE I6 engines and make a decision then.
But something changed over the past couple of months.
After a series of software updates, the Charger Daytona and the Jeep® Wagoneer S started to show real signs of improvement. I started hearing from owners and technicians who told me the car was finally starting to live up to expectations. Combine that with Dodge throwing major incentives on these cars to move them off lots, and suddenly the math started to make sense.
That’s when I got in touch with the folks over at Moran Blue Water Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram in Fort Gratiot, Michigan. They had the spec I wanted—Stage 2 Scat Pack, 20-inch x 10-inch wheels, Track Package—but not the color I liked. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a fan of black cars. They look great clean, but I don’t have the patience for the constant upkeep. Still, when the numbers lined up, it was too good to walk away from.
So I leased the car.
Here’s the thing: for what I paid, this was a deal that beat out even the upcoming SIXPACK H/O cars on value and performance. If Dodge hadn’t slapped some heavy incentives on the car, I honestly wouldn’t have considered it. Period. But they did—and here we are.
Now I’m a guy who loves the roar of a V8, thrust into a world of silent acceleration, charging curves, and learning how to live life as an EV driver. It’s a huge change, but I’m embracing it. And over the next few months, I’ll be documenting the experience—the wins, the fails, the learning curve, and everything in between.
So if you’re curious how a hardcore Mopar petrolhead adapts to Dodge’s electric future, stay tuned. This is just the beginning. And if you want more behind-the-scenes content, check out my personal YouTube channel, The Mopar Junkie.
Let’s see where this road leads.
