Edmunds Loses $47,000 on 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona After One Year

Buying a new car is almost always a poor financial decision. But losing nearly $50,000 in a single year after just a few thousand miles takes the pain to another level entirely. That’s exactly what happened to Edmunds with its 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack.

Unlike many publications that borrow test cars from automakers, Edmunds purchases its long-term test vehicles with real cash. While Dodge provided a small discount on the as-tested price of $85,965, Edmunds still paid $82,000 to drive home Detroit’s first electric muscle car.

After 12 months, the outlet was stunned to find the Daytona’s value had plummeted to just $35,000—a nearly 60% loss. The EV had covered fewer than 7,000 miles (11,300 km), a distance some drivers cover in six months.

Staff Criticisms: From Glitches to Fake Exhaust

Edmunds’ staff spent a year actively disliking the Charger Daytona. Their long-term test notes read like a warning to potential buyers considering a pony car like the Ford Mustang Dark Horse instead.

• Infotainment glitches and strange drivetrain noises plagued the EV.
• Ergonomics were awkward, and software behaved unpredictably.
• One editor called the fake Fratzonic exhaust sound “an insult to V8s everywhere.”
• Another described the car as simply “boring”—a harsh critique for a car wearing a Charger badge.

The complaints didn’t stop there. Staff also criticized the massive turning circle, inconsistent regenerative braking, and handling that failed to match its straight-line performance.

What Worked: Styling, Space, and Range

Despite the criticisms, the Charger Daytona wasn’t without its merits. Several staffers praised its styling, roomy hatchback practicality, and surprisingly good real-world range.

The 670 hp (679 PS / 500 kW) EV delivered 255 miles (410 km) in real-world use, comfortably exceeding its dismal EPA estimate of 216 miles (348 km).

Edmunds’ Final Verdict: A “Big, Expensive Disappointment”

The Charger was a big, expensive disappointment. We won’t miss having this thing in our fleet.

For Edmunds, the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack was a lesson in the financial and practical pitfalls of electric muscle cars. The EV’s rapid depreciation and staff frustrations made it a vehicle they were eager to part ways with.