By Kamil Kaluski
It is best to start by clearing up the distinction: this is not a Daytona. The Charger Daytona is the electric model. What we have here is the gas-powered Dodge Charger R/T Plus, housing the standard-output 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six.
Above this sits the Scat Pack with its high-output 550-horsepower setup. The R/T makes 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque, pushing 22 pounds of boost. Dodge claims 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and a 12.9-second quarter-mile. For an entry-level powertrain in a full-size vehicle, it hauls.
The background on the vehicle’s development is obvious: Dodge engineered an EV platform, realized market demand shifted, and adapted the architecture to accommodate a twin-turbo gasoline engine. The result is a massive vehicle, 80 inches wide and nearly as long as a full-size pickup. Despite the footprint, it drives remarkably well, and there is surprisingly little to complain about.
Power goes to an all-wheel-drive system. Dodge claims the front axle disconnects, but on the R/T, you cannot select rear-wheel drive manually; the car manages the distribution automatically based on drive modes.
The active exhaust features two volume levels. It barks at cold start and sounds strong under load, but there is no manual quiet mode. If you are trying to slide out of a driveway unnoticed early in the morning, the cold start will alert the entire neighborhood. Plan accordingly.
Does it need a V8?
No, but also yes. Fundamentally, a so-call muscle car should have a V8. But the inline-six provides more than enough power. This thing feels fast and the power delivery is almost instant. Whether someone at Dodge can package a 6.4-liter engine into this bay remains to be seen.
Dodge went with a liftback design for this vehicle. Because the platform was designed around EV battery packs, the trunk floor sits high. While the interior space expands with the rear seats folded down, the shallow floor limits vertical cargo height.
Inside, driver visibility to both displays over the squared-off steering wheel is clear. The cabin retains physical knobs for volume and tuning, alongside hard climate controls. The fixed panoramic glass roof lacks a mechanical shade, but heat rejection is adequate. The infotainment system is responsive, though the unit in this test vehicle froze twice over four days. The frameless doors are very cool though the rear side windows do not roll all the way down into the doors.
Ultimately, the Charger R/T Plus is a pleasant surprise. It preserves the classic American muscle car presence, delivers serious straight-line speed, great ride and handling, and provides a distinct drive in a market that has largely abandoned big cars.
Jeff Glucker