Dodge Charger EV: A Disastrous Debut – My 79-Day Wait for a Muscle Car Dream
As a seasoned automotive professional with a decade navigating the ever-evolving landscape of vehicle technology, I’ve witnessed firsthand the seismic shifts in consumer preference and manufacturer innovation. When the 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV was unveiled, it sent ripples of excitement through both the electric vehicle community and the traditional muscle car faithful. Its audacious design, promising a modern interpretation of iconic American power, felt like a bold statement in an era where many EVs lean towards generic, aerodynamic efficiency. Intrigued by the prospect of blending raw power with electric propulsion, and enticed by a truly remarkable leasing opportunity, I embarked on what I anticipated would be an exhilarating ownership journey. Little did I know, this journey would begin not with the roar of an electric motor, but with the frustrating silence of protracted repairs and unmet expectations.
My acquisition of a 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV on September 26th was driven by a potent cocktail of aspiration and opportunity. The vision was clear: to experience the thrill of an electric muscle car, to push the boundaries of what an EV could be, and to capitalize on a lease deal so compelling it felt almost too good to be true. The understanding was that delivery would be swift, a mere week from signing the paperwork. This timeline was crucial, as the agreement was structured to leverage the significant $7,500 federal EV leasing credit, a critical component of the financial calculus that made the proposition so attractive. Yet, as weeks turned into months, the anticipation morphed into a gnawing sense of disbelief. Despite numerous calls and persistent follow-ups, my Dodge Charger Daytona EV remained elusive. Instead of the powerful machine I envisioned, I found myself behind the wheel of a succession of loaner vehicles, the latest being a starkly utilitarian Jeep Compass – a far cry from the tire-shredding performance promised by the Charger’s lineage. This experience has redefined my understanding of a “new car,” transforming it into a symbol of prolonged frustration rather than automotive satisfaction.
The question that likely lingers in many minds, particularly among fellow EV enthusiasts and automotive critics, is a simple yet profound one: why would an experienced EV reviewer, someone who has spent years immersed in the world of electric vehicles, choose to invest in a Dodge, a brand historically defined by its internal combustion prowess rather than its pioneering spirit in electrification? The answer, as it often is in life and in the automotive market, is twofold: unadulterated allure and an undeniably irresistible price point. The Dodge Charger Daytona EV, from a design perspective, stands as a beacon of individuality in a sea of increasingly homogenous electric vehicles. In a market saturated with egg-shaped crossovers and aerodynamic blobs, the Charger’s imposing presence is a breath of fresh air, a defiant declaration that electric vehicles can still possess gravitas and visual impact.
My personal connection to this vehicle predates its public debut. During my time as a student at Clemson University, I was part of a team participating in the Battery Workforce Challenge, a prestigious Department of Energy-backed initiative. This project involved designing and fabricating high-voltage battery packs for integration into electric vehicles, specifically within the Ram Promaster EV platform. As part of this immersive experience, I had the privilege of visiting the Chrysler Technology Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Walking through their state-of-the-art facilities, from the design studios to engineering labs, and engaging with brilliant minds across various disciplines, was an invaluable educational and inspirational period. It was during this visit, approximately a year before its official unveiling, that I first encountered the Dodge Charger Daytona EV in a pre-production guise. While my focus during the project was on the technical intricacies of battery systems, the sheer aesthetic impact of the Charger’s design was undeniable. It exuded a confidence and a boldness that resonated deeply.
This is not to say I was impressed by its technical specifications at that nascent stage, or its weight, or its software architecture. My admiration was purely for its form. In an automotive landscape increasingly dominated by vehicles that prioritize aerodynamic efficiency above all else, leading to a visual sameness, the Dodge Charger Daytona EV offers a compelling counterpoint. It is a car sculpted not just by wind tunnels, but by a sense of dramatic presence. Its sheer scale is remarkable; measuring over 206 inches in length and nearly 80 inches in width, it dwarfs even substantial luxury SUVs like the BMW X7. This imposing stature, combined with its two-door configuration – a rarity in the EV market – creates a vehicle that is undeniably distinctive. It’s a car that commands attention, a machine built with bravado, and for someone who appreciates automotive personality, it’s an easy proposition to embrace. However, as my current predicament starkly illustrates, even the most captivating design loses its luster when the vehicle itself remains inaccessible.
The second, and perhaps more pragmatic, reason behind my decision was the extraordinary lease deal that presented itself. The specific model I opted for was the 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, boasting a respectable 456 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque. On paper, its Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) stood at $62,685, placing it squarely in the premium vehicle segment. Traditionally, a “good” lease deal often hovers around the 1% rule, meaning a monthly payment roughly equivalent to 1% of the MSRP. For this Charger, that would translate to approximately $627 per month, before taxes. In my home state of California, with its considerable sales tax, this figure would likely escalate to around $683 monthly, accumulating to a substantial $16,402 over a typical lease term.
However, I’ve always viewed such rules of thumb with a healthy dose of skepticism, aiming for far more aggressive savings. The lease agreement I secured was a game-changer: a single, upfront payment of $4,662, covering the entire 24-month term, with a mileage allowance of 10,000 miles per year. This was not a low-mileage lease; it was a standard usage agreement. Furthermore, this upfront cost was all-inclusive, encompassing California’s significant taxes and even accounting for potential end-of-lease wear and tear. The lease included a $1,295 Mopar protection package, designed to cover up to $5,000 in damages such as minor dents, tire wear, chipped glass, or scuffed wheels. When stripping away the wear-and-tear coverage and associated taxes from the initial payment, the effective lease cost dwindled to a mere $3,250. This brought my monthly financial commitment down to an astonishing $135. By any conventional metric, this placed my lease deal in the astonishingly low 0.20% territory, a testament to the dealership’s strong desire to move this specific unit. Essentially, I was paying less than a typical car payment for a brand-new, high-performance electric muscle car, with the flexibility of 10,000 miles annually and a worry-free return policy. It was clear the dealership was highly motivated to offload this particular vehicle.
The question then becomes: what could possibly account for such an exceptionally low lease price? The answer lies in a confluence of significant manufacturer incentives and the car’s status as a demonstrator model. Back in September, Dodge was rolling out attractive incentives on the Charger Daytona, which included a substantial $14,500 in total rebates, factoring in the federal EV tax credit. The other significant factor was the car’s prior designation as an ex-demonstrator vehicle within the Stellantis network. This resulted in an additional dealer discount of $6,685, primarily due to the odometer already showing 1,390 miles. These combined factors dramatically reduced the effective price of my Daytona to a much more palatable $41,500. Factoring in the EV credit, capitalized costs, taxes, and all associated fees, the total outlay to Stellantis amounted to $25,847.
However, there was a crucial caveat that I was fully aware of at the time of signing: the vehicle required some necessary repairs before it could be officially handed over. I purchased the car with the understanding that it would not be immediately driveable. While I anticipated a minor inconvenience, no one – least of all myself – could have predicted the protracted ordeal that would ensue. The expectation was a quick fix, not a months-long saga of technical troubleshooting.
The phrase “Dude, Where’s My Car?” has never felt more apt. My pursuit of potential lease deals began casually around April, with dealerships consistently presenting options that ranged from uninspired to downright unappealing. When the opportunity for this Dodge Charger Daytona EV surfaced, with its aggressive pricing and compelling lease terms, I acted decisively. I finalized the paperwork and made the payment on Friday, September 26th, with the strong assumption that the car would be in my possession within the following week.
Life, as it often does, had other plans. Following a demanding two weeks of work and a subsequent flight to South Carolina, I finally received my initial loaner vehicle on October 9th. By October 15th, having received no definitive update on my Charger, I initiated a formal case with Dodge’s corporate customer care team. A case manager was assigned to ostensibly “assist” with tracking the repair status at the dealership. The following day, the dealership’s service advisor provided an optimistic forecast: the car would be ready in two days.
Alas, that hopeful projection proved premature. On the anticipated pickup day, I was informed that the service department was experiencing an unexpected backlog. Monday brought news that the high-voltage battery pack necessitated new ground wiring. Then, on Wednesday, October 22nd, a text message arrived, causing a fleeting surge of excitement: “Andrew, we want to let you know that your car is ready for pickup!” My elation, however, was short-lived. It was immediately followed by a correction: “Sorry, wrong text.” The emotional whiplash was palpable, akin to the sinking feeling of a Porsche Taycan owner encountering a lengthy queue of Chevrolet Bolts at a prime Electrify America charging station.
The next day offered a glimmer of genuine progress. A Stellantis engineer visited the dealership in person to conduct diagnostic tests on my vehicle and another customer’s. I was advised that an isolation test was required, after which I would receive an update the following week detailing the necessary parts and projected timelines. My service advisor later confirmed the test’s completion and identified a faulty A/C compressor as the culprit. The part, he assured me, would arrive the following week, “if all goes well.”
Given my developing understanding of Stellantis’ operational realities, “if all goes well” proved to be an overly optimistic assessment. The A/C compressor did not arrive the following week, nor the week after that. This agonizing cycle of delayed gratification continued. On multiple occasions, the dealership provided firm readiness dates, only to surpass them with minimal or no communication regarding further setbacks. My engagement with Stellantis corporate, while consistent, yielded little in the way of tangible progress for an extended period. In one particularly frustrating week, I placed six calls to Stellantis and was unable to connect with anyone capable of providing meaningful assistance or a clear resolution.
In an attempt to inject some much-needed levity into the absurdity of my situation and to keep my network informed, I began sharing my experiences on LinkedIn. Many friends were aware of my impending Charger ownership, and my posts became a running commentary on the unfolding saga. A November 13th post, humorously announcing my new role as “Technical Program Manager of Trying To Get the Car I Paid for Back in September” at Stellantis, finally garnered significant attention. This prompted a call from a remarkably understanding executive referrals manager, who assured me that the brand would thoroughly investigate my case. Following this outreach, Dodge extended a gesture of goodwill: a compensatory payment of $3,134.25, calculated based on the monthly payment rate over a five-year loan term, acknowledging the considerable delay. I was genuinely appreciative of this acknowledgment.
After our conversation in mid-November, I harbored renewed optimism that my vehicle would soon be operational. My corporate contact informed me that the regional service advisor had recommended replacing the power inverter module, and that the part would be ordered and expedited. This sounded promising.
However, on Friday, December 5th, my dealership service advisor delivered another setback. He conveyed that Stellantis engineers now required the vehicle to be disassembled once more for further inspection. The enthusiasm I once felt began to wane, replaced by a growing resignation. At this juncture, it became clear that disappointment had become an intrinsic part of the Stellantis ownership experience. From the moment I walked into the dealership, brimming with excitement about the prospect of owning a Charger, I had meticulously planned road trips using Plugshare and meticulously curated my detailing supplies in anticipation of its arrival.
Yet, with each passing week, a new delay or an unforeseen constraint was presented. I am now approaching three months of ownership, yet I have not had the opportunity to truly own or drive the car. It remains in a perpetual state of pre-delivery purgatory.
A Stellantis representative offered the following statement to InsideEVs: “Stellantis’ customer care team has been in contact with the dealership for a resolution on this vehicle. To ensure a great experience for customers, Stellantis dealers are provided with tools and best practices for customer communications, including procedures to escalate support in vehicle repair and part availability.” While these words suggest a commitment to customer satisfaction, my lived experience paints a starkly different picture.
The unresolved conclusion to my Dodge Charger Daytona EV saga remains an open wound. When I signed the lease, my mind was filled with vivid imagery: cruising down the scenic California Route One in a 456-horsepower fastback, the hum of electric power a modern counterpoint to the iconic American landscape. Instead, I’ve been confined to the mundane reality of a generic Jeep rental, my heart rate elevated by a series of frustrating administrative hurdles, and I hold a piece of paper bearing a Vehicle Identification Number for a car that has been out of commission for an astonishing 79 days.
Should this vehicle ever finally grace my driveway, I will, of course, provide a comprehensive update on its performance and my experience. But for the time being, I am ensconced in a peculiar automotive limbo, a testament to the challenges that can arise even when pursuing the most exciting of automotive prospects.
If you’re considering a new electric vehicle purchase or lease and seeking expert advice on navigating the complexities of the market, from understanding the latest model releases to discerning the best financing options, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can help you chart a course towards a truly satisfying ownership experience.
