My 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV: A Case of Unfulfilled Promise and Extended Anticipation
As a seasoned automotive industry professional with a decade immersed in the evolving landscape of vehicle technology, I approached the acquisition of my 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV with a unique blend of excitement and analytical scrutiny. The promise of an electric muscle car, a genre-bending fusion of classic American performance with sustainable power, held an undeniable allure. However, my personal journey with this highly anticipated vehicle has been less a triumphant roar and more a prolonged silence, marked by an almost unprecedented period of unavailability.
My story with the 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV began in late September of last year, a time when the allure of innovative electric powertrains was meeting the iconic design language of a storied American brand. The intention was straightforward: lease a vehicle that represented a significant shift in the automotive industry, one that aimed to bridge the gap between traditional performance enthusiasts and the burgeoning electric vehicle movement. The agreement was inked with the expectation of immediate delivery, a mere week to transition from signing to driving. Yet, here I am, months later, without my Charger, navigating the automotive world from the passenger seat of a decidedly less exhilarating loaner vehicle.
The fundamental question, I understand, is why would an individual deeply entrenched in EV reviews and already owning a capable electric vehicle like a Tesla Model 3, choose to invest in an electric offering from Dodge, a manufacturer historically synonymous with internal combustion performance? The answer, at least initially, was twofold: the sheer audacity of the design and a lease offer so compelling it defied conventional market logic.
My connection to this specific vehicle, and indeed to Stellantis’s broader electrification efforts, predates my personal purchase. During my undergraduate years at Clemson University, I was part of a team participating in the Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Challenge. This initiative involved designing and fabricating high-voltage battery packs for integration into electric vehicles, specifically a Ram Promaster EV in our case. A significant component of this project was a visit to the Chrysler Technology Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Immersed in the heart of Stellantis’s engineering and design operations, I had the privilege of witnessing the Dodge Charger Daytona EV concept before its public unveiling. While the technical intricacies of its packaging, weight distribution, or software architecture were not yet fully revealed, the visual impact was undeniable. It presented a stark departure from the increasingly homogenized aesthetic of many contemporary EVs.
In an era where electric vehicles often gravitate towards utilitarian, aerodynamically optimized, yet visually subdued forms, the Dodge Charger Daytona EV stands out as a bold statement. Its imposing stature, measuring an impressive 206.6 inches in length and 79.8 inches in width – surpassing even a three-row luxury SUV like the BMW X7 – signals its intent to command presence. The fact that it remains one of the rare two-door EVs on the market further amplifies its unique positioning. This is an electric vehicle sculpted with a deliberate sense of bravado, a design philosophy I find myself fully embracing. However, the aesthetic appeal, however potent, becomes secondary when the physical reality of ownership remains perpetually out of reach.
The secondary, and perhaps equally persuasive, factor in my decision was the unprecedented lease proposition. The specific model I opted for was the 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, boasting an impressive 456 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for this configuration was a substantial $62,685. Conventional leasing wisdom, often guided by the 1% rule, would suggest a monthly payment in the vicinity of $627 before taxes. For my California residence, this would translate to approximately $683 per month, accumulating to a total lease cost of around $16,402 over the term. However, my personal leasing strategy aims for significantly more aggressive terms, prioritizing value and minimizing long-term financial outlay.
The deal I secured was a one-pay lease: a single upfront payment covering the entire lease duration. The terms were as follows: $4,662 down, followed by $0 monthly payments for 24 months, all for a 10,000-mile annual allowance. Crucially, this $4,662 figure encompassed all California sales taxes and, remarkably, included a comprehensive Mopar protection package. This package was designed to cover up to $5,000 in end-of-lease damages, addressing concerns such as minor dents, tire wear, chipped glass, and scuffed wheels. When the cost of this protection package and associated taxes are factored out, the effective lease price reduced to approximately $3,250. This yielded an astonishing effective monthly payment of just $135, placing me in the rarefied air of approximately 0.20% of the MSRP. In essence, I was securing 10,000 miles of annual driving in a high-performance electric vehicle for a monthly cost that barely registers, with the added benefit of minimal end-of-lease financial exposure. This remarkable pricing clearly indicated a strong dealer impetus to move inventory.
The question naturally arises: what drove such an extraordinary lease offer? Several factors contributed. Firstly, Dodge was actively offering significant incentives on the Charger Daytona during that period. My total rebates, including the federal EV tax credit, amounted to an impressive $14,500. The other crucial element was the car’s prior status as an ex-demonstrator vehicle within the Stellantis network. This classification led to an additional $6,685 in dealer discounts, as the vehicle had accrued 1,390 miles on its odometer. This brought the effective purchase price down to a much more palatable $41,500. Factoring in the EV credits, capitalized costs, taxes, and all associated fees, the total financial outlay to Stellantis concluded at $25,847.
However, I was fully aware of a critical caveat at the time of purchase: the vehicle required some repair work before it could be considered fully operational. It was understood that it would need attention, but the extent and duration of this work were, to put it mildly, underestimated.
The narrative of “Dude, Where’s My Car?” began to unfold shortly after the transaction. My initial inquiries about lease deals for this particular segment of the market had been met with generally uninspired offers. The Charger Daytona opportunity, therefore, felt like a genuine stroke of luck, prompting swift action. The paperwork was completed, and the payment was made on Friday, September 26th, with the optimistic assumption that the car would be ready for collection within a week.
Life, however, intervenes with its own schedule. After two demanding weeks of work and a business trip, I received a loaner vehicle on October 9th. The following day, I formally initiated a case with Dodge’s corporate customer care, securing a dedicated case manager to assist with tracking the repair status at the dealership. On October 15th, the dealership’s service advisor provided an encouraging update, suggesting the car would be ready within two days. This optimism was, unfortunately, short-lived. On the designated pickup day, I was informed of a backlog in the service department. A few days later, the news arrived that the high-voltage battery pack required new ground wiring. Then, on Wednesday, October 22nd, a text message arrived: “Andrew, we want to let you know that your car is ready for pickup!” My brief moment of elation was instantly extinguished by the subsequent message: “Sorry, wrong text.”
This experience evoked a familiar sense of deflation, akin to witnessing a high-performance EV faltering at a public charging station, facing an insurmountable queue of less capable vehicles. The following day, a Stellantis engineer personally visited the dealership to conduct diagnostics on my vehicle and another customer’s. I was informed that the dealership would need to perform an isolation test, with an update on necessary part orders and estimated timelines expected the following week. My service advisor then confirmed the test’s completion, indicating a need for a new A/C compressor, with the part anticipated the subsequent week, “if all goes well.”
Given my growing familiarity with Stellantis’s operational rhythms, “all did not go well.” The A/C compressor did not arrive the following week, nor the week after that. This pattern of delayed timelines and unfulfilled promises became a recurring theme. At multiple junctures, the dealership provided estimated completion dates, only to have those dates pass with little to no communication or substantive progress. My attempts to engage with Stellantis corporate proved frustratingly unproductive for an extended period. In one particularly exasperating week, I placed six calls to Stellantis and was unable to connect with anyone capable of providing meaningful assistance.
In an effort to inject some levity and maintain visibility of my predicament amongst my professional network, I began documenting my experience on LinkedIn. Many of my connections were aware of my anticipation for the Charger Daytona, and I felt compelled to keep them informed. A post on November 13th, humorously announcing my new role as “Technical Program Manager of Trying To Get the Car I Paid for Back in September,” finally garnered the attention of Stellantis. This led to a call from a highly supportive executive referrals manager who assured me that the brand would investigate the situation thoroughly. Following this interaction, Dodge extended a compensatory payment of $3,134.25, calculated based on the vehicle’s monthly payment rate over a five-year loan term, a gesture I deeply appreciated.
Following our mid-November discussion, I harbored renewed optimism that the car would soon be ready. My corporate contact indicated that a regional service advisor had recommended a new power inverter module, and that this part would be ordered with expedited shipping. On Friday, December 5th, however, a call from my dealership service advisor delivered another setback: Stellantis engineers now required the car to be disassembled once more.
At this juncture, a certain resignation has set in. Disappointment, it appears, has become an intrinsic part of the Stellantis customer experience. The initial excitement, the meticulous planning of road trips using charging apps like Plugshare, the investment in specialized detailing equipment – all these aspirations are currently suspended, overshadowed by an ongoing operational void. I am now approaching three months of ownership, yet I have yet to experience the tangible act of owning and driving my purchased vehicle.
A representative from Stellantis provided the following statement: “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.”
The story of my 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV remains unfinished. My initial vision was of cruising down the scenic California Route One in a 456-horsepower electric fastback. The reality, however, has been a rotation of rental vehicles, elevated stress levels, and a vehicle identification number (VIN) representing a car that has been in a state of prolonged repair and anticipation for nearly three months.
Should my Charger eventually make its way into my possession, I am committed to providing a comprehensive update. Until then, I remain in a state of automotive limbo, navigating the complexities of a promising vehicle that is yet to deliver on its fundamental purpose.
For those experiencing similar frustrations with new vehicle acquisitions or facing complex repair scenarios, understanding your rights and exploring avenues for escalation with manufacturers and dealerships is paramount. Consider consulting with consumer advocacy groups or seeking legal counsel if your situation warrants it. Taking proactive steps can often lead to swifter resolutions and ensure your automotive investments yield the satisfaction they promise.
