The Dodge Charger RT vs. Charger Daytona comparison is a battle between the outgoing glory of the proper American V-8 and the incoming innovation of all-electric muscle. The end of the HEMI-powered Charger is upon us, but there's no need to be sad. Its replacement, the Charger Daytona SRT EV, joins the world of electric cars and makes it meaner. Thanks to its Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust (the first-ever EV exhaust system) and packages that simulate the fun of old-school muscle car tuning, the Charger Daytona EV is the opportunity to go electric that American performance enthusiasts have been waiting for.
If you've been waiting for a deal on one of the last American muscle cars with a HEMI V-8, you're in luck, too. The final Charger RT models are waiting for you on our lot, as is the opportunity to register your interest in the upcoming Charger Daytona EV. Consult our Dodge Charger RT vs. Charger Daytona comparison guide below to see whether a futuristic EV or a future classic is right for you, then make your move at San Antonio CDJR.
Dodge Charger Daytona vs. RT power specs, using current estimates from the brand, are a win for the EV. That shouldn't be too shocking, though, as it's already been established that electric powertrains can make more power and accelerate faster than their gas alternatives. The rumble of a proper gas-fed V-8 and its roar as you blast through the gears is a major benefit, though.
Offering drivers powerful acceleration and the legendary experience of a HEMI V-8 at a great price, the Dodge Charger RT serves as a great entry point to the V-8 Charger lineup. It boasts a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque under its hood. Rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission form the rest of the Charger RT sedan's powertrain.
The Dodge Charger Daytona vs. Charger RT specs comparison is not a complete reflection of production models as of our writing, since the Charger Daytona EV is still in its pre-production phase. Regardless, the Dodge brand has stated that all Charger Daytona EV models will be AWD, and the base-level 400-volt configuration (Charger Daytona 340) will make 455 horsepower. Two eStage kits will be available for power upgrades, simulating old-school tuning work. Adding the eStage 1 kit brings the base model to 495 horsepower, while the eStage 2 kit takes it to 535 horsepower.
The Dodge Charger RT vs. Charger Daytona comparison is already a win for the upcoming Charger Daytona, and in its enhanced 400-volt Charger Daytona 440 model, it pulls even farther ahead with its 590 horsepower output. The eStage 1 kit will let it make 630 horsepower, while the eStage 2 kit will bring it to 670 horsepower.
Only two of the current Dodge Charger trims can exceed this potential power: the 717-horsepower Charger SRT Hellcat and the 797-horsepower SRT Hellcat Redeye. However, a Dodge Charger Daytona EV model with an 800-volt Banshee propulsion system will join the lineup, and while its horsepower is unconfirmed, doubling the voltage can only result in more power.
| Dodge Charger RT | Dodge Charger Daytona EV | |
| Engine: | 5.7L HEMI V-8 |
- 400V 340 kw Electric Architecture (Base Model) - 400V 440 kw Electric Architecture - 800V Banshee Electric Architecture |
| Horsepower: | 370 |
- 455 to 535 (400V 340 kw Model) - 590 to 670 (400V 440 kw Model) - Unconfirmed (800V Banshee Model) |
| Torque: | 395 lb-ft | To Be Announced |
| Transmission: | 8-Speed Automatic | eRupt Multispeed Transmission w/ Electro-Mechanical Shifting |
| Drivetrain: | RWD | AWD |
| 0-60 mph: | 5 Seconds1 |
- To Be Announced (400V 340 kw & 400V 440 kw Models) - "Faster than a Hellcat in all key performance measures"2 (800V Banshee Model) |
| Availability: | Discontinued - 2023 Was Final Model Year | Upcoming - Anticipated For 2025 Model Year |
Using its powerful V-8 engine, the Dodge Charger RT can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just five seconds.1 We don't have accurate Dodge Charger RT vs. Daytona EV 0-60 stats yet because the Daytona EV model's acceleration has not been measured as of the time of writing. That said, an EV's instant torque almost always achieves faster 0-60 mph times (especially with AWD) than similarly powerful gasoline cars, and the Charger Daytona EV model's higher horsepower already hints at it being faster.
That's especially true of the 800-volt Banshee model – the brand has officially stated that it will be "faster than a Hellcat in all key performance measures."2
While a full look will have to wait until the official debut, we've seen several innovative performance features that will let the Charger Daytona EV simulate the thrills of our gas-powered new Dodge Charger inventory.
For starters, many first-time EV drivers are put off by the lack of gear shifts while getting up to speed. The Dodge Charger RT vs. Charger Daytona shifting feel will be similar, as the Charger Daytona introduces an exclusive eRupt multispeed EV transmission with electric-mechanical shifting. The addition of gears to an EV can enhance performance, range, and driver engagement on the road.
Many drivers favor the gas model in the Dodge Charger RT vs. Charger Daytona comparison because, well, it makes noise. We don't blame them – we can't get that iconic V-8 soundtrack out of our heads, either. However, the Charger Daytona EV solves what many find lacking in electric cars: auditory feedback as you put down power.
This will be done with a Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust that can scream as loud as 126 decibels (same as a Charger Hellcat). When you combine this with the multispeed transmission's feedback, you'll get a driving experience that feels like the future of real cars rather than an isolated vision that doesn't consider the century-long love humans have had for gas-powered cars.
The Charger Daytona EV is scheduled to join the all-new Dodge inventory at San Antonio CDJR later this year. In the meantime, you can still get your hands on the Charger RT, one of the last Charger models with a HEMI V-8. Ask about our lease deals, and visit us to test-drive the final chapter of V-8 muscle.
"Daytona" has meant several things to Charger throughout history. First, it was the name of the winged monster that shook up the 1970 NASCAR season. Next, it was a package that could be applied to modern Dodge Charger models to enhance their power and aerodynamics. Today, the new Dodge Charger Daytona is a soon-to-be-released all-electric muscle car. Stay tuned for the latest Charger Daytona.
The Charger RT is a fast car that makes 370 horsepower, but the upcoming Charger Daytona EV is set to be even faster, since its weakest form should arrive with 455 horsepower. Making an estimated maximum of 670 horsepower and laying it down with instant fury, if the Charger Daytona isn't faster than the Charger RT, we'll be surprised. The Charger Hellcat may still be faster, though.
The 0-60 mph time of the upcoming Dodge Charger Daytona EV has not been measured yet, but the model's power output is an estimated maximum of 670 horsepower. As the 370-horsepower Dodge Charger RT goes from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds,1 we'd be shocked if the higher horsepower and instant torque delivery of the Charger Daytona result in a slower 0-60 mph time.
11/13/2022
Thank you to Julio and the San Antonio Dodge dealership for helping me find my new 2022 Hemi Dodge Charger. The staff was nice and kept me informed. This process was a lot smoother than expected. I definitely recommend this hidden dealership.
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1This information is not verified by the official manufacturer and shall serve solely as unofficial general information. For details, visit: https://www.motortrend.com/cars/dodge/charger/
2For details, visit: https://nocache.media.stellantis.com/em-en/dodge/press/performance-made-us-do-it-dodge-charger-daytona-srt-concept-previews-brand-s-electrified-future
