Published: August 7th, 2024
When news broke that Dodge would be electrifying the Charger as part of its redesign, the assumption was that the resulting product would cost more than the outgoing model. This is especially true considering the now-discontinued LX/LD platform was comparatively affordable due to having been around so long. However, leaked documents are suggesting that the new Charger will cost substantially more money than the old one.
UPDATE: Stellantis reached out post publication to clarify pricing. Please see below.
Based on leaked screenshots of dealer allocation forms shared by Butter da Insider, and subsequent reporting from Mopar Insiders, the resulting vehicle could cost upwards of $10,000 more than what you would have paid for an equivalent V8-powered Charger last year.
However, the above depends on a few factors. How you configure the car will obviously be extremely relevant and we only have a few examples from the leak, all of which pertain to the electric launch versions of the new model. Launch editions will come with more standard features because the company knows a subset of over-eager buyers will buy them, padding the price somewhat. Subsequent EVs and combustion models featuring the "Six Pack" Hurricane I6 that is designed to supplant the outgoing HEMI V8s will likely feature lower price tags on average.
The leaked documents are also subject to change, as stated on the relevant forms, and may not even be legitimate. But they do track with some credible rumors we’ve heard and certainly look legitimate.
Based on information shared by Mopar Insiders, the first launch edition Charger of note is the Daytona R/T Configuration 1. The model comes with an upgraded interior, premium lighting, full glass roof, a premium Alpine sound system, “Blacktop Appearance Package” (black wheels and badges), and a “Direct Connection eStage 1 Upgrade” that’s supposed to add 40 horsepower — bumping the grand total up to 496 hp.
Its MSRP is listed as $68,570.
The next vehicle is the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack Configuration 1. Here, customers get everything offered from the R/T with the Blacktop Appearance Pack being swapped for the “Carbon & Suede Package” featuring aluminum wheels, a suede headliner, and loads of carbon fiber touches. It likewise comes with the “Track Pack” that includes red Brembo 6-piston fixed front rotors, 305/35R20 A/S tires in the front and 325/35R20 A/S tires in the rear, leather/suede performance seats, and a drive recorder with a forward camera with USB data ports. The last item is the Direct Connection eStage 2 Upgrade that adds 80 hp — bringing the grand total of the Scat Pack to a stated 670 horsepower.
Its MSRP is listed as $82,170.
While both do indeed offer more peak power than their defunct V8 counterparts, the price points are significantly higher. One assumes that the I6-powered Chargers will be a little closer in the mark, assuming V8-obsessed MOPAR fans are comfortable making the switch.
From Mopar Insiders:
For reference, the 2023 Dodge Charger R/T with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 had a starting MSRP of $45,065, while the 2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack with the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 had a starting MSRP of $51,925. These prices do not include the additional $1,595 destination fee.
For many fans, this price range is concerning. Electric vehicles (EVs) have been depreciating faster than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. This rapid loss in value is a significant deterrent for buyers wary of making a substantial financial commitment only to see their investment diminish quickly.
The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona faces more than just pricing challenges as it shifts toward electric power. Recent surveys reveal widespread concerns regarding range anxiety, charging infrastructure, and accessibility. Many potential buyers fear getting stranded mid-trip due to insufficient power, especially during long-distance travel. This “range anxiety” underscores the importance of the Charger Daytona’s ability to handle extended journeys effortlessly.
To be fair, Dodge has found itself in a precarious situation. Government regulations have made building small passenger cars extremely difficult insofar as keeping them profitable. Margins are higher on larger vehicles and the EPA has created loopholes that don’t require large SUVs and trucks to be nearly as efficient as sedans, hatchbacks, or coupes. This is why you don’t see the latter on U.S. roads like you used while the former body styles continue increasing in both volume and size.
Electrification has long been seen as a way to circumvent some of the stringent emissions regulations being advanced by Western governments with the added benefit of allowing manufacturers to scale back the number of employees needed on assembly lines. However, EVs remain expensive against their combustion counterparts and vehicle pricing has continued to climb in general. People also don’t seem to be gravitating toward them like they used to, with many manufacturers now revisiting hybridization or downsizing engine offerings.
In small stints, this isn’t a big deal. However, the automobile is one of the few technologies that hasn’t become more affordable over time. Every other mechanical or technological advancement that became mainstream and mass produced during the twentieth century has declined in price (e.g. home appliances, phones, computers, cameras, etc.) after you factor in inflation.
Automobiles have not, and this is extremely bad news for a brand — like Dodge — that consumers associate with delivering high performance at a reasonable price.
It also doesn’t seem tenable in the long run. While manufacturers can certainly earn more by raising the MSRP of models, we’re already in a situation where average Americans are being priced out of the new-car market. This business model cannot possibly work forever. Considering most of these companies are large, multinational manufacturing conglomerates, they are heavily reliant on high production volumes. If something doesn’t change soon, the industry is likely to confront a situation where mainstream brands will either need to continue consolidating (creating more monopolies) or simply evaporate as they cannot sell enough product to remain viable.
As for the Charger, we don’t know how good or bad of a car it will be until it has been driven. Combustion variants may also fill in the pricing gaps in a manner that’s more acceptable to consumers that frequent the Dodge brand. But the MSRPs we’re seeing on these first editions (provided they are legitimate) do feel totally out of whack with today’s market.
[Update 8/7/2024: Dodge confirmed the 2024 Charger Daytona’s pricing shortly after the leak went public. The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T was given an MSRP of $59,595 (which excludes the $1,995 destination fee) and comes with Direct Connection Stage 1 Upgrade that results in an output of 496 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque.
An MSRP of $73,190 (plus the $1,995 destination fee) was given for the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack two-door. The manufacturer claimed that it would run 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and clip through the quarter-mile in an estimated 11.5 seconds.
While that sounds like the vehicles will actually be priced lower than claimed, the automaker noted that both vehicles qualify for full $7,500 federal tax credit. It seems like that has been taken into account in the above pricing, meaning that the final MSRP is extremely close to the leaked values. The manufacturer also listed other pricing breakdowns interested parties will assuredly want to examine.]
UPDATE: Stellantis reached out post publication to clarify that "the $7,500 can be taken OFF the pricing that was shared when leasing."
[Images: Stellantis]
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