2026 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T’s demise: It’s the price

For the 2026 model year, Stellantis NV is discontinuing the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T version. Currently the “entry-level” offering in the Charger Daytona lineup, slow sales have contributed to its untimely demise. It probably also doesn’t help that it’s assembled in Windsor, Ontario, and President Trump’s draconian tariffs are designed to cripple both the Canadian economy and ours. But I digress.

Objectively, the Charger Daytona is a fine car. Sure, some will say that a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y could outperform it at the drag strip, but you’re forgetting that Tesla is persona non grata these days because of all of the Nazi salutes and destroying the government and ruining of peoples’ lives. Something like a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N would probably be a more apt comparison, but the Charger does benefit from having more space and being more comfortable to drive daily.

Also, despite what some initial reviewers have said about the car, the experience isn’t that bad. Uconnect 5 is a solid infotainment system, and while some of the EV functions could be better, it’s no worse than some other EV manufacturers out there. It’ll also charge quickly enough, both an AC at home and at a DCFC.

On the highway, it’s far quieter than you’d expect it to be. Double-paned glass does wonders, and the company didn’t skimp on sound deadening material. The interior, also, is a nice place to sit for long journeys.

The Fratzonic system is a bit ridiculous, but cars like these are supposed to be a bit ridiculous. The biggest problem with the system is it’s not paired with a synthetic geared transmission — like the Ioniq 5 N — so on the highway the system “drones” in a way that should never happen with something that’s artificial. The tuning of the regenerative braking system could be improved a bit, because when you’re on the highway it feels like the car should be in a higher gear than what it is in, but that’s not possible because there’s no geared transmission. Again, this is a place where a fake transmission would greatly improve the experience.

Ultimately, the car is just too expensive to start with. If there were a non-R/T version, like a true base car, it’d probably sell decently. Make it rear-wheel drive with just a single motor, and maybe even offer it in a smaller battery pack. But even just a de-contented base car would sell better. Remember, the V6 Charger of the previous generation was the volume seller, and by a lot.

With as luxurious as it is, it probably would make sense as a Chrysler 300 replacement. But that wouldn’t have shocked the industry like making the Charger Daytona electric did.

Some people will say the key to making the new car successful is just dropping a Hemi V8 into it. And maybe that is the answer. With Ram Trucks pushing back the REV and Ramcharger 1500s, it doesn’t seem like some of the management at Stellantis is all that interested in electrification and the future. While that might work for now, it’s important to remember that Trump isn’t going to be president forever, and the rest of the world is moving ahead at warp speed towards BEVs, and the company runs the risk of being another American manufacturer left behind.