Testing a high-performance vehicle like the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona lineup is usually best done in ideal conditions, like sunny Arizona. Clear roads and warm temperatures allow you to confidently explore the limits of a vehicle, especially the first-ever Dodge EV. However, for many drivers, particularly those in regions like Michigan, winter presents a different kind of testing ground. When my Charger Daytona Rt Charger arrived in early February, it was greeted not by sunshine, but by a series of relentless winter storms, offering the perfect chance to assess its capabilities in truly challenging conditions.
Initially, the icy roads might have seemed like a setback for a test drive. Yet, with the all-wheel-drive system of the Charger Daytona RT Charger, it became an ideal opportunity to evaluate how well Dodge’s new EV handles the harshest winter elements.
AWD Confidence on Ice and Snow with the RT Charger
Just days before the 2024 Charger Daytona RT Charger Plus in Triple Nickel was delivered, Michigan experienced a dramatic weather shift. Temperatures plummeted from the low 40s after eight hours of heavy rain and flooding, leading to a severe freeze. By the time the Charger arrived, my driveway and surrounding property had transformed into a slick ice rink – conditions where even walking was precarious.
In such conditions, a rear-wheel-drive Charger would have struggled significantly. However, the AWD Daytona RT Charger managed effortlessly. Backing into my garage, a maneuver that usually requires engaging 4WD in my Ram 1500 under similar circumstances, was surprisingly smooth and easy. This initial experience was just a prelude to more demanding tests.
Tackling the Icy Incline with the Daytona RT Charger
The next challenge was an icy incline on my property, a spot notorious for runoff freezing into a thick, slippery sheet of ice every winter. Typically, navigating this hill requires my Ram 1500’s 4WD Low setting. This time, I approached it in the Charger Daytona RT Charger, using the standard Auto mode, without engaging Snow Mode. With all four wheels starting from a standstill on the ice, I gently pressed the accelerator. The car initially slid back slightly, then the AWD system engaged, providing traction to climb the hill without any noticeable struggle. This demonstration was conclusive, signaling it was time to test the RT Charger on public roads.
The RT Charger: A True Winter Road Warrior
Winter transforms unpaved roads in Milford, Michigan, into a treacherous landscape. Flooding followed by freezing temperatures turns rutted dirt paths into solid ice, often rendering road salt ineffective. These brutal roads are typically where I test the limits of off-road trucks.
Venturing out in the Charger Daytona RT Charger in Wet/Snow Mode, I cautiously navigated these hazardous backroads, mindful of ground clearance and potential wheel damage. Despite the severe conditions, the Charger showcased its winter prowess, ascending icy inclines that would challenge most vehicles. Even in environments typically dominated by trucks and SUVs, the Charger Daytona RT Charger proved its capability, highlighting the effectiveness of Dodge’s dual-motor AWD system in enduring severe winter conditions. This test underscored the robustness and adaptability of the RT Charger in environments where lesser vehicles would falter.
RT Charger Snowstorm Stress Test: Handling and Control
Later that evening, a trip in the Daytona RT Charger to Rustic Leaf Brewing in Waterford was planned. By departure time, a fresh snowstorm had blanketed the roads with several inches of snow. With snowplows not scheduled until morning, the drive home presented an ideal scenario to rigorously test the vehicle’s winter handling capabilities.
On wider four-lane roads, I deliberately tested evasive steering and braking maneuvers in the deep snow, simulating emergency situations. The Charger remained remarkably composed, predictable, and easy to manage. Acceleration was consistently smooth, with the AWD system seamlessly distributing power to maintain optimal grip. While the car occasionally exhibited slight wiggles in deeper snow patches, overall, it maintained a confident and controlled demeanor – a level of winter performance rarely encountered outside of brands specifically known for their AWD systems.
Having previously tested AWD Chargers and Challengers in similar winter conditions, it’s clear that the new Daytona RT Charger surpasses them all in slick-road performance. Its advanced AWD and stability systems provide a driving experience that inspires confidence, even when conditions are at their worst.
EV Performance in Freezing Temperatures: The RT Charger Range
A primary concern for those skeptical about electric vehicles is the potential for range reduction in cold weather. Throughout my time with the Charger Daytona RT Charger, temperatures never rose above freezing, often hovering between a frigid 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite these consistently low temperatures, the impact on the vehicle’s range was surprisingly minimal.
After a full charge to 100% using the included Level 2 charger, a 108-mile drive resulted in a remaining battery level of 56%. This translates to an estimated real-world range of approximately 245 miles. Remarkably, this figure is only about 23 miles less than the EPA’s 268-mile rating, even with constant use of the heater, heated seats, and heated steering wheel in freezing temperatures.
Charging convenience was also notable. Depleting the battery to 56% took three days of regular commuting, and recharging to full capacity using my home charger required just six hours. The most significant advantage was the convenience of home charging, eliminating the need to endure cold weather at a public charging station – simply plug in at night and start each day with a fully charged battery, ready to tackle winter conditions.
The 2024 Daytona RT Charger: The Ultimate AWD Charger
After over a decade of evaluating new vehicles across various conditions, I can confidently state that the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona RT Charger is the most accomplished all-season Dodge I have ever driven. It elevates the AWD performance of previous Chargers to a new echelon, definitively proving that an EV can not only survive but excel in severe winter environments.
Beyond its winter capabilities, when warmer weather returns, this all-weather powerhouse unleashes 496 horsepower, achieving impressive quarter-mile times in the mid-12-second range. The new Charger is not just a competent winter vehicle; it’s a year-round thrill ride that finally eliminates the traditional compromise between performance and practicality for Dodge enthusiasts. For those of us who face ice and snow each winter, the Daytona RT Charger is more than just an EV – it’s a transformative vehicle that redefines expectations for winter driving.
