2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T: Conquering the Ice and Snow
When I first got behind the wheel of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona lineup, the setting was sunny Arizona – ideal conditions for testing a high-performance vehicle. With clear roads and warm temperatures, I could confidently push the first-ever Dodge EV to its limits. However, for many drivers, like those of us in Michigan, winter doesn’t offer that luxury. So, when my Charger Daytona R/T was delivered at home in early February, Mother Nature had a different kind of test in store: a relentless series of winter storms.
Normally, I’d be disappointed about icy roads hindering a test drive, but with the all-wheel-drive Charger Daytona, this presented the perfect opportunity to see exactly how well Dodge’s new electric vehicle handles the worst of winter conditions.
2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T parked in snowy driveway
Ice, Snow, and AWD Confidence
Just days before the 2024 Charger Daytona R/T Plus in Triple Nickel arrived, Michigan delivered a weather curveball – temperatures rose into the low 40s, followed by eight hours of torrential rain and flooding. Then, the deep freeze quickly set in. By the time the electric Charger rolled up, my driveway and a significant portion of my property had transformed into an ice rink. One could have easily strapped on skates and glided across the yard.
Front view of Dodge Charger Daytona R/T on an icy surface
A rear-wheel-drive Charger would have undoubtedly struggled in these conditions, but the AWD Daytona handled it with ease. Backing into my garage – a maneuver that typically requires 4WD in my Ram 1500 under these icy circumstances – was effortless for the electric muscle car. And that was just the beginning of the test.
Side view of Dodge Charger Daytona R/T parked in a snowy residential area
Conquering the Ice Hill
My next challenge involved an icy incline on my property, a spot where runoff freezes into a thick, slick sheet every winter. Usually, I need my Ram 1500’s 4WD Low setting to get up this particular hill. This time, I approached it in the Charger Daytona R/T – deliberately without engaging Snow Mode, just using the standard Auto mode. With all four wheels stopped on the ice, I gently eased into the throttle. The car initially slid back slightly, then found grip, dug in, and climbed the hill without any apparent struggle. That demonstration alone provided all the proof I needed – it was time to take the electric Charger onto the public roads.
Dodge Charger Daytona R/T ascending a slippery, icy hill
Winter Road Warrior
In Milford, Michigan, unpaved roads become a true nightmare during the winter months. The cycle of flooding followed by freezing transforms these rutted dirt paths into solid sheets of ice, where even liberal application of road salt proves ineffective against the harsh elements. These roads are so notoriously brutal that I typically reserve them for testing off-road trucks and capable SUVs.
I ventured out in the Charger Daytona R/T using Wet/Snow Mode, navigating these treacherous backroads at a cautious pace to avoid potential bottoming out or damaging the wheels on hidden ice formations. Despite the extremely challenging conditions, the electric Charger demonstrated impressive winter capabilities, confidently climbing icy hills where most standard cars would certainly falter. Even in areas where trucks and SUVs are typically the only vehicles capable of traversing, the Charger Daytona R/T held its own, convincingly proving that Dodge’s advanced dual-motor AWD system is robust enough to handle serious winter punishment.
A Snowstorm Stress Test
Later that same night, I drove the Daytona R/T to Rustic Leaf Brewing in Waterford. By the time I left, a fresh snowstorm had deposited several inches of new snow onto the roads. With plows not scheduled to clear the roads until the morning, my drive home provided the perfect opportunity for a real-world stress test of the Charger’s winter handling prowess.
Dodge Charger Daytona R/T driving at night in a snowstorm
On four-lane roads covered in fresh snow, I deliberately experimented with evasive steering maneuvers and controlled braking to simulate emergency situations. The Charger remained remarkably composed, predictable, and easy to control throughout these tests. Acceleration was never an issue, with the intelligent AWD system seamlessly distributing power to maintain optimal grip on the slippery surface. Occasionally, the car would exhibit a slight wiggle in deeper snow drifts, but it consistently felt confident and under control – a level of winter performance I have rarely experienced outside of brands specifically renowned for their AWD systems. Having previously tested earlier AWD Chargers and Challengers under similar severe conditions, I can confidently assert that the new Charger Daytona R/T stands out as the best performer of the bunch when it comes to navigating slick, low-traction roads.
EV vs. Freezing Temps
One significant concern often voiced by electric vehicle skeptics is the potential for substantial range loss in severely cold weather. During my entire time with the Charger Daytona R/T, outdoor temperatures never climbed above freezing – most days hovered consistently between a frigid 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite these persistently low temperatures and constant use of energy-consuming features like the heater, heated seats, and heated steering wheel for comfort, the impact on the car’s range was surprisingly minimal.
Interior view showing the gauge cluster and range display of the electric Charger
After charging the vehicle to 100% capacity using the included Level 2 home charger, I drove a total of 108 miles and still had a healthy 56% battery charge remaining. This real-world observation translates to an estimated practical range of approximately 245 miles under these harsh conditions – a variance of only about 23 miles shy of the EPA’s official 268-mile rating.
Charging proved to be just as convenient, even in the cold. Running the battery down to 56% typically took me three days of regular commuting. Recharging it back to 100% capacity on my home charger only required about six hours overnight. Best of all, I never had to endure standing in the freezing cold at a gas station to refuel – I simply plugged it in at night in my own garage and woke up to a fully charged battery every morning, ready to face the winter roads.
The Best AWD Charger Yet
After more than a decade of testing a wide variety of new vehicles, I can state without any hesitation: the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T stands out as the best all-season Dodge vehicle I have ever had the pleasure of driving. It elevates the AWD confidence found in previous Charger models to an entirely new level, convincingly demonstrating that a high-performance electric vehicle can not only survive but actually thrive in harsh winter conditions.
But the truly exciting part? When the snow eventually melts and the roads clear, this all-weather warrior transforms, unleashing its full 496 horsepower and capable of blasting through the quarter-mile in the mid-12-second range. The new electric Charger isn’t merely a capable winter car; it’s a genuine year-round thrill ride that finally eliminates the need for dedicated Dodge fans to compromise between outright performance and practical all-season usability. The impressive performance of the electric Dodge Charger Daytona R/T in harsh winter conditions offers a compelling preview of what’s truly possible from electric muscle cars, setting a high bar for upcoming models like the highly anticipated Electric Dodge Challanger. For those of us who routinely battle ice and snow throughout the winter months, the Daytona R/T is more than just an EV – it’s a significant game-changer in the world of performance vehicles.
