2023 Dodge Charger R/T vs. 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona: 5 Main Differences & Reliability

The Dodge Charger tends to be one of those cars that work so hard to make their name remembered amongst American muscle cars. Over the years, Dodge has let loose different versions of the Charger on the open field; with time, they get better in power, style, and all modern appliances.

In other words, when you make that choice between a 2023 Dodge Charger R/T and a 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona, what you aren’t exactly doing is choosing between two different fast cars; rather, what you are really doing is choosing between the conventional world of muscle cars with gas-driven engines and this new domain of electric performance.

We go further into a side-by-side look at differences, features, and reliability to best describe which one suits you.

2023 Dodge Charger R/T Features

The 2023 Dodge Charger R/T serves as an ideal muscle car. It is fitted with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, manufacturing 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, giving this car quite a lot of power. In addition, the deep rumble it makes always keeps the muscle car enthusiasts very high.

Allow me to elucidate—a sneak peek of some of the key features that one should expect from the 2023 Charger R/T:

• 5.7L HEMI V8 Engine: This, as earlier mentioned, is what finally gives this car the signature characteristic of a muscle car.
• 8-Speed Automatic: Smooth shifting whether just cruising down the highway or across town from a stoplight.
• Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): The RWD format offers phenomenal handling, even more on the dry roads, and makes the car sporty and responsive.
• Fuel Efficiency: This isn’t just a pretty, muscled car; it can also get to 16 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, though those are not very big numbers against other smaller cars for fuel efficiency.
• Interior Comfort: An 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes this version of the R/T as much about comfort and practicality as it is about raw speed.
• Aggressive Styling: Sporty hood scoop, bold grille, and overall, a sharp look on the road.

Pros of the 2023 Charger R/T

• Classic V8 power that sounds great and feels exciting to drive.
• Proven reliability over the years due to Dodge’s experience with gas engines.
• Cheaper maintenance as parts will be readily available and the mechanics familiar with the engine setup.

Cons of the 2023 Charger R/T

• Poor fuel economy when weighed against the newer, more efficient automobiles—especially electric ones.
• It is not as tech-forward compared to some of the other cars in the same price bracket, mainly against the Daytona.
• Heavier and less agile in nature as compared to other better and more recent performance cars.

2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Key Features

The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona is one huge pivot from anything we thought of regarding muscle cars. It’s fully electric: no gas, no exhaust fumes, and no engine noise. Sort of. Dodge added this artificial sound system whereby it can make the Daytona sound like a muscle car.

What will make the 2024 Charger Daytona stand out:

• Electric powertrain: While most of the details are still forthcoming from Dodge, we can imagine the Daytona showing up with some really impressive horsepower and torque output with instant acceleration thanks to its electric motors.
• All-Wheel Drive (AWD): Unlike the RWD R/T, this Daytona is likely to employ an AWD system. That type of drivetrain acts toward better grip/traction to make a car handle much better, especially in inclement weather conditions.
• Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust: Fitted by Dodge to give the Daytona an artificial engine note, one that replicates the growl of a gasoline-fed V8, with the aim of retaining some muscle car character.
• New technology: This Daytona is going to wear a sci-fi-esque cockpit with a big digital display for driving information and infotainment; hands-free driving technology—most probably something similar to Tesla’s autopilot.
• Zero emission: Being a full EV, Daytona will emit absolutely nothing. Hence, it’s eco-friendly and saves you more money in the long run; no gas this car pays for.
• Electric range: Although unconfirmed by Dodge, we may expect some figure over approximately 300 miles per charge, which is similar to other high-performance electric cars.

Pros of the 2024 Charger Daytona

• Instant acceleration off the line from electric motors means it will go faster than the R/T off the line.
• Zero emissions, lower operating costs: no gasoline, and less maintenance.
• Advanced technology featuring more goodies, such as semi-autonomous driving.

Disadvantages of the 2024 Charger Daytona

• Higher initial cost due to the electric powertrain and advanced technology.
• Unproven reliability since this is a brand-new model with new technology galore.
• Charging infrastructure—finding a charging station depending on where one lives—is way more difficult than finding gas stations.

5 Main Differences Between the 2023 Charger R/T and 2024 Charger Daytona

Presented below is an overview of how the 2023 Dodge Charger R/T versus the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona stacks up within five leading categories that will determine the respective strengths and weaknesses of each vehicle:

1. Power Source

The 2023 Charger R/T has a 5.7L gasoline engine, while the 2024 Daytona will go fully electric.

2. Performance

The R/T carries 370 horsepower on tap with its gas-powered engine, while the Daytona will more than likely boast instant torque through its electric motors. Exact numbers Dodge has not fessed up to for the Daytona, but this no doubt will be quicker than an R/T in general, particularly around town.

3. Sound

The R/T does have that engine roar that enthusiasts of the breed want. In turn, the Daytona is an electric vehicle and thus doesn’t carry any real engine sound. However, Dodge fitted a Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust to give it some phony muscle car sound.

4. Fuel Efficiency vs. Range

The R/T gets 16 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway, while the Daytona will get 300 miles per charge, give or take, depending on the size of the battery.

5. Tech and Comfort

Where the Daytona’s chock-full of all kinds of sci-fi tech, from hands-free driving to full digital cockpit. The R/T’s cool, too, but not quite Daytona cool—it’s got a touchscreen and smartphone integration, but that’s hardly advanced stuff anymore.

Which One Is More Reliable? 2023 Charger R/T or 2024 Charger Daytona?

If not, on the reliability side, the 2023 Charger R/T is much better placed. The powertrain on which the Charger R/T is based is an old one for which Dodge has pulled it for many years. Such a V8, as used in the R/T, is an exceptionally well-understood animal by the mechanics; spare parts are easily available. Well-accustomed reliability—the R/T—is something with which one knows what they get.

The 2024 Charger Daytona does represent new turf for Dodge. By their very nature, EVs tend to require less upkeep—they don’t need oil changes, for instance, and there’s fewer moving parts to fail. Given this is an all-new model, the big question of course is battery quality, but it’s hard to know just how well the Daytona’s electrical system will hold up in the long term.

In terms of reliability:

• 2023 Charger R/T: The engine is tested, reliably easy to service, and will absolutely be that for owners who like a setup they know is tested.
• 2024 Charger Daytona: It is more reliable in the long term with fewer moving parts, yet at least some of its reliability aspects are unknown because this is all new electric.

Cost and Maintenance

Another huge difference between these two cars will be how much they’ll cost you to run and maintain over time. The 2023 R/T runs on gasoline, meaning you’ll be spending more at the pump—especially since it doesn’t get the best gas mileage. Besides that, one can add periodic oil changes, tune-ups, and other standard maintenance of the engine on gas.

As electric, the 2024 Daytona will save you money on gas and routine engine maintenance since it doesn’t have a traditional engine. Yet, EVs have their own different costs. For instance, while you won’t need oil changes in them, eventually you’ll need to replace the battery, which can be costly. You will also need to access a charging station, which might just be tricky if you live in an area with not so many chargers.

Quick rundown:

2023 Charger R/T:

• Gas
• Regular maintenance of oil changes and tune-ups
• Much easier and cheaper to find parts and service

2024 Charger Daytona:

• Zero gas
• Very minimum maintenance, no oil change
• Very expensive battery replacement at some point in the future
• Costs for installing a home charger if needed

Conclusion

Which will be the better choice is going to depend on what you are looking for, whether it is the 2023 Dodge Charger R/T or the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona.

If classic muscle cars turn you on, the sound of a V8 engine is music to your ears, and you’re most comfortable with the devil you know and trust, then the 2023 Charger R/T is your best bet. It packs loads of punch, has proven reliability, and it is simpler—and less expensive—to maintain.

But if you really are stoked with electric vehicles and want more advanced technology with a greener outlook, well, your choice must be the 2024 Charger Daytona: much quicker off the line, more of a car of the future in design, easier on the environment, but at some cost, it does come with long-term unknowns for reliability and charging infrastructure.

It all comes back to priorities: Do you want to stick with the muscle car tradition, or are you ready to move into the electric-power future? Either way, you’re getting a fast, stylish car with the iconic Dodge Charger name.