The New Dodge Charger EV: A Controversial, Unfinished Electric Muscle Car

The Controversial Shift to Electric

• ⚡ The new Dodge Charger EV is a controversial replacement for the beloved V8-powered Charger and Challenger.
• 💡 The transition to electric power marks a major departure from the brand's muscle car heritage.
• 🚗 The Charger and Challenger have been combined into one model, with the Challenger nameplate being retired.

Performance and Practicality Concerns

• 🚀 The Charger EV offers significant power, with the Scat Pack model producing 670 horsepower, though some of this is due to an included upgrade package.
• ⚖️ The vehicle is exceptionally heavy, weighing around 5800 lbs, and is also significantly longer than its predecessors.
• 💰 Pricing is a major issue, with the base RT starting at $61,500 and the Scat Pack reaching $74,000, which is considered very high for an electric muscle car.
• ⛽ A gasoline-powered version with a Hurricane Straight-6 engine is coming, but pricing and full details are unknown, and a V8 is not guaranteed.

Design and Unique Features

• 🎨 The styling is a modern interpretation of the 1968 Dodge Charger, which is divisive but the reviewer finds appealing.
• 💡 The car features a new, unclarified badge called the "Fratzog", which lights up on the exterior and steering wheel.
• 🔊 A unique "Fratzonic" exhaust system simulates V8 engine noises, including startup and revving sounds, which are digital.
• 🚪 The Charger EV is a hatchback, offering more cargo versatility than a traditional coupe trunk, with a unique interior-mounted power close button.
• 🔌 The front trunk (frunk) can be accessed via a button or a fabric strap in the footwell.

Interior and Driving Experience

• ✨ The interior is a significant upgrade over the old Challenger, featuring modern screens, improved materials like Alcantara, and a more spacious feel.
• 🕹️ Quirks include a unique, retro-style gear selector and a "Power Shot" button for a temporary boost of acceleration.
• ⚠️ The car's large size results in huge doors and a difficult-to-reach seatbelt, and there's no easy way to bring up a camera system for parking.
• 📊 The gauge cluster screen is configurable but limited, though it helpfully displays approximate charging times when the car is turned off.
• 📱 The infotainment system is generally intuitive, with dedicated buttons for climate controls and heated/cooled seats, but can be sluggish.
• 🏎️ Performance pages offer detailed metrics and access to features like drift mode and launch control, with a dedicated launch control button.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Rear seats are decent for a coupe, with amenities like climate vents and USB-C ports, but space is limited.

Final Verdict: Unfinished Potential

• 🤔 Despite its flaws, the Charger EV drives better than expected, feeling more athletic and less ponderous than its size suggests.
• 📉 The reviewer believes the car is overpriced and incomplete, lacking a full model lineup (sedan, gas engines) and a more rational price point.
• 👍 The Charger EV is seen as a good starting point with potential for future versions, especially when used or with gas engines available at a lower price.
• 🏅 The vehicle received a DougScore of 60/100, placing it last among similar cars, primarily due to its high cost and unfinished model line.