2020 Dodge Charger Daytona Review
The 2020 Dodge Charger Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition is a marketing strategy by the folks at FCA that capitalizes on the lunacy that was the original 1969 Daytona. As an homage to the original car, only 501 of these 717-horsepower vehicles will be produced, reflecting the 1969 production numbers.
I miss having automotive heroes—those cars and trucks that, after flipping through past magazines, would capture my imagination. Back then, I knew every option and engine code on every vehicle from nearly every manufacturer. However, nowadays, with the excess of information we receive via social media, I don’t commit as much to memory. Today’s automotive culture is changing at a rate that surpasses modern vehicles. While some OEMs are integrating advanced technology into their new models to attract buyers, others like Dodge continue to rely on impressive power figures and a dash of nostalgia to keep them afloat in the coming years.
1969 Charger Daytona: A Classic
As a fan of the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, I once built a clone based on a 1969 Charger SE. The clone was crafted to fit the exact 1969 specifications, featuring a nosecone, flush rear window, and trunk braces that secure the massive rear wing (which, by the way, is sturdy enough to stand on). However, that’s where the similarities end. With custom wheels, advanced brakes from a third-gen Viper, a five-speed manual transmission, and a powerful 471-cubic-inch stroker engine paired with Holley EFI, the car evolved into more of a pro-touring machine rather than a stock vehicle. Once finished, it traveled across the U.S., participated in rallies, drag races, and occasional track days. To date, I’ve accumulated nearly 50,000 miles with no intention of slowing down.
Technological Innovation in Daytona
The original Daytona, designed by the late John Pointer, was a revelation. It incorporated technology uncharacteristic for race cars of its time. The distinctive nose cone and rear wing were engineered to stabilize the car by guiding air efficiently, enabling speeds over 200 mph on the racetrack. Public perception may have likened the vehicle to a spaceship, but for a rocket engineer, it was a practical solution. Ultimately, Chrysler prioritized performance over aesthetics, resulting in racing victories.
The 2020 Charger Daytona, unlike its predecessors, was not built for the racetrack; nonetheless, it’s impressively fast, handles superbly, and whether it attains icon status remains uncertain.
Muscle Car Legacy
The 2020 Dodge Charger Daytona could potentially represent the last significant muscle car emerging from Detroit. Viewing this vehicle from the perspective of an enthusiast who grew up surrounded by classic high-performance engines, the Charger has undergone an impressive evolution. The 2006 Charger SRT8 came equipped with a robust 6.1L HEMI V-8, producing 425 bhp with a five-speed automatic transmission. The absence of a manual option didn’t deter buyers of that muscular sedan.
Equipped with 245/45/20-series tires upfront and 255/45/20-series tires in the rear, the Charger’s brakes featured substantial two-piston Brembo calipers on 14-inch rotors. This allowed the SRT8 to achieve 0.87 g on the skidpad, reaching 60 mph in five seconds and leading to a top speed of 165 mph—although average compared to today’s standards, it was remarkable at the time.
A Contemporary Classic
The 2020 Charger Daytona pays tribute to the muscle car era when large engines ruled over advanced technologies. The design team prioritized performance with a supercharged 6.2L HEMI, boosting power from 707 to 717 horsepower through innovative engineering changes, including a distinct rear spoiler and aesthetics unique to the Daytona model.
Critics occasionally voice concerns regarding the old platform’s longevity, but the Charger maintained its position in the U.S. large-car segment, dominating sales in 2019.
This aesthetically striking car boasts a widened body design, allowing for 20 x 11-inch rims fitted with 305/35-series Pirelli tires. For improved handling, the updated SRT-tuned Bilstein adaptive damping suspension features stiffer springs, larger sway bars, and retuned shocks, providing enhanced performance metrics.
Achieving 0.96 g on the skidpad and improved quarter-mile performance, the 2020 Charger Daytona also introduces significant upgrades in braking technology, ensuring a swift stopping distance and a confident driving experience.
Driving Experience
Taking the Daytona on the road feels akin to wearing your favorite pair of jeans; there’s an immediate comfort. Until you press the throttle, unleashing the 717 bhp coupled with 650 lb-ft of torque, it is overwhelmingly fast and exhilarating. The larger wheels, advanced tire technology, and refined suspension contribute to a balanced and composed driving experience, making aggressive driving far more manageable. Nevertheless, it’s vital to remember that this vehicle is substantial, weighing over 4,500 pounds, which means it won’t rival a sports car in terms of agility.
Interior Features and Technology
The cabin offers an enticing blend of sportiness and technology, even with some dated materials. The seats, largely unchanged since the original SRT8 debut, now include Nappa leather and updated patterns, ensuring excellent support along with heat and ventilation options. The leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel provides an exceptional feel, while the T-handle shifter evokes nostalgia from the Dodge and Plymouth cars of the 1970s.
Uconnect 4C manages navigation, audio, and climate controls while granting access to the SRT Performance Pages, allowing customization for transmission, suspension configurations, power outputs, and steering feel.
A Future Without Equivalence
The automotive landscape is evolving rapidly—autonomy and a decline in privacy loom overhead. The 2020 Charger Daytona remains a raw and powerful vehicle that prioritizes the driver’s experience over technology and assistance systems. At a price point of $74,140.00, it may not come cheap, but it remains competitively priced against similar performance vehicles.
The original 1969 Dodge Daytona is remembered for its achievements on the racetrack, not just showroom sales. Facing no direct American rivals, it carved out its legacy as a muscle car icon. Perhaps, one day, the advancements in performance technology will evolve into even more impressive muscle cars, further solidifying the legacy of models like the Daytona.
While it’s exciting to live in an age of 200-mph sedans, one can only hope that before the current-generation Charger exits the scene, it leaves a resounding mark on history, just as its iconic predecessor did 50 years ago.
Photography by John McGann
