by Owning a new car is almost always a financially disadvantageous decision. But losing nearly $50,000 in one year, driving only a few thousand miles—that is a completely different level of pain. That is exactly what happened to Edmunds and their 2024 Charger Daytona Scat Pack.
How Edmunds Lost Nearly 60% of Its Value
Unlike many magazines and websites that simply borrow test cars from manufacturers, Edmunds buys them with their own funds. The publication received a small discount from Dodge on the test price of $85,965, but still paid a significant $82,000 to become the owner of Detroit’s first electric muscle car.
However, after 12 months, when it was time to sell the car, Edmunds was shocked to learn that their Daytona was worth only $35,000. That is nearly a 60% drop in value, and not because the test team put huge mileage on it. The car drove less than 7,000 miles (11,300 km), which is a normal distance for some drivers in half a year.
Digital Headaches and Disappointment
Even worse, the massive financial blow came after most Edmunds employees actively disliked the car throughout the year. Reading their notes on the long-term test could make anyone torn between pony cars immediately choose the Ford Mustang Dark Horse with a V8 engine.
Complaints ranged from a glitchy infotainment system and strange noises in the transmission to awkward ergonomics and odd software behavior. One editor described the fake Fratzonic exhaust sound as “an insult to all V8s,” while another called the car simply “boring,” which is perhaps the harshest criticism for a car with a Charger badge.
What They Disliked and What They Praised
Others criticized the turning radius, the enormous dimensions, unstable regenerative braking, and handling that apparently did not match the car’s straight-line power. But the year was not without praise. A few employees liked the design, the practicality of the hatchback, and the surprisingly good range. The 670-horsepower (679 hp / 500 kW) Daytona showed a real 255 miles (410 km), significantly surpassing the miserable official EPA estimate of 216 miles (348 km).
“The Charger was a big, expensive disappointment,” the publication summed up its year-long experience. “We won’t miss this car in our fleet.”
This story is a vivid reminder of how risky owning a new electric vehicle can be, especially in the first years after a model’s release. Rapid depreciation, combined with technical flaws and subjective driver dislike, creates a perfect storm for financial losses. Even if the car has certain advantages, such as good range and spaciousness, the overall ownership experience can be spoiled by small but irritating issues. For potential buyers, this is a signal: it is worth carefully studying real owner reviews and being prepared for a significant drop in value, especially when it comes to first-generation electric models from traditional manufacturers.
