In a thrilling showdown, Edmunds has taken the electric Dodge Charger Daytona EV and pitted it against the formidable Ford Mustang Dark Horse in a U-drag race. While the Ford boasts a superior power-to-weight ratio, the Dodge counters with its impressive power, traction, and rapid acceleration capabilities. The results? The Dodge Charger emerged victorious in both races, though the second race showcased just how close the competition can be, underscoring the strengths of both vehicles.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained a reputation for their exceptional straight-line speed, primarily due to their abundant and instantaneous torque, efficient traction control, and the absence of gear-shifting delays. When you accelerate a powerful EV, it can leave a comparable gasoline vehicle in the dust in a straight line. But does the addition of a U-turn at the end of a drag race give lighter gasoline-powered cars a fighting chance?
In the case of the Dodge Charger Daytona EV and the Ford Mustang Dark Horse, the answer is a resounding no. Despite the Mustang’s superior power-to-weight ratio on paper, the Dodge’s electric muscle car manages to claim victory. Edmunds conducted two U-drag races, which combine a traditional drag race with a U-turn to assess not only acceleration but also how effectively each car can decelerate, navigate corners, and apply power.
The Mustang Dark Horse is the most powerful variant in the Mustang lineup, featuring an impressive 500 horsepower. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds with its 10-speed automatic transmission, or 4.1 seconds if you opt for the manual version. Until the upcoming Mustang GTD is released, this model represents the pinnacle of Ford’s pony car offerings.
Meanwhile, the Dodge Charger Daytona EV, equipped with the Scat Pack, boasts up to 670 horsepower and achieves a remarkable 0 to 60 mph time of 3.3 seconds, a figure that has been corroborated by independent testing. Although the Charger has a significant power advantage, it also carries more weight, which gives the Mustang a better power-to-weight ratio. This sets the stage for a close race, and indeed it is, but despite its heft, the Charger consistently pulls ahead.
The U-turn at the end of the first race highlights the Mustang’s agility and track-focused design, allowing it to stop and steer more effectively than the Charger, which appears more cumbersome. However, the Mustang ultimately loses both races. In the second race, Edmunds swapped drivers and lanes to ensure fairness. Although the Mustang showcased better performance out of the U-turn, the Charger managed to catch up and secure victory by the race’s end.
Despite the Charger being a polarizing vehicle—some reviewers have criticized it for its inability to perform burnouts and occasional inconsistencies in its electric powertrain—it remains a strong contender in the electric muscle car market. We look forward to further testing the Charger Daytona EV here at InsideEVs, so stay tuned for more insights.
