Dodge and BMW aren’t normally close rivals, but electrification has changed that. The Dodge Charger Daytona is an all-electric muscle car that blends attitude with efficiency, and it’s a surprisingly close competitor to the BMW i5, the German luxury brand’s electric version of its iconic 5 Series.
Let’s take a closer look at these EVs and see which is better.
2025 Dodge Charger Daytona
The Dodge Charger Daytona forgoes not only a V8 engine but gasoline altogether. Available in R/T and Scat Pack variants for 2025, every Charger Daytona has a dual-motor electric powertrain, all-wheel drive (AWD), and a 2-door body with surprisingly generous backseat space. Notably, a sedan body will be available for 2026.
Dodge Charger Daytona Highlights
Muscle car look and sound: The Dodge Charger Daytona is a sleek and modern interpretation of a classic muscle car look. The available Fratzonic “exhaust” system even makes revving sounds to make it sound like it has a V8.
Stunning performance: The Dodge Charger Daytona has the performance to back up its muscular aesthetic. The R/T makes up to 496 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque, while the Scat Pack pumps out up to 670 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, beating the performance of the BMW i5 M60.
Longer range: The Dodge Charger Daytona gets a maximum range of up to 308 miles on a full charge, and that’s with standard AWD. The best range the i5 can get with AWD is 266 miles, and even the rear-wheel drive (RWD) version has a max range of a little under 300 miles.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Charger Daytona models for sale near you.
2025 BMW i5
The BMW i5 is the all-electric version of the 5 Series sedan. It takes everything we love about the 5 Series, like a premium, high-tech interior, engaging driving character, and luxury car comfort, and adds an electric motor or two, depending on how it’s optioned. Unlike the Dodge, it comes exclusively as a four-door sedan, but these EVs have more in common than you might expect.
BMW i5 Highlights
Luxurious interior: The cabin of the Dodge Charger Daytona feels like a Dodge, and the inside of the BMW i5 feels like a BMW. The i5’s interior is just plain nicer than the Charger’s, with higher-quality materials, a bigger infotainment screen, and a fancier-looking design. This is partly why the BMW is pricier than the Dodge.
Mechanical variety: Every Charger Daytona has a dual-motor electric powertrain tuned for performance. The i5, however, is available as the relatively tame, single-motor eDrive40 with RWD, the xDrive40 with AWD, and the sporty, dual-motor M60 with 593 hp and a zero-to-60 mph time just 0.4 seconds slower than the Charger Daytona Scat Pack.
Warranty and maintenance: The BMW i5 has a longer bumper-to-bumper warranty than the Dodge Charger Daytona. Although EVs tend to be low maintenance, i5 buyers get the peace of mind of a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan. Dodge offers no such maintenance plan.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the i5 models for sale near you.
Similarities
These electric cars are similar in price and interior space. Their sportiest variants are pretty close in terms of excitement, both on paper and in practice.
Pricing
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona vehicles and New 2025 BMW i5 vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona | 2025 BMW i5 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Drive Wheels | AWD | RWD |
| Range | 308 miles | 295 miles |
| Charging Time | Unavailable hours | 10 hours |
| Towing Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Payload Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Ground Clearance | 5.5 inches | 5.7 inches |
| Horsepower | 456 hp | 335 hp |
| Torque | 404 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | N/A |
| Battery Warranty | N/A | N/A |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 121 inches | 117.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 206.6 inches | 199.2 inches |
| Width With Mirrors | N/A | 84.9 inches |
| Width Without Mirrors | 79.8 inches | 74.8 inches |
| Height | 58.9 inches | 59.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 40.0 feet | 38.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.1 inches | 38.8 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 36.9 inches | 37.5 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Legroom, Front | 42.6 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 37.2 inches | 36.5 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 59.5 inches | 59.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 57.6 inches | 56.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Last Seat | 22.8 feet | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | N/A | N/A |
| Bed Length | N/A | N/A |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
Although these are both EVs with some distinct similarities, they both still have the personalities of their respective brands. The Dodge Charger Daytona is an in-your-face muscle car with standout styling, and it’s even available with the thundering sound of a V8. Meanwhile, the BMW i5 is a more restrained and sophisticated luxury car that delivers no shortage of driving engagement. Go with the Dodge if you like the idea of an electric muscle car, or spring for the BMW if a proper luxury EV is more your style.