Dodge Charger $49 Lease Actually Costs $196 Monthly

The promise of leasing Dodge’s all-electric Charger Daytona for less than most phone bills has sparked viral attention, but the staggering list of requirements reveals why this deal remains out of reach for nearly all shoppers. Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram’s back-to-school promotion advertises a $49.99/month lease on the controversial EV, contingent on five stacked rebates and elite credit status—making it more marketing spectacle than practical offer.

Breaking Down the $49.99 Charger Daytona Lease Deal

Elk Grove Dodge’s headline-grabbing lease targets drivers seeking an affordable entry into electric muscle cars. To qualify, lessees must secure Tier 1 credit approval (typically 750+ FICO scores) and combine five distinct incentives: the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, a $1,000 “lease bonus cash” for current lessees, a $4,000 “West BC SFS Lease Bonus Cash” (exclusive to Stellantis’ Western Business Center residents), a $2,000 Stellantis friends/family discount, and a $500 military/first responder rebate. According to Carscoops (August 15, 2025), even meeting these conditions requires a $5,000 down payment—effectively raising the real monthly cost to nearly $200 over 24 months.

Industry analysts note that such complex rebate stacking often indicates inventory challenges. The Charger Daytona has struggled with lukewarm reviews criticizing its driving dynamics and initial two-door-only design. “Deals like this are designed to generate showroom traffic,” notes auto retail expert David Kelleher of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA 2025 report), “but they rarely translate to mass accessibility.”

Hidden Costs and Unanswered Questions

Beyond the steep qualifications, critical details remain undisclosed. Elk Grove Dodge hasn’t specified the lease’s annual mileage allowance—a major red flag. Low limits (e.g., 7,500 miles/year) could trigger overage fees upwards of $0.25/mile, eroding any savings for commuters. Additionally, the Daytona’s $58,995 base price makes its residual value uncertain, potentially exposing lessees to higher costs at term-end.

The dealer’s promotion also clashes with broader EV leasing trends. While Nissan recently slashed Ariya leases to $199/month (Federal Reserve Economic Data, July 2025), its offer required no regional or employment-based hoops. “This Dodge deal targets an impossibly narrow demographic,” confirms Consumer Reports analyst Mike Quincy. “You essentially need to be a high-credit Stellantis employee living in California leasing another car.”

Ultimately, Elk Grove Dodge’s $49.99 Charger Daytona lease serves as a cautionary tale in automotive marketing—a superficially dazzling offer undermined by layers of fine print. While technically legitimate for a handful of qualified buyers, the combination of a $5,000 down payment, geographic restrictions, and opaque mileage caps makes it impractical for most. Shoppers should scrutinize such promotions with extreme skepticism and always calculate true long-term costs before committing.

Must Know

Q: What credit score is needed for the $49.99 Dodge Charger Daytona lease?
A: You’ll require Tier 1 credit approval, typically a FICO score of 750 or higher, plus eligibility for all five rebates including the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

Q: Does the lease require a down payment?
A: Yes. Despite the $49.99/month headline, lessees must pay approximately $5,000 upfront, raising the effective monthly cost to nearly $200.

Q: Is the Dodge Charger Daytona lease available nationwide?
A: No. The $4,000 “West BC SFS Lease Bonus Cash” restricts eligibility to residents of Stellantis’ Western Business Center region (primarily California).

Q: Why are dealers advertising such low EV leases?
A: With EV demand slowing, manufacturers use aggressive incentives to clear inventory. However, complex requirements often limit real-world accessibility, per J.D. Power 2025 data.

Q: Could mileage limits affect this deal?
A: Absolutely. Unspecified annual mileage caps could lead to costly overage fees. Always confirm this detail before leasing any vehicle.