Dodge Dart

The Dodge Dart was an automobile designed and distributed by the Dodge section of Chrysler from 1960 to 1976 in North America. In 2013 it was resurrected. The Dodge Dart, which is based on a version of the Fiat Compact platform, received a 7.8 rating from U.S. News, ranking 18^th in the Affordable Small Car category and 9^th in the Affordable Compact Car category. While some rivals offer a better performance, the Dart has a roomy cabin and crisp handling that critics love.

Performance

U.S. News gives the Dodge Dart a 7.9 performance rating, and this is the area where the Dart falls short against its competitors. The Dart offers 3 inline four-cylinder engines to go with 3 six-speed transmissions. Each engine comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, and buyers have the option between two six-speed automatic transmissions, depending on the type of engine they purchase. The Limited, Rallye, SXT, and SE models come standard with a 2.0-liter engine that produces 160 horsepower, while the R/T models have a standard 2.4-liter engine that creates 184 horsepower. Despite a performance that is somewhat lacking, the Dodge Dart has excellent steering and handling, and there have been very few complaints about the brakes.

Interior

The interior of the Dodge Dart received a 7.7 rating from U.S. News. The cabin has seating for five, and actually offers a fair amount of space for its class. Critics believe the first row has plenty of room for two adults, although it may be difficult to fit two adults in the back seat. Still, the Dart is a perfect car for a family of four with two young children. The Dart comes standard with a four-speaker stereo that has an auxiliary input jack (the base model does not come with power locks or air conditioning, however). Other models offer features such as an SD card slot, a USB port, and Dodge’s infotainment system (known as Uconnect Touch), which comes with an 8.4 inch touch screen. The Dart has 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which is enough to store some luggage for going on a short trip.

Pros/Cons

The biggest complaint about the Dodge Dart among reviewers is the weak engine, as they say the 2.0-liter engine is not fast enough from a stop and also lacks enough power for passing maneuvers. Despite the lack of power, the handling is responsive and accurate, and critics say the Dart drives beautifully on twisty and bendy roads. Critics also appreciate the Dart’s well-made interior and good-looking cabin, praising the amount of room and different available features. Reviewers have complained about the manual transmission, however, stating that the shifts between gears are too long and vague.  The rear visibility is somewhat limited because of the Dart’s styling, and the Dart is heavy, especially considering its small size. Reviewers like the infotainment and navigation systems, however, saying they are easy to use, and have praised the well-made steering wheel, saying it provides an excellent grip.

Other Features

According to the Dodge website, the Dodge Dart base model can be purchased for around $16 000. Buyers have the option of leasing for $149 a month for two years, or finance at 0% APR for 36 months. U.S. News says the average price for the Dart is somewhere between $16 000 and $20 000, depending on the engine type and additional features. The Dodge Dart was one of the only models in its class to receive top crash-test ratings from both major U.S. agencies, and it comes standard with ten airbags and many other safety features. It received a 9.8 safety rating from U.S. News.