Review Spec Price and Manual

Dodge Dart First Drive

"Aerodramatic" is what exterior design Jeff Gale called the look of the 2013 Dodge Dart. With a low-slung front end, glaring hooded projector lamp headlights, and taillights that scream Charger the Dart is a unique machine in the Compact car segment.

Chrysler was kind enough to fly me out to beautiful Austin, TX with other Social Media influencers to get a first hand look into a car that I personally am very excited about. This car is exciting because it is the first merger of Italian and American technology in a single package. It also excited me because it is a car that promises fun without sacrificing fuel economy. 

Austin was the perfect venue for this event because Dodge stressed that this was a car for Millennials. As someone who is a part of that generation I have already fallen in love with Austin. The town offers amazing food and culture that reminds me of my current home of Bloomington, Ind. on steroids.

I pounced on the first Dart I could find that held the 1.4L turbocharged Multiair engine. This is the engine of choice for this vehicle and offers the best horsepower to fuel economy ratio. Fuel economy is extremely important, but I also want a vehicle that handles well and is a joy to drive. This is what I hoped for as I set out for a 160 mile journey across the Texas landscape.

The 1.4 liter engine is very unique. Normally the compact class can be seen for some as a "penalty box" or "appliances", but this engine is from another world. On initial startup the car greets you with a throaty burble. Of course this is mostly from the careful design of the exhaust system but it gives a sense of unexpected character to a car designed for big sales numbers. 

Another surprise for this segment is the standard six-speed manual. The automatic in other models seems like an after thought.

Dodge is dedicated to selling cars with manual gearboxes and their upcoming dual dry clutch transmission (DDCT). The transmission leans towards the side of being friendly for daily driving and first time manual buyers. The throw is light and a bit long, but very easy to find the right gear. The clutch is on the heavy side which is a bit of a plus because it feels like you are moving something not the feather light clutches of late. 

 

Dodge interiors in the last few years have been sub-par compared to the rest of the competition. As much as Dodge wouldnt want to admit it the last few years have been rough on fans of the Pentastar. 

 

The Dart brings Dodge back into the competitive realm. There is a good ratio of soft-touch materials on the upper dash to the lesser quality plastic on the bottom half. The only downside is that the climate control buttons feel a bit flimsy and low quality. The upside is they are auxiliary to the touch control built into the massive and lightning fast 8.4 inch touch screen that comes with an optional uConnect system. Another great feature of the interior is a storage compartment beneath the passenger seat that would be very useful for someone like me. 

 

Unlike the SE and SXT trim levels Dodge offers a TFT (thin-film-transistor) heads up display that I found extremely helpful when trying to eek out the best possible fuel economy. The display offers a wealth of information such as exact engine temp, instant and average fuel economy and navigational data. Features like this are going to be very important to millenials who dont want their car stuck with 20 Th. century technology. This is a must have accessory on my list.

The EPA has said that the Dart is a midsize car, but their focus is to market and price this car as a compact car. Like all the American compacts the Dart feels well planted with minimal body roll through the turns. It is obvious that the car has been tuned to handle the 184 horsepower Multiair engine that is coming in the third quarter of this year. The 1.4 liter turbo is perfect because you can reach the limits without feeling like you are the limit of grip.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEvw0Gs2_ko]

 Hidden under the performance is an extremely efficient power-train. I certainly didnt drive the Dart like Travis Pastrana does in the Rallycross Dart. Instead I focused on driving the Dart how I normally drive everyday. Even driving the Dart more aggressively than normal it returned 35 miles per gallon. Though not as engaging the volume 2.0 liter Tigershark engine was able to return 39 miles per gallon on the highway. This is three more than the estimated 36 that Dodge expects. Now it is very true that I dont drive like the average person, but simple light-footed driving will result in excellent fuel economy no matter what power-train you choose.

My only gripe about the power-train is the 2.0-liter Tigershark engine and the lackluster six-speed automatic transmission bolted onto it. Blame it on preproduction or maybe just a bad transmission but the 6-speed automatic was dreadful for a modern transmission. The transmission was unresponsive on initial takeoff with a sudden jolt as the torque converter locked up. Geared for fuel economy the transmission kept the engine revving low and slow. This resulted in a lot of low speed thrum and vibration I found unacceptable in modern compact car.

Unfortunately there were no 2.4 liter Multiair equipped R/Ts available to drive. I imagine that this will be a decent engine. It will produce 184 horsepower which is twenty-four more than the 1.4 liter engine. This engine doesnt really fit with what I think the Dart should be though. Why offer a fun to drive engine with a lot of potential power left untapped as a mid-model engine. Stepping up from a very pleasing turbo engine to a bored out naturally-aspirated four cylinder seems like a waste to me. 

Versatility and a duality of spirit are what set the Dodge Dart apart. I wouldnt say that it is a great or perfect car though. There are too many things that have to be compromised to keep the price point competitive. The only issue is that it needs to focus the money on controls such as air conditions that are going to be touched a lot and need to feel and be durable. 

Customers who decide to buy a SXT, Rallye, Limited, or R/T are going to get a good car. One that offers up some shortcomings, but makes up for it with a bit of excitement and drama that you dont find in the compact class. Those who opt for the 2.0 liter will find a car that is basic transportation and nothing else. The 2.0 liter engine exists to get buyers who otherwise couldnt afford a Dart to buy one plain and simple.

After spending all day with the Dart I can say that I would like to own one. It offers some intriguing technology with an excellent power-train that ticks both boxes for me; One in the fun department and the other for fuel economy. This car should sell very well, it is priced competitively and offers a good value for someone looking for a good small car. Dodge needs a small car that can compete with the likes of Focus and Elantra. 

Compact car buyers really need to put this car on their list. For the enthusiast looking for power and enjoyment there are the Rallye and the R/T. The bargain hunter can find a good deal with the SE and the SXT that offer value without a lot of compromises. For those of us like me who look for maturity and a sense of class there is the Limited. 

If youre in the market for a compact car its worth your time to take a drive in the new Dart. If you dont youre missing out on one of the best compact cars in America. 

Photos Courtesy of: Chrysler Group, LLC.

Disclaimer: Travel, Lodging and Vehicles provided by Chrysler Group, LLC.