Overview & Reviews

Compact Dodge cars haven't had a glowing history, with names like Aries, Caliber, Neon and Shadow best consigned to the forgotten chapters of automotive history. However, the original Dodge Dart was one notable exception. Not only did it provide reasonably dependable (for the 1970s) family transportation, it also elicited quite a following among car enthusiasts.

It's this enthusiasm that Dodge is trying to recapture with its distinctive new Dart. The days of Darts with available powerhouse V8s are long gone, but with a front-wheel-drive chassis derived from the lithe Alfa Romeo Giulietta, the four-cylinder Dart promises a different sort of fun. Instead of laying down rubber, it offers sharp steering and commendable road holding whether you're taking a spirited drive on a back road or simply running errands around town.

More importantly, the new Dodge Dart offers a degree of quality, feature content and mechanical sophistication that greatly exceeds that of previous small Dodges. When compared to other compact sedans, it's not a class leader, but it's certainly competitive.

Current Dodge Dart
The Dodge Dart is a compact sedan whose basic structure, suspension and steering are derived from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, a sporty hatchback sold in Europe. This isn't just an Italian dressed in an Uncle Sam hat, though. The Dart is not only much bigger than the Alfa, it's also larger than its myriad "compact" car competitors. Only VW's Jetta comes close. This results in more passenger space and also creates the feeling that you're driving something rather substantial. It certainly doesn't feel like a compact car.

There are five trim levels: SE, SXT, Aero, Limited and GT. All offer a choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, with the exception of the automatic-only Limited. The base SE model has a 2.0-liter, 160-horsepower four-cylinder engine.  Acceleration can be rather slow with this engine, especially with the automatic. We recommend going with the SXT, Limited or GT, as all come with a 2.4-liter 184-hp four-cylinder. The fuel-efficiency-focused Aero features a turbocharged 1.4-liter four with 160 hp that offers more punch and better gas mileage than the base SE. Note, however, that the Aero's automatic transmission is an automated manual design that is considerably less refined than the conventional automatics found in other Darts.

Although the SE comes with just a basic level of equipment, the Dodge Dart nevertheless slathers on an abundance of comfort, convenience and luxury items as you move up trim levels and start checking off options boxes. Although features like blind-sport warning systems and dual-zone climate control have become increasingly common in this class, they still give the Dart a bit of an upscale feel. Several special trim materials and a broad palette of available colors make the Dart a little more distinctive as well.

Overall, we think the Dodge Dart is a competitive small sedan that ultimately falls short of its competitors. We would steer clear of the base model and the Aero model due to their unappealing powertrains, while some drivers have found the front seats to be uncomfortable. On the other hand, the Dart deserves consideration based on its sizable cabin and trunk, user-friendly electronics, big-car driving character and ample feature content.

Used Dodge Dart Models
The Dodge Dart was reintroduced for 2013 and cars from that first model year had different engine availability. The 2.0-liter engine was standard on all trims, while the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine and its wonky automated manual transmission were more widely available. Given that only the GT trim came with the 2.4-liter engine, we'd probably steer clear of a first-year Dart.

User Reviews:

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  Loaded 2015 Limited for econobox price - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By Ed - January 14 - 6:58 pm

  Just bought a 2015 Dart Limited with every option available for 2015 for $7000 off MSRP. Put 500 miles on it in 4 days. I didnt give 5 stars because there is always room for improvement. The gas mileage not so great in city. and back seat is cramped. My last Dodge was a 1974 Charger 400 Magnum w/pistol grip 4- speed. But the Dart feels like a luxury car. You will have a difficult time finding a car equipped like it for under 19K

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  Dont buy it! - 2014 Dodge Dart
  By B - January 13 - 7:48 pm

  I have a 2014 SXT and its a death trap. It shuts down in the middle of the road going above 45 no brakes no gas steering wheel locks. Mine has been in the shop for a month and I got it back today with the same problem. Had the pcm update and has gone down hill from there. Very disappointing.

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  102,000 and climbing - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Christopher Caswell - December 31 - 8:54 pm

  I bought this 2013 in July of 2012 and have driven it every day for three and 1/2 years. I love the sytling, handling, acceleation and the way its layed out inside with instrumentation. It handles weel and, with its exceptional response and acceleration, its kept me safe and gotten me out of some near accident experiences. All Ive had to do is replace tires and change oil. If I oredered another one, Id get the leather interior and have lumbar support. I certainly love the large screen for the garmin and sound system. I also love the race trace tail lighting. Its been a great little car ! ccc

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  Bad Craftsmanship - 2014 Dodge Dart
  By Paul B. - December 16 - 4:59 am

  I bought a new 2014 Dart Aero with the automatic in May of 2014 and turned out to be a nightmare. In the six months I owned the car, it was in the shop for 2 1/2 months because of the emission control turning on the check engine light and the Active Body Control unit going haywire. The quality of the car is just awful. After 6 months of owning, I traded it for a 2015 Honda Civic. I took a small hit financially because Dodges do not keep any value, but the money pit needed to be out of my driveway. The car had a fantastic little engine that was lively and fuel efficient (46 mpg was my best tank) and great handling for a small sedan. Unfortunately, that is all I can say that was good with the car. The transmission was awful, the plastics creaking on the interior after 600 miles, and the paint chips galore on the front.

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  Please Read If Your Interested - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By sydney - December 8 - 9:12 pm

  My brother bought the car in 2013. He gave it to me for the past year. within the past year and a half no its had 3 transmission problems. the electronic screen has blacked out multiple times. the breaks make a weird chugging noise. and now theres ANOTHER recall on the breaks. the had been 3 recalls in the past 5 months. the people at dodge are extremely disrespectful. they over priced this car that keeps having the same issue over and over again. the only good thing I have notice is its very good on gas. but its not reliable enough to go on a trip because something always happens.

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  DODGE FIAT throw away cars - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By olsenancy@gmail.com - November 1 - 12:19 pm

  Buying new, my 2013 Dodge Dart is a great looking great gas mileage car, however, there is no resale valve, a/c problem with moisture in car, dealer says they made the part small for better mpg , well I get very close to 40 highway if it was 1or2 less I wouldnt care if the a/c worked good... they have changed for 2015 knowing there was a problem, I tryied working with dealer from the second day I owned and I would of lost 10k in one day.. that is crazy .... now after paying 24k new it is worth 9k .... it is a garage kept car, always clean and detailed. 26k for mileage.... the 6 speed auto shift is very it shifts when it wants... it is not smooth at all... I would never rebuy this car any any of the line up check Edmond FIAT DODGE JEEP made 5 of the top 15 autos NOT TO BUY this year.... I got screwed...I love the car but the problems are terrible.... as I need a/c when I ask what happens when I go to California,,, they said dont go a/c will not keep you cool.. other than computer problems the dealer says needs to be flashed.... I love the car... I cant even sell mine for 14k and have had it ad for 2 years now. reline with lots of nice things...

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  DONT EVER BUY DODGE DART - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Greg - October 28 - 5:25 pm

  I have been having a problem with my dodge dart 2013 coming up with service transmission not once or twice but five time i brought it in to dealer and the first time they said it was my driving. I brought it back again and this time it wasnt my driving they said it needed to be reset so I said why does it need to be rest I got the best answer I have ever heard they dont know. Now it went back in this time I was having problems starting up car it wont turn over but I did have power to the car they couldnt figure it out for two weeks they had it at the dealer and NOW my car is blowing blue smoke out the tailpipe when i am sitting at lights why is now NO ONE SHOULD EVER BUY DODGE THEY DONT STAND BEHIND THERE CARS I TRYED TO GO THROUGH THE LEMON LAW IT WAS DENIED WOW WHAT A GREAT COMPANY TO BUY FROM ALSO THERE IS RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSON AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS RECALL

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  Great for a new driver! - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By Wendy - October 23 - 11:21 pm

  Tire pressure sensitivity gauge too sensitive, like most updated vehicles. Just a pain to deal with. Tire pressure changes with the weather.

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  Wholly unsafe vehicle. - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Derek Schwartz - September 17 - 5:42 pm

  This vehicle is another example of an "American" (owned by Italians, Fiat) company putting out a substandard product that should not be on the market. I own a 2013, Dodge Dart Rallye 1.4l, manual transmission. The hydraulic system for the clutch has failed not once, not twice but three times and the vehicle barely has 37000 miles!!! The second time we were traveling through the Smokey mountains, thankfully we were able to coast to the next exit and get the vehicle working again. When I say that this vehicle has endangered the lives of my family, it is no exaggeration. As you can read in any of the other posts, this vehicle is plagued with an assortment of other issues. (P.S. The vehicle is still sitting at the dealership for the third instance of the clutch going out). Vehicle aside, Chrysler customer service is run by what seems to be children who have no grasp on the real issues that their customers are experiencing. The second time this happened I was in the middle of moving to a new base and was unable to retrieve the vehicle for sometime. This was of no import to the people of Chrysler Case management, I had to request two different case managers due to their unwillingness to return phone calls. Finally after sitting at a dealership in Tennessee for 2 months they returned my vehicle, less than a week after I received it, the clutch failed again! All beware who buy this vehicle, it is not economical, and it is certainly not safe!

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  One word RECALL! - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By John E - September 16 - 11:58 pm

  Ok so for starters this car wasnt my first choice. I previously owned a 2008 V6 Ford Mustang and it was great while it lasted but unfortunately it was its time with over 140,000 + miles on it. I was in need of a car because that was my only transportation at the time. I ended up buying the base model Dodge dart with the black top package. In my opinion it definitely has the looks its a great looking car and a good size not too big or small. Especially how everything is black on black and also has tint so it looks awesome. But I was kind of bummed that I didnt receive the black rims instead I received the charcoal colored wheels. The interior is nice, good materials nothing really cheap looking it looks good inside and out. But now the bad parts! Well first the control stick was frustrating when I test drove it I didnt pay any attention to the fact that their is only one control stick on the left side of the wheel. It was annoying but I eventually got used to it. The biggest problem the TRANSMISSION! Wow the transmission is awful but I should have known coming from Chrysler that this would be an issue. The car jerks at times when I slow down or excellerate. It shakes pretty bad right in between the process of stopping and excelleration. When I start the car it shakes when Parked. And the dealers answer for this was that the car is "warming up". Very very poor excelleration but once it gets to a certain rpm its decent. It has this horrible lag when you try to speed up. And the answer I received for this and the shaking and jerking was "the computer is trying to learn your driving habits" thats bull dodge! I have had transmission issues with my mustang before so I know exactly what a bad transmission feels like. And now Im proven right. Just recently saw articles saying 2013,14, and 15 models are being recalled for faulty transmission surprise surprise! And the gas mileage for being a 4 cylinder isnt all that great definitely not what they promise anyways. I regret getting this car but Im stuck with it at least for a bit. I would avoid it just dont bother please dont make the same mistake I did.