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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A Worthy Commuter Car - 2014 Dodge Dart
By Jordan Bockelman - August 19 - 6:36 pmI bought my 2014 GT (pitch black with hyper black wheels, automatic transmission,) new in April of 2014 and over a year and 17000 miles later I have very few, very minor complaints. Overall its a great car and gets me to work on time with good MPG. Outward visibility is good, but as with most new cars the A and C pillars are quite thick and hard to see around. Thankfully my car has blind spot monitoring which has helped me more than once! The whole infotainment system works exceptionally well. All the menus are extremely easy to navigate and operate, but the touch sensitivity should be adjustable. More than once Ive found myself tapping the same button multiple times trying to get it to register. Navigation, radio controls, climate controls, theyre all very user friendly. There are two features that I found annoying. The rain sensing windshield wipers dont work very well. They tend not to be very intuitive and I ended up disabling it. The other feature I dislike is the rear parking sensors. They work very well, but I disabled them because while backing out of my garage they would go insane. Not a fun thing first thing in the morning. Interestingly even after the sensors have been turned off, they still sometimes sporadically work. Sometimes while backing out of a steep driveway the sensors will go off at random. Sometimes theyll sense something extremely far away, something it wouldnt sense if the sensors were turned on. And sometimes they do nothing at all. The other complaint I have is the ride quality. I didnt really know what I was getting myself into when I bought the GT. It rides like a rock in a washer, but thats what its supposed to do. It corners really well and rides fairly quietly, but due to the terrible roads in my town, the car takes a bit of a beating and I feel most of it too. As a result the plastic panel above the rear view mirror rattles against the windshield and tends to drive me nuts.
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More midsized than compact!! - 2015 Dodge Dart
By Mike - August 11 - 6:09 pm16k on mine with zero problems!! only compliant is carpet is of low quality and a bit tuff to vacuum otherwise interior looks and still smells new!! gas mileage has been 25-27 combined and 34 hwy doing 80mph! No rattles and still drives like its new!! GT is horrible to drive in snow but Im sure factory Yokohamas are to blame!!
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Great small car - 2014 Dodge Dart
By ramray - June 15 - 11:18 amI have a 2014 GT with 20,000 miles and it has been a fun, great small car that is not so small in comparison to some midsized cars. The 2.4 is a solid and reliable four that is a touch rough but has good response and decent gas mileage. I find it far more sporting and fun to fling through twisty curves. A great replacement for the old Neon and is growing in popularity...word of mouth is growing that it is a fun, sporty car!
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Fabulous ride - 2015 Dodge Dart
By wickednice - May 25 - 1:22 pmI just love this car. Best car I ever got. Had one problem. A mechanic replaced my fuel cap with a generic cap. And I had ploblems with the sensors until I replaced the fuel cap with the proper dodge fuel cap. Never had a problem with the car ever again.
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Great Car - 2014 Dodge Dart
By nick4118 - May 11 - 10:01 amWe originally had a 2013 Ford Focus. We hated it. We took it to Akins Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram, in Winder Ga. We traded it in and they hooked us up with the 2014 Dodge Dart Ralley. We have been nothing but impressed! There are some minor things that could be changed, but overall it was a great choice. We recommend it to anyone looking for a small but powerful (with the 2.4 liter) car!
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My 2015 Dodge Dart SE - 2015 Dodge Dart
By fordfan31 - March 25 - 3:28 pmI recently purchased a brand new Dart SE with the 2.0l engine. I work in the automotive field and have driven plenty of vehicles. I love my Dodge Dart and Im a big Ford guy, but I did not like the Focus as much as I love this Dart. Edmunds has their "expert" review all wrong. I drove all trim levels and the base model with the automatic does perfectly well. I even replaced the terrible Kumho tires with Bridgestone Driveguards because there is no spare. Inside the Dart is very comfy, stereo is great, HVAC controls are nice and easy, Engine Power is from the 2.0 is good and the transmission shifts perfect. I have been averaging 35mph on the highway at 70mph and I drive 600+ miles a week
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Best car ive ever owned - 2014 Dodge Dart
By webb429 - March 10 - 8:43 amI bought a 2014 dart rally in august 2014. at 13000 miles No problems at all. Runs great gas mileage around 38 to 40. plenty of leg room. I enjoy driving this car. Chrysler has been never ending on the emails to make sure Im happy with the dart. I would recommend this car to anyone.
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Dart Limited - 2014 Dodge Dart
By horsey55 - February 6 - 11:32 pmThe Limited model is the one to go to if you have any reservations about this car comparing to the luxo Euro entry models.It offers all of the amenities of many of the higher end compacts, at a lower price point,and is a joy to drive.
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Highway miles - 2013 Dodge Dart
By tedman2 - November 15 - 11:48 amI got 61,000 havent had a single problem with it bought new February 2013 had 6 months off of work so I really piled on the miles work construction like have the seats fold down for the menards trip and to carry my tools awesome gas mileage comfortable to drive knock on wood I read a lot of bad reviews so I dont know If it is the people or the car Ill keep my fingers crossed for another 60,000
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Happy - 2013 Dodge Dart
By huskamutefarms - September 24 - 11:51 amI bought my 2013 Dodge Dart SE in March of 2013. It had 10 miles on it. It is now almost October of 2014 and I have 43200 miles on my Dart. My work was a long commute, no longer thank God. I have had ZERO problems with this car. I did put a new set of TOYO tires on. Sorry to the folks that had problems.. Ohh.. I love the fact no worries about a stupid rubber timing belt every 80k to100 k. I just drive right and follow manufacture recommendations. Ed Spokane, WA
