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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  2015 Dodge Aero Dart - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By JLB - September 8 - 9:12 pm

  When I bought this car, it seemed nice. Traded in a 2010 Dodge Charger because I wanted better gas mileage and safer winter driving (it was rear-wheel drive - in Denver CO). I agree with the review where take-off is sluggish and 6 gears are too many - like it cant decide which gear to be in and the drive can be choppy. I complained to the dealer about the poor take-off acceleration and he said it is to save gas. Its like the car is telling ME when I should go. Very frustrating. Once it gets going over 35-40 mph, it does do very nicely, handles nice, and is relatively quiet for a small car. The turbo is great. The air conditioner has a cheapy fan sound that is inherent in Darts per the dealer, and the brakes are always squealing, which two dealers say is due to the metal they are now using, but "it helps it stop on a dime". I just have to "keep the brake dust power-washed off", which I would have to do every other day. They say its on all cars after 2005, but I dont hear other peoples cars brakes squealing as I drive. The Aero is rated at 32 mpg city and I get about 27. Not the gas savings I was expecting. As I drive stop-and-go a lot, this car is VERY frustrating to drive - I am constantly telling it to "GO!" when I give it gas from a stop and hills are worst. But, on the open road, I did get 53 avg mpg! But, I am on my 3rd check engine light since 2500 miles (car now has 4700) and they cant find the problem because of how complicated theyve made everything. I would run this car off a cliff if I could. I have had Dodges for 20 years since I worked for Chrysler at one time but Im done now. This is NOT a worthy replacement for the Neon and I wish I had my Charger back!

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  A Worthy Commuter Car - 2014 Dodge Dart
  By Jordan Bockelman - August 19 - 6:36 pm

  I 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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  Not what I thought it would be. ... - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Daddy-O - August 17 - 10:06 pm

  First, I didnt buy new so I cant say anything prior but since Ive owned it (3 months), its been in the shop 5 times for strange popping noises in front end area. Ive taken it to two different dealers and have gotten two different reasons why is doing it. But neither say it can be repaired. One says its a design flaw, the other just doesnt know why. Bottom line, its a great looking piece of junk. I wonder if it was really built by Yugo!

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  Very nice, stylish, daily driver. - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By Michael Keogh - August 16 - 5:14 pm

  This review will come across as confused. I love the look of my 2015 Dodge Dart SE auto with Rallye Package (auto option was not available in this review page). The car is comfortable, rides very well, and is quiet. The stylish exterior belies its performance. Handling is adequate for a 4-door sedan. The suspension springs are too soft to qualify this car as a sport sedan. The acceleration with this 2.0L auto is lethargic. Six speeds is too many. The transmission is always shifting trying to find the perfect gear ratio. One would think that would help fuel economy, but it doesnt. 99% of my driving is city driving and I am averaging just 22 mpg. Youd think with a 2.0L, 4-cylinder, MPG would be better. This is probably attributed the cars heft. The one good thing about the Dodge Dart is that it is cheap. With generous incentives and a well negotiated price, I purchased my car new for just over $15,000. I needed a cheap 4-door sedan, and this seemed the best option for a new vehicle.

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  Be ready for breakdowns - 2014 Dodge Dart
  By milesmom87@gmail.com - August 13 - 7:52 am

  I bought my car brand new and have had a little over a year. In this time the car had broken down 3 times. Just stopped working. This is frustrating when you have to commute to work get kids to school etc. It comes out of nowhere too I have broke down right in the middle of the road.

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  More midsized than compact!! - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By Mike - August 11 - 6:09 pm

  16k 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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  Lemon - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By Angela - July 10 - 10:27 am

  Loved how sporty the car drove during the test drive but after just a week of owning the car (purchased brand new) it was in the shop for overheating problems. A month later it was in the shop again for overheating problems and now for a third time its in the shop for overheating and lack of acceleration. Definitely not a good experience with Dodge thus far...back to Toyota I go!

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  Great small car - 2014 Dodge Dart
  By ramray - June 15 - 11:18 am

  I 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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  CAUTION When Buying - 2014 Dodge Dart
  By chris8056 - June 1 - 4:44 pm

  So, I am a college student and I drive in LA everyday. I needed a car that got good millage and that was affordable, the dart seemed like a good fit. But, I was completely wrong! So, the car has broken down on me more than 8 times in less than one year. The next day after i bought it, it broke down (No more than 2 driving hours). This car is not reliable and unsafe, I am still under warranty and I have extended warranty, but the dealership rarely does things to fix the car. They have told me to contact Chrysler because the car is a "Lemmon" and it should be red flagged. But after my plea with Chrysler they have denied me a buy back program.

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  Fabulous ride - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By wickednice - May 25 - 1:22 pm

  I 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.