For the first all-new model to emerge from the Fiat-Chrysler alliance, Dodge resurrected an old nameplate and put it on a car with an Italian heritage. The Dart was the first decent small car from Dodge in decades. It's appealing in many ways, but frustrating in others and can't measure up to the best in class. For a car that needed to be an all-star, the Dart is a position player at best.
Still, the Dart gets a lot of things right. It has a solid, substantial feel and a relatively quiet cabin, even at highway speeds. It handles well, whether cruising on a two-lane backcountry road or being pushed to its limits at our track. The steering is well weighted and there's minimal body lean in turns. Surprisingly, for a small sedan, features such as a blind spot warning system, automatic high/low beams, and a heated steering wheel were offered.
Where the Dart stalls out is in its powertrains and interior accommodations. The 160-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine feels notably underpowered. A thrashy-sounding 160-hp, 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine with an optional automated-manual transmission that suffers from drivability issues is also available. Inside, the lumpy front seats have uneven, uncomfortable cushioning. And, despite its generous dimensions, the rear seat is somewhat tight.
In the end, both 2013 Darts scored low in our tests. But 2014 brought quite a few tweaks. The biggest change: the 2.4-liter four-cylinder and six-speed automatic transmission became the primary powertrain combination. This is considerably smoother than the 1.4-liter turbo with the twin-clutch transmission. Other changes include interior revisions to improve seat comfort and simplified model and options offerings.