The 2013 Dodge Dart: A Car that Combines European Sophistication and American Performance

Remember back in the day when cars like the Ford Focus and Honda Civic were considered the epitome of affordable transportation? Well, this isn't the first time Dodge has used the name "Dart" for one of its affordable cars. This time around, it's a collaborative effort with Italian automaker Fiat, and as a result, the Dart looks all-American but feels distinctly European.

The Dart replaces the Dodge Caliber and does so with a lot more style, quality, and fun. Chrysler didn't carry anything over from the Caliber, meaning that the Dart is an all-new car from the ground up. One of the major improvements in the interior is the classy Euro layout, which features good-quality materials and seats that are just firm enough for ideal support. However, the red illuminated dashboard is strictly American, and the controls and gauges are simple and legible.

We really like the TFT gauge cluster and the optional 8.4-inch touchscreen, which is easy to operate and entertaining to use. Speaking of options, there are all kinds of sweet add-ons available on the pricier trim levels. The base SE model is pretty sparse with manual door locks, no air conditioning, and very little electronic gadgetry. However, we think you should look at an upgraded SXT or Limited like this one, where the fun really begins with numerous high-tech extras that will please everyone.

At the top end, there's a performance-oriented RT model that has all kinds of standard features such as 18-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension, and Napa heated leather seats. The Dart comes in three engines, ranging from 160 to 184 horsepower, depending on which engine you choose. There are six-speed manual, six-speed automatic, or a six-speed auto-manual transmission to choose from. All three engines are exuberant to drive, especially the turbo 1.4, which also powers the Fiat 500 Abarth.

The ride may be a little too firm for some with the sport-tuned suspension, but it's never harsh. This is a real driver's car that corners with a nimbleness that matches or surpasses any other car in its class. There's lots of fun per gallon with the Dart, according to EPA estimates, which are pretty pleasing with the 1.4 and 2-liter engines. The 2.4-liter engine has not been rated as of yet.

Safety features on all 2013 Darts include stability control, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, and 10 airbags. When you price out a 2013 Dart, you'll start at $15,995 for an SE model prior to options, and the RT will get things going at just over $22,000. And with the five-year 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, that's reassuring once you're behind the wheel.

For comparison's sake, the Chevy Cruze has a turbo 4 and sporty handling but doesn't have the same high-tech interior vibe as the Dart. The Ford Focus has everything the Dart has but with a smaller rear seat. And then there's the Mazda 3, another formidable rival to the Dart, but we haven't quite accepted that smiley-faced grill.

The combination of European sophistication and American performance and technology is a winning recipe in the 2013 Dodge Dart. It's a more than worthy successor to the Dodge Caliber and the long list of inviting options makes the Dart a car you want to drive as often as you can.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enfew will remember back in the day but this isn't the first time dodge used the name dart for one of its affordable cars and this time around it's a collaborative effort with italian automaker fiat and as a result the dart looks all american but feels distinctly european the dart replaces the dodge caliber and does so with a lot more style quality and fun chrysler didn't carry anything over from the caliber the dart is an all new car the interior of the dart is a major improvement quality wise over the caliber a classy euro layout good quality materials and seats that are just firm enough for ideal support but the red illuminated dashboard is strictly american and the controls and gauges are simple and legible we really like the tft gauge cluster and the optional 8.4 inch touchscreen easy to operate and entertaining as well and speaking of options there are all kinds of sweet add-ons available on the pricier trim levels the base se model is pretty sparse with manual door locks no air conditioning and very little electronic gadgetry we think you should look at an upgraded sxt or limited like this one where the fun really begins with numerous high-tech extras that should please everyone at the top end the performance-oriented rt model has all kinds of standard features such as 18 inch wheels sport tuned suspension and napa heated leather seats based on the trim level three engines are available in the dart from 160 to 184 horsepower depending on what engine you decide there's a six-speed manual six-speed automatic or a six-speed auto manual transmission to choose from all three engines are exuberant to drive especially this turbo 1.4 which also powers the fiat 500 abarth the ride may be a little too firm for some with the sport tuned suspension but it's never harsh this is a real driver's car and it corners with a nimbleness that matches or surpasses any other car in its class there's lots of fun per gallon with the dart with epa estimates pretty pleasing with the 1.4 and 2-liter engines the 2.4 liter engine has not been rated as of yet safety features on all 2013 darts include stability control four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and 10 airbags when you price out a 2013 dart you'll start at 15 995 for an se model prior to options and the rt will get things going at just over 22 000. and the five-year 100 000 mile powertrain warranty is reassuring once you're behind the wheel for comparison's sake the chevy cruze has a turbo 4 and sporty handling but doesn't have the same high-tech interior vibe while the ford focus has everything the dart has but with a smaller rear seat the mazda 3 is another formidable rival to the dart but we haven't quite accepted that smiley faced grill the combination of european sophistication and american performance and technology is a winning recipe in the 2013 dodge dart it's a more than worthy successor to the dodge caliber and the long list of inviting options makes the dart a car you want to drive as often as you can youfew will remember back in the day but this isn't the first time dodge used the name dart for one of its affordable cars and this time around it's a collaborative effort with italian automaker fiat and as a result the dart looks all american but feels distinctly european the dart replaces the dodge caliber and does so with a lot more style quality and fun chrysler didn't carry anything over from the caliber the dart is an all new car the interior of the dart is a major improvement quality wise over the caliber a classy euro layout good quality materials and seats that are just firm enough for ideal support but the red illuminated dashboard is strictly american and the controls and gauges are simple and legible we really like the tft gauge cluster and the optional 8.4 inch touchscreen easy to operate and entertaining as well and speaking of options there are all kinds of sweet add-ons available on the pricier trim levels the base se model is pretty sparse with manual door locks no air conditioning and very little electronic gadgetry we think you should look at an upgraded sxt or limited like this one where the fun really begins with numerous high-tech extras that should please everyone at the top end the performance-oriented rt model has all kinds of standard features such as 18 inch wheels sport tuned suspension and napa heated leather seats based on the trim level three engines are available in the dart from 160 to 184 horsepower depending on what engine you decide there's a six-speed manual six-speed automatic or a six-speed auto manual transmission to choose from all three engines are exuberant to drive especially this turbo 1.4 which also powers the fiat 500 abarth the ride may be a little too firm for some with the sport tuned suspension but it's never harsh this is a real driver's car and it corners with a nimbleness that matches or surpasses any other car in its class there's lots of fun per gallon with the dart with epa estimates pretty pleasing with the 1.4 and 2-liter engines the 2.4 liter engine has not been rated as of yet safety features on all 2013 darts include stability control four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and 10 airbags when you price out a 2013 dart you'll start at 15 995 for an se model prior to options and the rt will get things going at just over 22 000. and the five-year 100 000 mile powertrain warranty is reassuring once you're behind the wheel for comparison's sake the chevy cruze has a turbo 4 and sporty handling but doesn't have the same high-tech interior vibe while the ford focus has everything the dart has but with a smaller rear seat the mazda 3 is another formidable rival to the dart but we haven't quite accepted that smiley faced grill the combination of european sophistication and american performance and technology is a winning recipe in the 2013 dodge dart it's a more than worthy successor to the dodge caliber and the long list of inviting options makes the dart a car you want to drive as often as you can you\n"