2013 Dodge Dart Limited review

The Dart has made Dodge a player in an ultra-competitive segment. Stem to stern, it looks sharp, is well-executed and stylish. It’s nicely appointed for a fair price and it’s fuel efficient. What else do you want from a small sedan?

For added styling, 17-inch aluminum wheels are optional on the 2013 Dodge Dart Limited.

There were plenty of skeptics the Fiat-Chrysler tandem would prove fruitful, but in just a few short years the industrial giants seem to have truly crafted a strategy that works to their strengths. The Dart has a solid engine and chassis thanks to the Italians, but it looks and feels like a Dodge, no question. I felt the Fiat undertones only because I lived in an Alfa Romeo Giulietta for a weekend a couple of years ago, and I was taken with that machine in many ways. 

I was particularly impressed with the cabin. The materials and layout, fronted by a digital gauge setup, perform in smart fashion. The two-tone color scheme of this sample looks dapper inside. Even though it’s not a direct comparison, the Dart is legions ahead of the Avenger and even Chrysler 200. The Dart feels snug inside, but not cramped. There’s even a bit of a sporty, cockpit-like feel. Plus, I love the hidden storage area under the passenger seat cushion. Genius.

The exterior styling is above average. The Dart has a sleek look, and the grille is borderline menacing. Still, I wouldn’t call this or anything in the segment dapper. If I had to pick for style points, I think I’d go with the Ford Focus in hatchback guise, then the Dart, followed by the Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Cruze.

The 2013 Dodge Dart Limited is equipped with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine producing 160 horsepower.

The 1.4-liter MultiAir is a fun little runner of an engine. The torque is actually pretty decent early in the band (184 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm); though to wring out the 160 ponies you have to make this thing sing all the way to 5,500 rpm. With the six-speed manual, that’s a rather fun endeavor. The clutch is a bit light, and it took me slightly longer to get the feel of it. I still liked the interaction far better than the Hyundai Elantra stick I piloted the night before. The long throws of the Dodge are intuitive and enjoyable. They make you want to operate it in proper fashion. 

The chassis is reasonably taut though not abusive, and the body feels controlled through curves. Steering has a bit of a light feel during maneuvers, but that’s to be expected for this kind of consumer. I liked the Dart. The manual gearbox and classy interior won me over, and the 39 mpg EPA highway rating is a figure that resonates with the times. The segment is extremely tough, but Dodge is indeed relevant with the Dart. 

The 2013 Dodge Dart Limited is available with a six-speed manual transmission.

2013 Dodge Dart Limited

Base Price: $20,790

As-Tested Price: $25,065

Drivetrain: 1.4-liter turbocharged I4; FWD, six-speed manual

Output: 160 hp @ 5,500 rpm, 184 lb-ft @ 2,500-4,000 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,191 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 27/39/31 mpg

AW Observed Fuel Economy: 28.2 mpg

Options: 1.4-liter intercooled, turbocharged I4 engine with MultiAir, rear dual exhaust tips ($1,300); technology group including keyless Enter-N-Go push button start, ParkSense rear part assist system, blind spot and rear cross path detection, automatic high beam headlamp control, rain-sensitive windshield wipers ($995); premium group including limited leather seats, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, air conditioning with dual zone auto temp control universal garage door opener ($895); Uconnect 8.4N AM/FM/NAV including Garmin GPS navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link ($495); 17-inch by 7.5-inch aluminum polished wheels ($395); SiriusXM satellite radio including one-year subscription ($195)