![]() ![]() The ride is higher quality than one would expect, especially given the grip on pavement. ![]() The more you drive the Dart, the more fun it gets, from 25 mph on up to highway speeds. It is a real confidence builder, especially because, unlike some cars in our past (the Volkswagen Rabbit, for one), it can deal with road imperfections and other surprises reasonably well. The Dart handled curves like a champ, even when there were bumps or dirt on the road the car can easily take corners at inadvisable (because you can outrace your vision) speeds. Acceleration is predictable and rapid the Dart is, in short, responsive (and far quicker than the old slant-six variety). An aggressive pedal foot yields rapid kickdowns and satisfactory acceleration, not exactly SRT material, but enough for easy passing and no "dang, I thought I had some power in this thing" moments. On the highway, where a vintage Dart would be having issues, the modern Dart is quite comfortable, and gas mileage is far better. Most people will never notice the need for more, but those who will, like any car reviewer, will demand more. The 2.0 is a bit deficient at low revs, doesn't have much reserve for taking heavy loads up steep grades with the air conditioning on, and acceleration with part throttle is pretty hard to tell from acceleration at full throttle. The automatic downshifts readily and quickly. Meanwhile, the 2.0 was fairly quick and responsive, even up steep grades, with rapid and smooth shifting it feels more responsive than many cars that have much better sprint times. It certainly does help with stoplight response, and makes the Dart feel more like the old torque-heavy 1970s versions. This might be a way to increase its responsiveness and ability to speed away from idle, as well as a reason for its mediocre city mileage. Generally, the engine revs higher than one would expect, especially given the MultiAir system. If you get into gear too early, the car will lurch forward, just like taking a 1970 Duster out on a cold morning while it's still on fast idle. The 2.4 tuning revs rather high when the car is started, and takes some time to fall down to its normal idle speed. In any case, passing was absolutely no problem at all, with the air conditioning on, uphill, at moderate speeds (55 mph) or higher speeds. The transmission seems to respond faster than the eight-speed in the Charger, which is entirely due to Dodge's tuning of the two systems. On the highway, at any reasonable speed, the engine responded surely and smoothly to slight demands from the throttle heavier pushes resulted in near-instant one and two gear downshifts, providing hefty acceleration on demand. ![]() In short, the system is balanced more towards instant response than economy. City mileage suffers from measures taken to assure responsiveness: a high idle speed, gearing, quick downshifts, and such. The six-speed automatic keeps the engine running at 2,400 rpm at 70 mph, running the engine faster than the V6 in the eight-speed 300C or Charger at the same speed. The Hurricane 2.0 turbo engine is still at least two years off. Gas mileage is not a strength for this model, though the Aero does well. But if you go to slightly larger cars, and Darts is nearly that size, the Fusion is rated at 22/34, Sonata at 24/35. As an example, Corolla gets 27/36 mpg with its four-speed (it does better with the six-speed) Cruze is around 22/35 with its 1.8. We tested the standard version, which is plenty fast and, as important, responds quickly to inputs.įuel economy with the 2.4 automatic is not generous for a compact, though it is in-line with small mid-size cars (and Dart is close to being midsize). The 2.4 comes in two flavors, standard and GT the Dart GT essentially uses the same engine with perhaps different tuning, and certainly with different gearing which sacrifices economy for acceleration. Each engine comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission, and an optional automatic. The gadgetry, fine cornering, and comfortable seats continue but the engine now has enough power to satisfy those who disliked the 1.4's turbo lag and the 2.0's limited power. That immediately made us out of date (though the 1.4 and 2.0 continue). In 2013, we tested the Dodge Dart 1.4 and Dodge 2.0, but in 2014, every car but the base SE and the Aero got the 2.4 liter engine. ![]()
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