You can think of the 2014 Dodge Dart as a halfway point between the current generation Dodge Charger and a mint-condition, old-school Neon. Like other cars in the compact class, the Dart is aimed at young adults, primarily in their early to mid-20s, many of them married, many of them with young kids. While the Dodge Dart theoretically replaces the Caliber in the brand's lineup, it's actually the first compact car in the Chrysler lineup since the Neon disappeared.

'14 Dodge Dart Exterior

2014 Dodge Dart Interior

2014 Dodge Dart Power & Handling

The 2014 Dodge Dart is a rather ho-hum performer off the line. Like many cars with six-speed transmissions, the Dart is tuned to keep the engine running below 2,000 rpm under steady load, for best fuel economy. Standard is a 160-horsepower 2.0-liter four, which is quite under power for this heavy compact. The optional turbocharged engine puts out the same 160 hp, but pushes out 184 lb-ft of torque, which makes it much more entertaining to drive. The Dart's ride quality is firm but yet supple and takes the hard edge of sharp bumps and warty pavement.

Design and Styling of the '14 Dart

The 2014 Dodge Dart style says it's a performance car. Whether it can live up to that expectation depends on the engine you choose. Inside the Dart, the dash is businesslike yet flowing and sculpted. Dodge's designers said they intended users to have fun while looking at the shapes. With its flowing dashboard, the Dart's interior leans toward the sporty end of the spectrum. At the wheel, the Dart's seats are comfortable front and rear, and the seating position isn't as low as you'd expect from the car's lines. Outside, the Dart has active grille shutters that close to restrict radiator airflow when cooling air isn't needed, to reduce aerodynamic drag. The net of all the aero attention is a praiseworthy drag coefficient of 0.285, enhancing fuel economy and also helping to minimize wind noise.

Conclusions

The 2014 Dart is an athletic, refined and highly customizable sedan that gives Dodge some much-needed respect in the compact-car market. For 2014, the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is more widely available across the Dart's trim levels but there are no other significant changes. For more information about this vehicle, please visit the official Dodge Dart website.