The Dodge Dart isn’t a money grabber. Even the top-level trim, Limited, has a manufacturer’s suggested price that’s less than $24,000. The base model Dart has a starting MSRP of $16,495. That’s good news when shopping for a four-door sedan. With its introduction in the 2013 model year, the car is essentially unchanged. New-for-2015 items include Android smartphone Bluetooth compatibility, voice command, streaming music and USB connectivity upgrades with the in-vehicle Uconnect system. The front wheel drive Dart can be fitted with more than 60 safety/security features. That list includes 10 airbags as standard fare.
Powering the 106.4-inch wheelbase Dart is one of three 4-cylinder engines: a 1.4-liter Multiair turbocharged powerplant producing 160 horsepower/184 pounds-feet of torque; a 2.0-liter Tigershark releasing 160 horsepower/148 pounds-feet of torque; or a 2.4-liter Multiair 2 Tigershark pumping out 184 horsepower/174 pounds-feet of torque. A one-week Dart test drive underscored the car’s nimble responsiveness and non-jarring ride. However, rear seat riders said the legroom, especially the space for knees, was too confining. Dodge Dart Limited with 2.4-liter engine and 6-speed automatic transmission carries a MSRP of $23,095 and collects estimated mpg of 23 city/35 highway.