The 2013 Dodge Dart is the first offspring in the Chrysler-Fiat shotgun marriage. The underpinnings are Fiat’s the car is built in Illinois. The car seems wider than other compacts, fit and finish is pretty good.
Two engines are available the standard engine is the Tigershark four-cylinder engine (160 hp & 148 lb-ft of torque) 36mpg highway. 1.4L 16-valve Intercooled(a $1300 option) MultiAir Turbo (160 hp & 184 lb-ft of torque) 39mpg highway. A six speed manual transmission is standard and two automatics are optional. A PowerTech automatic or the Dual Dry Clutch Automatic Transmission.
One downside, the turbo requires expensive premium fuel.
The interior is very roomy, this 6.4 had ample head room with the sunroof and very good leg room.
Chrysler great 8.4 inch touch(one of the best in the industry) screen is an option in most of the Dart’s
Trunks size was very good. A full test drive is a week away.
Hyundai,Hyundai,Hyundai is slowly becoming my favorite brand. This big man fits in nearly everything they build. Something I can’t say about Ford, GM, Chrysler,Toyota and most car manufactures.
The Hyundai Veloster was a hit last year, three months after the car was introduced, the quirky car sold its complete inventory. The car generated quite a bit of attention at the Roseville dealership. The new for 2013 Veloster Turbo are quickly disappearing and I suspect will not be around after the first of the year.
The standard engine is an 1.6L GDI four cylinder engine generating 138 horsepower getting 29 City/40 Hwy with an automatic transmission. The turbo (201 horsepower) gets 25 City/34 Hwy with the automatic and up to 38mpg with the standard 6 speed manual.
The three door Veloster swallowed me up.
While I had more hip room in the Dart, the Veloster felt like it had more leg room. The seats in the base Veloster moved up and down. Head room was good and marginal with the “Panoramic Sunroof.
Not sure I like the interior flash, but I sure liked the rest of the car. The driver door is much longer than the passenger door making getting in out easy for this tall man.. Shorter drivers may not like the reach. While I would like to test drive the turbo, I don’ t think its gonna happen. Stay tuned
LisaQ
August 21, 2012
I think the Hyundai’s ugly….. But I think the Dodge is cute. I have never owned an American car before my dad think their junk. What do you think?
Lisa Q
cityfella
August 28, 2012
Its good to see Chrysler in the news. People are discovering the uniqueness in their cars… Having said that Chrysler and Fiat do not have a good reputation for building high quality cars.. For years the same could be said about Hyundai or at least the old Hyundai. But they said hey, trust us and offered a 10 year 100,000 warranty which is very expensive. Of the two cars, 10 years of peace of mind places me in Camp Hyundai.
Mama Taz
October 21, 2012
Just came off a Nissan lease…been with them for over 15 years. Came back to American….bought a 2013 Dart 1.4 turbo multaire ….6 manual….LOVE IT!!!!! Feels great to drive…live in America buy American my new moto!!! Hyundai extras are standard in Dodge.
cityfella
October 24, 2012
Mama Taz, thanks for your comment and all the best with your Dart.