Is THIS The Best Car For $16K? WHY Do YOU Think The Dodge Dart Isn't Selling MORE?

It wasn't too long ago that we were discussing the most underrated vehicles of 2013. It's a highly contentious topic because everyone thinks they're onto something; however, the reality is that there are probably a couple of cars that are grossly overlooked.

For some reason, the Dodge Dart is one of those products.

I've had the chance to drive it and to keep this brief I will say it really is a top-notch vehicle. It does just about everything well and it is a HUGE step up for Chrysler. The Dart has a bit of attitude and from my experience a bit of that Italian flair that makes the Fiat 500 so lovable.

So how is it that cars like the Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic and Ford Focus are blowing it out of the water from a sales perspective? Typically speaking we understand right away but this one seems to be a fluke.

If it were my money in this class I wouldn't even consider the others; however, the Chevrolet Cruze raked in approximately 55,000* units sold, the Ford Focus sealed the deal on 62,000* sold, and the Honda Civic rang the register with 72,000* moved off lots.

The Dart? About 23,000* units purchased.

*Please note that all these figures are year-to-date thru the end of March 2013.

If you take ONE second to click "Read Article" and see the Dart for sale at a price of $16,000 you have to wonder HOW is that possible.

That said, what say you, Spies?


2013 Dodge Dart Photo Gallery

































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hdbu - 5/28/2013 12:11:32 AM

+1 Boost

Maybe b/c it resembles the neon?

Agent001 - 5/28/2013 12:21:57 AM

+2 Boost

Then what do the Corolla and Civic resemble?

001

mini22 - 5/28/2013 12:59:14 AM

+5 Boost

Well one thing I will say for sure is that it faces a lot of competition out there. 2nd-I've read some negatives on the dual clutch tranny.Very jerky. The turbo 4 is a nice engine.(I have it in my 2013 Abarth).However it maybe overmatched with the excess weight of the Dart. Also Chrysler keeps promising the 2.4 184HP engine for the Dart but it has yet to come out.Still the Dart is miles better than a Corolla. Maybe what needs to happen is better advertizing and marketing.That's what helped the Fiat 500.

Amclaussen - 6/4/2013 11:36:22 AM

+1 Boost

You are right. It is simply a too little engine for the car. It must have the 2.4L Turbo form the SRT-4. Then we can talk.

jeffgall - 5/28/2013 6:55:34 AM

+3 Boost

Motor Trend just placed it third against others in the segment, citing good handling, but high cost to buy, low gas mileage, and low resale value equating to a high cost of ownership against others in the segment where value is a high priority. Also was not a fan of the dual clutch.

mkco - 5/28/2013 8:11:10 AM

+1 Boost

Looks great inside and out, but it's sluggish off the line and steering is overboosted. Both the Cruze and (especially) the Focus perform better.

Drerx8 - 5/28/2013 9:07:46 AM

+3 Boost

Yea, I drove one and the problem is that it really feels underpowered. The content and design is beyond the competition in my book; but the tepid acceleration really would be a deal breaker. I know its not a sports car...but this thing really doesn't have much to give in the performance department.

Agent001 - 5/28/2013 6:00:45 PM

+2 Boost

And the Cruze and Corolla DIDN'T feel even MORE underpowered?

I've test driven them all and the Dart beat them. Yes underpowered, but no more than the others. They ALL are underpowered.


001

pepito66 - 5/28/2013 5:22:45 PM

+1 Boost

The Dodge bad reputation , and what type of engine this car has , I also heard that has a Hiunday tranny so no way.

knowitall1985 - 5/28/2013 7:13:20 PM

+1 Boost

because dodge=crap

tundrahq - 5/30/2013 11:07:36 PM

+1 Boost

While I don't agree with this comment from a factual standpoint (Dodge is much, much better now than it was a few years ago from a quality standpoint), consumer perceptions are hard to shake.

If you were unfortunate enough to buy a Chrysler product during the last 4 decades, you probably swore them off forever (or you bought one of the good ones). It will take Dodge years to overcome this perception.

I also think the rear-end's resemblance to the Neon hurts it a bit too.

mkco - 5/29/2013 8:23:10 AM

+1 Boost

001.. I haven't driven the Corolla, and wouldn't bother. But yes, I do think the Cruze drives better than the Dart. I'm still waiting for the Dart R/T... What's the hold up?

Autopinion - 5/30/2013 8:18:32 AM

+1 Boost

My guess is Dodge is still perceive as a truck/muscle car brand. This product is a disconnect from the other products in the line-up.

Amclaussen - 6/4/2013 11:47:51 AM

+1 Boost

Look: The dodge brand has ALWAYS had a vehicle family called "Performance/Image" (you can look at the VIN explanation in a Hayes manual). The Problem is the STUPID management of Dodge (or the Italians) NOT being informed at all! Those old enough to remember, will immediately remember the R/T's, Super Bees, GTS's etc. Those have been the best performance/price ratio vehicles for decades. The problem with the just-badged Dart R/T is that it is NOT a real R/T! IT is just another bad joke like the stupid SUV from them, also badged as "R/T".
A true Dart R/T should have a 2.4L Turbo, manual transmission, larger brakes and slightly stiffer springs and shocks. THAT WOULD BE A TRUE ONE.

carsnyc - 5/30/2013 12:16:17 PM

+1 Boost

Still haven't seen the first one in NYC

carsnyc - 5/30/2013 12:16:54 PM

+1 Boost

Still haven't seen the first one in NYC

HighDesert - 5/30/2013 10:23:43 PM

+1 Boost

I had a Dart as a rental for a couple of weeks. My impression was favorable; certainly much better handling than a Charger I had as a rental. Can't comment on power as it was an automatic transmission and I always find auto trannies constrain a vehicle's performance. Would I buy one? No. I was expecting something closer to the Alfa Giulietta and the Dart is just way larger.

TheDepressingTruth - 5/30/2013 11:45:08 PM

+1 Boost

It was the VERY slow start of sales when it was first introduced,thanks to Hyundai SCREWING Chrysler over by failing to deliver the contracted Automatic Transmissions (ZF is the New Provider,with a 9 speed Automatic soon to come) Also, I hear rumors of a 4dr Hatchback Chrysler 100 version. Not a Bad Car but, too heavy, poor gas mileage relative to the segment.
Car needs to be more like an Alfa and less like a Dodge,

Amclaussen - 6/4/2013 11:32:52 AM

+1 Boost

The new owmers of Chrysler DO NOT know, much less understand the spirit of the brand (in relation to the sporty versions. This new Dart SHOULD have the 2.4 L Turbo engine from the Neon SRT-4. Period!. It is the same ignorant management that started to place R/T badges on clearly NON R/T's. R/T's had been legendary vehicles, with a performance/price ratio that is simply unbeatable. But they killed this car by using a way too small (1.6) turbo engine for the size and weight of the car. No amount of "Giulietta type" of performance handling hype will make it move as a true R/T should... Stupids!