Driving Impressions

In a car that has all the mass of a styrofoam cup, the 132 hp of the standard Neon engine can't help but deliver impressive performance. This is a small car that has a long stride and squeezes every inch from a gallon of fuel. Surprisingly, the optional 150-hp powerplant in our test car was equally economical while delivering a noticeably stronger punch. The 5-speed manual transmission that comes standard with either engine should be considered mandatory; the optional 3-speed automatic is a cheerless device that doesn't suit these small engines. The manual transmission, for its part, is well matched to the engine's power characteristics. However, the shifting in our test car wasn't as precise as some other manual transmissions provided in this class, a trait we've noticed in other Neons. Handling ranges from good (Base) to excellent (Sport) to superb (Competition Package). However, ride quality is degraded by each of the stiffer suspensions. We found our Sport acceptable in day-to-day use, the firmer ride being offset by a higher fun-to-drive quotient. The competition package, intended primarily for buyers who want to take their Neons to a race track, is a little too harsh for everyday use. Steering is excellent at all three levels. The standard brakes are good, but the 4-wheel disc option (with ABS except in the Competition Package) is far better. But the Neon has one drawback in any form: noise. Even with the extra sound insulation added for 1996, both engines are below class standards for noise and smoothness. It takes a very gentle right foot to keep the buzzes and rasps at bay, and that means slow travel, as both powerplants thrive on high rpm.

Final Word

Literally hundreds of detail improvements have been made to the Neon since it was introduced in early 1994. It was a good car then, and is a better car now. None of these changes have diluted the car's character; it is still the rising star of the small-car class. That doesn't mean it's the best small car on the market. Others are quieter, smoother, and show greater attention paid to fit and finish. Some are more economical, too. But for performance, handling and head-of-the-pack looks, Neon zips right to the head of the class. If those are factors that loom large on your wish list, a trip to your local Dodge or Plymouth dealer is definitely in order.