Introduction

Dodge Neon is practical and fun to drive. Neon features a roomy interior and is available at an affordable price. The base model delivers extraordinarily good fuel economy; its EPA rating recently earned one of the top 10 spots in a survey of the most fuel-efficient vehicles you could buy. The Neon SXT comes loaded with the features most buyers want in a compact car yet retails for just $15,435; incentives can knock $2,000 off that price. Buyers looking for more fun can opt for the sportier R/T or the high-performance SRT-4. The latter boasts a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, a sports suspension, a heavy-duty gearbox, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, and 17-inch performance tires. The SRT-4 engine has been recalibrated for 2004, and is now rated at 230 horsepower and 250 pounds-feet of torque. In fact, the 2004 Neon SRT-4 continues to be the second-quickest car in the Dodge product line, accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. Only the Dodge Viper turns in a quicker time.

Walkaround

Dodge Neon is distinguished from other small cars by its cab-forward profile, arched roofline, and ovoid headlamps. New front and rear fascias, exterior door handles, bodyside moldings and other detail work freshened the Neon for 2003. Neon's appearance hasn't changed for 2004. Neon's long wheelbase and wide track contribute to its roomy interior, ride quality and high-speed stability. Full-frame doors reduce wind noise and create a tight seal. The current Neon has a more rigid body structure than first-generation models, which results in a smoother, quieter, more controlled ride. SRT-4's grille is an inverted version of the standard Neon grille. Just behind the lower grille sits a cast-aluminum intercooler; Dodge left it visible in keeping with the car's intent. A functional hood scoop and unique integrated fog lamps emphasize SRT-4's aggressive look. The tall rear basket-handle spoiler is designed to look outrageous, and it succeeds. Sill-mounted ground effects give SRT-4 the look of a sport-compact racer. Big tires fill the wheel well openings. Special wheels are designed to channel air to the brakes to help keep them cool.

Interior Features

Dodge Neon features a roomy cabin. The driver sits high for good visibility. The Neon's front seats offer lots of hip room and legroom. The Neon offers more hip room, comparable legroom, and less headroom than the Honda Civic. The rear spoiler that's standard on R/T and optional on SXT restricts rearward vision down low, but not unduly. The SXT's seats are quite comfortable, cushy and supportive. The side bolster seemed a bit soft at first, but felt fine while driving. The cloth upholstery feels good and looks durable. Vinyl trim on the front edges of the seats gives them a nicely finished look and feel. Dash and door trim are made of a premium material that is soft to the touch, providing an attractive appearance and feel and avoiding the plastic look in many other compacts. The body-color bezels that come with the Sport Appearance package add a racy accent to the SXT. Map lights are mounted on the rear-view mirror, generally not the best location as your co-driver may accidentally adjust your mirror when using the light switch. Otherwise, switchgear is easy to use and works well, though the turn signal stalk on our SXT wasn't smooth. The stereo sounded mediocre. Having to press a button to get the key out of the ignition slot seems like an unnecessarily annoying extra step. Back-seat passengers benefit from the large interior. It's not a bad place to spend short-to-medium-length trips. Rear-seat roominess is about average for the class. The trunk is reasonably large, and average for the class. Gooseneck hinges intrude into the cargo space, but afford a relatively large trunk opening. Lift-over height is on the high side. The rear seat splits 60/40 and folds down for carrying additional cargo. SRT-4 comes with special interior trim, including a satin-silver center stack, shift knob and door handles. SRT-4 seats are modeled after those in the Dodge Viper with enhanced lumbar and lateral sections for better support when cornering. Agate-colored cloth is designed to grip the driver. Cast aluminum pedals look like those seen in racecars. A turbo boost/vacuum gauge sits to the right of the instrument cluster, underneath the dash brow.