2013 Dodge Dart OVERVIEW

After a long hiatus from Dodge’s lineup, the fabled Dart nameplate returns to showrooms for the 2013 model year. Much like its predecessors, the new Dart offers customers a smaller alternative to Dodge’s large models with a healthy dose of performance. Expect even more excitement from the soon-to-arrive Dart GT and the 2014 SRT4.

The 2013 Dodge Dart, a sibling of the European-market Alfa Romeo Guilietta, features five trim levels: SE, SXT, Rallye, Aero and Limited. Except for the high-efficiency Aero, all have a 160 horsepower 2.0-liter four and a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment; the Aero relies on a turbocharged 1.4-liter four to produce 160 horsepower and 41 mpg on the highway. The base SE includes amenities like an AM/FM/CD audio system, cloth seating and manual mirrors. The SXT adds features like A/C, a six-speaker sound system, and body-colored mirrors and door handles. The Rallye edition brings a sporting flavor to the SXT with a stylish fascia and upgraded rims. The Aero package uses aerodynamic enhancements to lower wind resistance and raise fuel efficiency. The Limited, finally, has premium features like a TFT (thin film transistor) instrument cluster, touchscreen audio and upgraded cloth seating.