Dodge Dart DDCT Automatic

PREVIEW

SPECIFICATIONS

1. Minimum price for 1.4-liter turbo and DDCT transmission is $20,440. 2. Price as tested: $24,875 3. Cargo room is rated at 13.1 cubic feet, more than the Honda Civic, but less than the Hyundai Elantra. 4. DDCT-equipped cars get an official 27/37 mpg rating, though our test car outperformed that.

Buckshot and heavy branding are Dodge’s weapons of choice. Customers choosing the Dart can pick from a range including 150 Mopar accessories, two engine options for now with a third soon to come, and a long list of option packages.

But that raises the question: is more really more, or just more confusing junk to sift through? The truth is, it’s probably a little bit of both, so AutoGuide.com took a closer look at the most compelling version currently available – the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine in Limited trim with a six-speed dry dual-clutch transmission (DDCT) which is available exclusively with that engine.

INTERIOR

Dodge has its target market pegged with the Dart’s interior. Lower grades leave much to be desired but the Limited trim comes loaded with cool standard features like high-grade Napa leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel and seats and even a 10-way adjustable power driver’s seat. Features aside, the cabin just looks cool — especially at night when red accent lights set the dark color scheme off.

As you no doubt already know, the body also looks impressive and aggressive, with a front end that has a furrowed brow look. The signature Dodge grille, headlight and muscular-looking hood all go miles toward making the Dart meaner.

                                

UNDER THE HOOD

It’s an interesting proposition because the turbocharged MultiAir powerplant – shared with the Fiat 500 Abarth – makes the same 160 horsepower as the 2.0-liter base engine, but with 36 lb-ft or torque available at 2500 rpm. In plain English, that makes the Dart reasonably powerful for a modern compact sedan.

Most buyers would likely prefer to skip the extra power if it meant a much thirstier car, but that isn’t the case. The smaller engine takes less gas, and when paired with the DDCT, is surprisingly efficient.

EPA estimates suggest the car will manage 27 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway in “Limited” trim, which is slightly below that of the conventional stick-shift. Surprisingly, the car managed to stack up to those figures around town and even beat the highway mpg to reach 39 mpg – this in an age when many automakers’ fuel economy numbers are being drawn into question.

Helping to achieve the numbers are trick Active Grill Shutters, which automatically open or close, reducing drag and helping the car’s fuel economy by enhancing aerodynamic performance.