2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds long-term update of the 2013 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye includes discussion of the Dart's 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder.

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gslippy

The 2.0 has much more driveability in traffic, but it still underwhelms. I've read that the 2.4 is somewhat better than the 2.0, but it's tough on gas.

The Fiatsler 1.4 and 1.4T is a dud in every application.

noburgers

It must be tough going from the SLS or from the CTS-V sport test drive back to a car like the Dart. I'm surprised the editors don't crash more often. With turbo engines gaining ground on more cars there might be a good reason to avoid the weaker ones in hot climates.

fordson1

Yes, this is a known weakness, and yet...as your fuel economy updates reveal, you folks persist in running this car on 87 octane all summer long. Why ignore an easily- and cheaply-available remedy for the issue? You only have that crap 91 octane out there, but that would be plenty to wake this car up.

quadricycle

@fordson1: That horse is long dead... And even if it weren't, why are you suggesting that they employ an easy, cheap, and effective solution over say, getting the car with a completely different motor or continuing to stress themselves out by trying to ma

dby2012

1) Like already stated, they are running lower octane gas which could hurt performance
2) There is a recent software update for the DDCT that is available that some owners are saying dramatically changes the transmission and reduces lag- but if they keep insisting on using 87 octane gas who knows how much of an impact this will have.
3) The 2.4 should solve most of not all the issues- it can run optimally on 87 octane gas, has more power and should get better gas mileage then what Edmunds is getting using 87 with the 1.4.
4) For 2014 the 2.4 will be standard on the SXT, Limited and of course the GT. Some have reported that on the 2014 documentation they have seen the mpg will be 35 hwy for the 2.4 and 6 speed auto for the SXT and Limited
5) I will just post what is coming and get it over with for unionbuster to save him time today- get rid of the turd! lmao

cynic783

turbo fail. high curb weight fail. nice DI 2.4 would have NO problem

gslippy

@fordson1: 91 octane will not save this car. Yes, Edmunds isn't optimizing matters by running the recommended fuel - and they speed - but the 1.4T is a dog no matter what it's drinking.

@dby2012: The GT is rated by Dodge at 23/33 mpg.

dby2012

Those who have seen the 2014 Dart press materials noted that it says the 2.4 will be 1 mpg over the current 2.0 hwy mpg rating, so it could get 35 with the auto and 36 with the stick. It is suspected that axel ratios were changed for 2014 and explain why the 2.4 is now standard on the SXT and Limited models. I assume the 14 GT will remain the same as 2013 since it is tuned for more sport. This is just speculation so far but it would explain what already has been confirmed that the 2.4 will be the standard engine for most models.

reminder

Add a big azz inter-cooler & nitrous.
Merging problem solved.

gslippy

@dby2012: I don't know where you're getting your information, but the Dodge web site shows the 2.4 as available only on the GT trim. The 2.0 is standard on everything else but the Aero.

The Hyundai Sonata 2.4 puts out more power and actually gets 35 mp

bassrockerx

as somone who drives small cars all the time (fiat and fit) i question what sort of gaps you are trying to zip into but i also dont live in a busy city. but i checked the darts acceleration numbers and it can't be that bad!

dby2012

gslippy:

http://wot.motortrend.com/2014-dodge-dart-makes-2-4l-i-4-volume-engine-dual-clutch-on-aero-402589.html#axzz2fFe8u7Ge

The 2.4 will be standard on more models in 2014. Reports from some peopl who have seen early press materials for the 2014 Dart at their dealerships where they work report that it states the 2.4 in the Limited and SXT will get 1 mpg over the 2.0 hwy rating, which would put it at 35/36. No one knows for sure as the official 2014 EPA numbers have not been reported.

misterfusion

@gslippy: What you are looking at on the Dodge website is information about 2013 models. dby2012 is referring to the upcoming 2014 configurations. And the 2.4 should be fine in the Dart. I just drove a rental Avenger with the much-maligned, non-Tigers

greenpony

The 2.4 in the Avenger is a dog. A tired, old, anemic three-legged dog. It needs an update, which, it sounds like is going to happen for 2014? Maybe they'll create an SRT-4 Dart too?

misterfusion

The update is already here, in the current Dart GT: The "Tigershark" engine is a reworking of the 2.4 World Engine, to add MulitAir & other tweaks to supposedly improve NVH. I repeat that the old 2.4 I drove felt no worse than a similar-displacement engine in any similarly-priced car. Which I realize may be damning it with faint praise, but again, the engine did not make me want to kill myself -- which is contrary to what I've read about that engine in the press.