Looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the 2013 Dodge Dart? Now you may have another reason to be excited as Chrysler is claiming that the Alfa-Romeo-inspired sedan will return 41 mpg on the highway.
When it comes to cars, the simple truth is: looks matter. Regardless of what someone says, nobody really wants to drive an ugly car. In fact, one of the major complaints consumers have about hybrid/electric vehicles is that they aren’t always easy on the eye — often polarizing people’s opinions on just how unattractive they are. But with average gallon of gas at or near the $4.00 mark, consumers have really had to decide over purchasing the car they want to buy or the car they should buy because of rising fuel costs. With the 2013 Dodge Dart, Chrysler is fixing to give you both.
The 2013 Dodge Dart will be available in five trim levels: SE, SXT, Rallye, Limited and R/T (available 3rd quarter 2012) with a base price of $16,000. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to release official figures on the eagerly anticipated, Fiat-based sedan with “Alfa Romeo DNA,” Chrysler says the stylish subcompact will boast some impressive figures in terms of overall fuel economy.
When it’s released, the 2013 Dart – equipped with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with manual transmission — will net an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. What’s more, consumers looking for an even bigger boost in fuel economy will be able to purchase an optional Aero package that will push that return in fuel economy up to 41 mpg on the highway.
For comparative purposes, the Chevrolet Cruze offers up a similar 42 mpg highway when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, while the hybrid Toyota Prius bests both cars with a cool 48 highway mpg. Neither look as fun to drive as the Dart.
Chrysler has yet to confirm pricing of the Aero package, or what kind of figure we can expect to see with city driving and combined fuel economy, but seeing how the trim won’t be available until the third quarter of the year, they still have time to iron out the details.
Needless to say, things are looking extremely good for Chrysler and the 2013 Dodge Dart. Along with providing some exciting industry firsts, the automotive buzz surrounding the sedan continues to grow, and with a huge emphasis placed on performance, style, and fuel economy, Dodge may have just nailed the bullseye with the Dart.
