New Car: 2013 Dodge Dart GT

It’s your choice, of course, but somewhere between $18,000 and $25,000 you’re at the base price of a small front-drive car that will make you want to get up in the morning and go—and perhaps even grin. The source of that grin could be a Honda Fit Sport, a Fiat 500 Abarth, a Ford Focus ST, or the iconic Volkswagen GTI. If Dodge has its way, it could be the Dart GT. 

New for 2013, the GT joins the Dart SE, SXT, Rallye, Aero, and Limited models, sitting atop the price structure at $21,790. And for that money, what does GT get you? 

To start, there’s the 2.4-liter version of the Tigershark MultiAir four-cylinder producing 184 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. This mill is matched to a six-speed manual, with the (Hyundai-sourced) PowerTech 6F24 six-speed automatic available as an option. Twin exhaust outlets reside out back. Almost as a teaser, Dodge mentions that it “continues to investigate a high-performance R/T model.” There’s speculation that such a car could be powered by the turbocharged Tigershark 2.4. As far as a real ST/GTI fighter we’re still waiting. 

Thanks to: Car and Driver