| Pros | Cons | What's New |
|---|---|---|
Multiple engine options | Gas mileage is not so great compared to rivals | Sport appearance package on the SXT trim |
Great infotainment system (Optional) | Base trim exists for no reason | Rallye Appearance group for the SE trim |
Feel-good Nappa leather upholstery (Optional) | 18-inch black alloy wheels on GT trim (need Blacktop Package) | |
Upgraded cloth seats are great | ||
Bi-Xenon headlights |
$16,995
price160 hp @ 6400 rpm
horsepower148 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm
torque6-Speed Manual
transmission2.0L 4cyl FWD 6M
engine-
basic warrantyDodge is strictly known for its muscle car game, but as an automaker, you have to be present in every class to cash in some profit from the market. As is the case with most manufacturers, the expensive vehicles don’t necessarily keep the cash flow coming, it’s the budget vehicles that supply bread and butter. The 2016 Dodge Dart aims to fulfill such a purpose and has generally succeeded in doing so.
The initial trims on the Dodge Dart are better to be skipped. The features we need the most are all available on the SXT trim like air conditioner, power locks, cruise control, keyless entry, etc. We recommend getting the Technology Group for parking aids and better headlights and getting either a Cold-Weather group or Touchscreen group or both, depending on your needs. With all these options, the car becomes fairly practical and luxurious.
The 2016 Dodge Dart is just what you would call a budget car that has only one goal, taking you from place to place while still offering some comfort and convenience. This class is one of the most treacherous ones for the brand, as the likes of Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, and Ford Focus all are veteran players of the game who are present for the battle.
The car comes in 6 trims, namely SE, Turbo, SXT, Aero, GT, and Limited. There are some optional packages as well depending on the trim. The SE trim is a barebones sedan with features like adjustable steering, folding seats, and a stereo system. The Rallye package adds visual enhancements like 17-inch alloy wheels and special exterior treatment. The Turbo trim gets a 1.4L turbo engine. The price range of the sedan moves from $16,995 to $24,400.
|
Trim |
SE |
Turbo |
SXT |
Aero |
GT |
Limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (FWD) |
$16,995 |
$18,400 |
$19,400 |
$21,100 |
$22,100 |
$24,400 |
|
Key Features |
16-inch steel wheels |
In addition to SE trim features with: |
In addition to SE trim features with: |
In addition to SXT trim features with: |
In addition to SXT trim features with: |
In addition to the GT trim features with: |
|
tilt-telescope steering wheel |
Aerodynamic body design |
16-inch aluminum wheels |
Low rolling resistance tires |
Cold weather package, aerodynamic enhancement of Aero trim |
17-inch wheels |
|
|
Height adjustable front seats |
Keyless entry, active grille shutters |
Automatic headlights |
Rearview camera |
18-inch wheels |
Standard suspension setup |
|
|
Folding rear seats |
Cruise control |
LED taillights |
Upgraded instrument panel with 7-inch display |
Fog lights, keyless entry & ignition |
Remote start |
|
|
4-speaker stereo with CD player and AUX input |
Air-conditioning, steering wheel audio control |
Upgraded cloth upholstery, 60/40 split-folding seats |
8-inch touch screen infotainment |
Sporty suspension |
Perforated Nappa leather upholstery |
|
|
Cloth Upholstery |
USB & Bluetooth connectivity |
6-speaker sound system |
Satellite radio |
Leather upholstery, 6-way power driver seat |
Leather-wrapped shift knob and chrome exterior trim |
|
|
Power windows |
Power mirrors and power locks |
Sliding front armrest |
|
LED interior lighting |
|
We Recommend
The initial trims on the Dodge Dart are better to be skipped. The features we need the most are all available on the SXT trim like air conditioner, power locks, cruise control, keyless entry, etc. We recommend getting the Technology Group for parking aids and better headlights and getting either a Cold-Weather group or Touchscreen group or both, depending on your needs. With all these options, the car becomes fairly practical and luxurious.
The engine department isn’t behind when it comes to diversity. The base trim of the 2016 Dodge Dart comes with a 2.0L inline-4 engine with very conservative power figures of 160 hp & 148 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is a 6-speed manual as standard, but you can get it with a 6-speed automatic as well. Next up is the 1.4L turbo engine that makes the same power but gets a little better in torque with 184 lb-ft.
What you should aim for is the 2.4L inline 4-cylinder engine which makes a decent 184 hp & 174 lb-ft of torque. Regardless of the engine, driving the Dart daily is a good experience overall. The car stays arrow-straight in line while accelerating hard, and on turns, it doesn’t lose any confidence. Overall, doing your daily chores in this one should be just fine, if not extraordinary.
|
Models |
2016 Dodge Dart |
2016 Chevrolet Cruze |
2016 Ford Focus |
2016 Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$16,995 |
$16,700 |
$17,250 |
$17,300 |
|
Engine |
2.0L Inline Four-Cylinder |
1.4L Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder |
2.0L Inline Four-Cylinder |
1.8L Inline Four-Cylinder |
|
Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
|
Transmission |
6-speed manual |
6-speed manual |
5-speed manual |
6-speed manual |
|
Power |
160 hp @ 6,400 RPM |
153 hp @ 5,600 RPM |
160 hp @ 6,500 RPM |
132 hp @ 6,000 RPM |
|
Torque |
148 lb-ft @ 4,600 RPM |
177 lb-ft @ 2,000 RPM |
146 lb-ft @ 4,450 RPM |
128 lb-ft @ 4,400 RPM |
|
0-60 MPH (seconds) |
8.4 |
8.1 |
8.2 |
N/A |
|
Quarter-Mile (seconds) |
16.7 |
16.1 |
16.2 |
N/A |
|
Top-Speed (MPH) |
130 |
127 |
155 |
N/A |
All the cars do have similar engine specs and so is the acceleration evenly matched. There are only minute differences in the 0-60 mph timings. The Toyota Corolla is the only exception with a really slow engine, but the Valvematic technology in some trims does improve the horsepower and fuel efficiency a bit. The Dodge Dart is priced very competitively.
You can live with cloth upholstery and 4-speaker stereo, but there should be no compromise on fuel efficiency. The fuel economy of the 2016 Dodge Dart is good on paper, however, after seeing what the rivals are offering, you won’t feel as good. The 25/36/29 city/highway/combined is the lowest economy, and this is on the 2.0L engine. The 1.4L turbo engine does provide better fuel efficiency of 28 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway.
|
Models |
2016 Dodge Dart |
2016 Chevrolet Cruze |
2016 Ford Focus |
2016 Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
25 |
29 |
26 |
28 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
36 |
41 |
36 |
37 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
29 |
33 |
30 |
31 |
|
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons) |
14.2 |
13.7 |
12.4 |
13.2 |
|
Range (City/Highway/Combined; miles) |
355/511/412 |
397/562/452 |
322/446/372 |
370/488/409 |
The Chevy Cruze is sitting on the top with the best in its class economy numbers. The Toyota Corolla should have been the top performer with its tiny engine, but Chevy took the crown this time. The Ford Focus is sitting in the middle of the Chevy and Toyota. The Dodge has all the capability to occupy the top spot when it comes with the turbocharged engine.
The 2016 Dodge Dart is a family sedan, but the interior says something else. Dodge is so used to sporty designs that they have designed the interior of this car keeping in mind one of their muscle cars. There are some differences, but the main themes remain the same. The material choice is towards cheaper plastic, but we had it coming. The controls and switches layout is angled towards the driver, and while we aren’t a fan of this setup, it looks nice on the Dart.
The cloth upholstered front seats on the base trim are good and have some lateral support for the lower back, but the upgraded cloth upholstery on the SXT trim is the showstopper. The padding is thick and the bolstering is very good. The second-row seats are perfectly comfortable for 2 grownups, thanks to the specially contoured seats. The comfort part of the Dodge Dart gets a thumbs up from our side.
|
Models |
2016 Dodge Dart |
2016 Chevrolet Cruze |
2016 Ford Focus |
2016 Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches) |
38.6/58.2/42.2 |
38.9/54.9/42.0 |
38.3/55.6/41.9 |
38.3/54.8/42.3 |
|
Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches) |
37/56.1/35.2 |
37.3/53.2/36.1 |
38/53.7/33.2 |
37.1/54.8/42.3 |
|
Cargo Capacity (cubic feet) |
13.1 |
14.8 |
13.2 |
13 |
The cargo capacity is a little low for a sedan, but again, we are just nitpicking here. The 13.1 cubic feet of boot space is the lowest but not by much. Even if the space is low, the trunk opens wide enough to keep an extra-large duffel bag sideways but don’t expect it to fit a golf club cab. The interior is nearly similar in all the cars in this category. Some of the standout interior features are as follows:
The 2016 Dodge Dart comes with a 4-speaker stereo system with AUX input. The higher trims bump up the infotainment system by quite a bit with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and Uconnect system. Bluetooth and USB ports become standard by this trim. For people who just can't get enough of this system, there’s a 10-speaker Alpine sound system with a 504-watt amplifier available for $1,300. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are as follows:
While the 2016 Dodge Dart isn’t the best-looking sedan in its class, it sure does look pretty. Dodge has kept the sporty nature at bay, and for the most part, the car looks like a dulled-down sporty sedan. The front end is the sportiest part of this car. The punches in body lines are trying harder to make it look cool. We like the way the grille and headlight assembly merge into each other. At the rear, Dodge hasn’t even tried, the taillight is straight picked up from the charger, obviously with some touch-ups. Summing up the cosmetic part, the 2016 Dodge Dart is a fine-looking sedan as it isn’t trying to impress any athletes.
|
Models |
2016 Dodge Dart |
2016 Chevrolet Cruze |
2016 Ford Focus |
2016 Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3,122 |
2,932 |
2,935 |
2,800 |
|
Length (inches) |
183.9 |
183.7 |
178.5 |
182.6 |
|
Width (inches) |
72 |
70.5 |
71.8 |
69.9 |
|
Height (inches) |
57.7 |
57.4 |
57.7 |
57.3 |
|
Ground Clearance (inches) |
4.4 |
6.4 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
|
Wheelbase (inches) |
106.4 |
106.3 |
104.3 |
106.3 |
The dimensions of all the cars in the comparison today are almost similar, but there is quite a variety in the ground clearances of all. The Chevy Cruze is offering the highest ground clearance in the class. The Dodge Dart is the longest car and has a better overall width than the rivals. Even the wheelbase of all cars in this category remains nearly identical. Some of the standout exterior features are as follows:
The 2016 Dodge Dart does well in all the crash tests done by NHTSA. In both, frontal crash tests and side crash tests, the car performed well with 5-stars. The rollover rating is somehow at 4-stars only, we expect nothing short of a 5-star for sedans. In the IIHS crash tests, the car has done great in all but the small-overlap crash. It’s only an acceptable rating there. The rest of the categories are all excellent. Some of the standout safety features are as follows:
The 2016 Dodge Dart is a car that can be optioned out into a very good luxury ride, while the base trim is nothing but 4 wheels and an engine. So, it all depends on how you configure your car. The optional infotainment system and Nappa leather make the Dodge Dart an irresistible option, but while doing all this, don’t forget to take a look at the fuel economy. The 1.4L turbo engine should be your choice if you want performance and fuel efficiency both.
Car Name | 0-60 MPH | Quarter Mile | Top Speed | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Dodge Dart Ranked #3 | 8.4 sec | 16.7 sec | - | |||
2016 Acura ILX Ranked #1 | 7.8 sec | 15.5 sec | 114 mph | |||
2016 Ford Focus Ranked #2 | 8.2 sec | 16.5 sec | 130 mph | |||
2016 Buick Verano Ranked #2 | 8.2 sec | 16.3 sec | 118 mph | |||
2016 Mazda 3 Ranked #2 | 8.2 sec | 16.4 sec | 130 mph | |||
2016 Toyota Corolla Ranked #4 | 8.5 sec | 16.7 sec | 115 mph |
Car Name | MPG City | MPG Highway | MPG Combined | Fuel Tank Capacity | Range (C/H) | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Dodge Dart Ranked #4 | 24 mpg | 36 mpg | 29 mpg | 14.2 gal. | 355/511.2 mi. | |||
2016 Mazda 3 Ranked #1 | 29 mpg | 41 mpg | 33 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 382.8/541.2 mi. | |||
2016 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #2 | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | 12.8 gal. | 345.6/473.6 mi. | |||
2016 Toyota Corolla Ranked #2 | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 369.6/488.4 mi. | |||
2016 Honda Civic Ranked #2 | 27 mpg | 40 mpg | 31 mpg | 12.4 gal. | 334.8/496 mi. | |||
2016 Ford Fiesta Ranked #2 | 27 mpg | 36 mpg | 31 mpg | 12.4 gal. | 334.8/434 mi. |
Car Name | Length | Width | Height | Ground Clearance | Wheelbase | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Dodge Dart Ranked #1 | 183.9 in. | 72 in. | 57.7 in. | 4 in. | 106.4 in. | |||
2016 Buick Verano Ranked #1 | 183.9 in. | 71.4 in. | 58.1 in. | 9 in. | 105.7 in. | |||
2016 Volkswagen Jetta Ranked #2 | 183.3 in. | 70 in. | 57.2 in. | 5.2 in. | 104.4 in. | |||
2016 Toyota Corolla Ranked #3 | 182.6 in. | 69.9 in. | 57.3 in. | 5.5 in. | 106.3 in. | |||
2016 Honda Civic Ranked #4 | 182.3 in. | 70.8 in. | 55.7 in. | 6 in. | 106.3 in. | |||
2016 Nissan Sentra Ranked #5 | 182.1 in. | 69.3 in. | 58.9 in. | 6.4 in. | 106.3 in. |
Car Name | Trunk Capacity | Passenger Volume | Max Trunk Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Dodge Dart Ranked #3 | 13.1 cu.ft. | 97.2 cu.ft. | 33.5 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Chevrolet Cruze Ranked #1 | 15 cu.ft. | 94.6 cu.ft. | 237.8 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #2 | 14.8 cu.ft. | 95.6 cu.ft. | 128.1 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Ford Fiesta Ranked #3 | 12.8 cu.ft. | 85.1 cu.ft. | 46.2 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Ford Focus Ranked #3 | 13.2 cu.ft. | 90.7 cu.ft. | 487.3 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Nissan Sentra Ranked #4 | 15.1 cu.ft. | 95.9 cu.ft. | 67.2 cu.ft. |
Car Name | Cargo Volume | Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area | Max Cargo Volume | Bed Length | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Dodge Dart Ranked #1 | 83.1 cu.ft. | 13.1 cu.ft. | 33.5 cu.ft. | 73 ft. | |||
2016 Ford Fiesta Ranked #2 | 83.1 cu.ft. | 12.8 cu.ft. | 46.2 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Acura ILX Ranked #3 | 13.5 cu.ft. | 12.3 cu.ft. | 13.5 cu.ft. | 131 ft. | |||
2016 Mazda 3 Ranked #4 | 14.4 cu.ft. | 12.4 cu.ft. | 14.4 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Volkswagen Jetta Ranked #5 | 28 cu.ft. | 15.7 cu.ft. | 28 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Honda Civic Ranked #6 | 65.3 cu.ft. | 15.1 cu.ft. | 15.1 cu.ft. | - |
Car Name | Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Weight | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Dodge Dart Ranked #1 | 1000 lbs. | - | 3122 lbs. | |||
2016 Buick Verano Ranked #1 | 1000 lbs. | - | 3300 lbs. | |||
2016 Ford Focus Ranked #2 | - | 827 lbs. | 2935 lbs. | |||
2016 Volkswagen Jetta Ranked #2 | - | 1078 lbs. | 3025 lbs. | |||
2016 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #2 | - | 1058 lbs. | 2773 lbs. | |||
2016 Chevrolet Cruze Ranked #2 | - | 899 lbs. | 3084 lbs. |
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User Overall Rating
Posted On: July 4, 2024
The car performs really well, very quiet engine when driving. It gets great MPG, just a few dollars in the tank can take you a good distance. The leg room is fantastic, giving me room for mine and my wife's bags, a couple of grocery bags, and still have foot room. The seats are super comfortable and don't hurt my back. The design of both the inside and outside is beautiful, stylish, and clean. ...
