2014 Dodge Dart Second Opinion

Posted: 05 Jun 2014 05:00 PM PDT

Mike Schlee Jun. 06, 2014 Photos by Mike Schlee

The Dart was billed as the great compact car savior for Dodge. Determined to erase memories of the lackluster Caliber, the Dart ushered in a new era for Chrysler small cars, promising to take on the heavyweights of the segment. But critical acclaim was lukewarm at best and consumer acceptance hasn't been much better.

FAST FACTS

Engine: 2.4-liter four-cylinder, 184 hp and 171 lb-ft.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 21 MPG city, 30 MPG highway, 25.9 MPG observed

Price: Starting at $17,490, our loaded up Dart SXT came in at $23,420 after destination charges.

Last year, the Dart only outsold two compact cars: the Subaru Impreza and Kia Forte. This year things are worse. Currently, the Dart trails both of those cars, putting it dead last in sales for the compact car segment. What gives? Is the Dart really that bad?

SEE ALSO: 2013 Dodge Dart Review - Video

We reviewed various versions of the Dart over the past two years and came away with mixed feelings. To see what a general consumer thinks of the car, we have once again conscripted the services of our everyday car reviewer: my wife Amanda.

New Engine, New Packages

Dodge claims to have simplified the Dart lineup slightly for 2014, but there are still five trim levels and three engines available. A 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder engine making 184 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque replaces the weak 2.0-liter engine in all trims except the base SE. The sporty Aero soldiers on with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine and remains the only Dart to receive the dual-clutch transmission option.

On hand for evaluation is a 2014 Dart SXT that features the 2.4-liter engine paired to a traditional six-speed automatic. The SXT raises the Dart's base price of $17,490 after destination charges to $19,590. However, thanks to the addition of the Sun/Sound Group, automatic transmission, Rallye Appearance Group, Cold Weather Group and Navigation, Amanda's Dart costs $23,420.

One Big Compact

At just under 184 inches in length, the Dart is large for a compact car with a heavy 3,348-lb curb weight to match. Add the powerful 2.4-liter engine and fuel economy is not exactly class leading. Officially rated at 21 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway, Amanda was able to achieve an observed average of 25.9 MPG.

Unsurprisingly, the Dart's bulk is noticeable behind the wheel. It feels closer to a mid-size sedan than a compact car, which has its pros and cons. Although difficult to make quick lane changes in heavy traffic due to its size and poor sightlines, she finds the Dart to be otherwise easy to operate and really appreciates how smooth the suspension is.

Drivetrain Woes

During her morning commute, Amanda finds the transmission to be jerky and unrefined in stop-and-go traffic. The drivetrain as a whole is not as responsive or playful as she would like. The idea of calling a compact car with 184 hp underpowered might sound absurd, but the Dart SXT actually has a worse power to weight ratio than the larger four-cylinder Mazda6 sedan.

Despite its size, the Dart is easy to park and in tight spaces. With the optional Uconnect 8.4-inch color touchscreen, the rear-view camera display is clear and gives accurate perspective of objects behind the car.

Warm, Dry and On-Route

The Uconnect infotainment system is available with Garmin-powered GPS that Amanda is a big fan of. It's easy to use, doesn't freeze up and recalculates quickly if you take an alternative route. The seat warmers also drew praise as they heat up quickly and stay very warm unlike some other vehicles that constantly switch the heat on and off. On rainy, humid days, the Dart's HVAC and defrosters have no issue keeping the windows fog free.

Less appealing to Amanda is the general design and finish inside the Dart. Although plenty of soft touch materials could be found, the rubberized dash coverings and abrasive seat fabric aren't to her liking. The turn signals are another sticking point for her. When engaged they make a loud, outdated ticking clock sound that gets on her nerves during prolonged turning lane queues.

Not Accommodating

With the pedals too far away for her petite stature, she had to position the driver's seat close to the wheel. She couldn't find an optimal driving position and found long stints behind the wheel of the Dart to be uncomfortable and tiresome.

Even at a height of 5'2," Amanda's head still came uncomfortably close to the sloping roof because she had to raise the seat to properly see over the dashboard. An all-black roofliner and B-pillar only make things worse. And while on the topic of raising the seat, the crank handle is wedged between the seat and door tightly enough to make it hard to reach without opening the door.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Dodge Dart GT Review

Trunk space is accommodating in the large-bodied Dart with 13.1 cubic feet of storage room available. Back seat space is not as generous with only 35.2-inches of rear legroom. That is less than the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra and Chevrolet Cruze, but the Dart can still comfortably fit adults in the back.

Amanda's test car came equipped with the Rallye appearance group that adds some visual flair inside and out as well as a few suspension tweaks. Even with the blacked out grille, fog lights and 17-inch wheels, Amanda found the Dart to look uninspiring as it reminds her too much of the second-generation Dodge Intrepid.

The Verdict

The Dart isn't as bad as sales figures would suggest, but it doesn't have much going for it either. Other than size, a great infotainment unit and smooth ride, the Dart is outclassed in many regards by its competition. If price, fuel efficiency and comfort are key factors in a compact sedan purchase, Amanda feels there are better offerings out there other than the Dodge Dart.

LOVE IT

Smooth drive
Uconnect
HVAC and heated seats

LEAVE IT

Driver comfort
Sightlines
Transmission
Fuel economy

2015 Lincoln MKC Review - Video

Posted: 04 Jun 2014 05:00 PM PDT

Mike Schlee Jun. 05, 2014 Photos by Adam Wood. Video by Adam Wood.

Lincoln needs the MKC to be a hit. The company desperately wants to shake its image as a manufacturer of stodgy sedans and mammoth SUVs. The MKZ sedan was supposed to be the first step in a brand reinvention targeting younger, more diverse customers (i.e. import buyers), but things aren't going according to plan.

FAST FACTS

Engines: 2.0L turbo four-cylinder with 240 hp, 270 lb-ft of torque. 2.3L turbo four-cylinder with 285 hp, 305 lb-ft.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic.

Fuel economy: 2.0L FWD rated at 20/29 MPG city/highway. 2.3L AWD rated at 18/26 MPG city/highway.

Price: Premiere 2.0 L FWD starts at $33,995 after destination charges. Reserve 2.3L AWD costs $44,565.

With the compact crossover market red-hot right now, it makes sense that Lincoln chose this segment for its next premium import fighter. Keeping with current Lincoln tradition, the MKC is based on a Ford platform, the Escape in this case. Lincoln's engineers wanted to differentiate the MKC from its Ford sibling and gave it a wider stance thanks to an increase of almost an inch in both the front and rear tracks. This not only gives the vehicle a more aggressive, well-proportioned stance, it also helps with driving dynamics.

Escaping the Badge Engineering Reputation

Style-wise the MKC couldn't be any more Lincoln and aside from a large front overhang, looks nothing like the Escape. Up front is a split-wing grille that leads into a pair of Germanesque headlights. The rear of the MKC features a wraparound liftgate that uses Ford's foot waving, hands-free accessibility technology. As is all the rage these days, the MKC has LED mirror mounted projectors that project the Lincoln logo onto the ground when you approach the vehicle.

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Inside, the MKC continues the same Lincoln design theme found in the MKZ. The dashboard is swathed in a soft, rubbery plastic housing a slanted MyLincoln Touch screen in the center console. However, unlike many touchscreen-based infotainment units, this one is accompanied by a full complement of tactile buttons including the endangered radio-tuning dial.

Taking up its usual residence on the left hand side of the center console is Lincoln's signature push-button gear shifter, which may be gimmicky, but is a nice touch to separate Lincoln from the other premium manufacturers.

New Wheel and Soft Seats

Debuting in the 2015 MKC is an all-new Lincoln steering wheel that will eventually find its way into the rest of the brand's future models. The wheel isn't exactly ground breaking or memorable, but is pleasant and functional. Leaving a much larger and positive impression on us are the soft, comfortable leather seats. Lincoln has been partnered up with British firm Bridge of Weir for some time now and it's paying off. Even compared to the leather used in the MKZ, the new seats are far superior.

Proving that Lincoln does indeed want to attract younger customers, the MKC offers built-in smartphone connectivity that allows owners to do things like lock, unlock and locate the vehicle through the MyLincoln Mobile app. For audiophiles, the MKC can also be equipped with THX II surround sound.

Unlike a lot of compact crossovers, the second row seats are designed for adult passengers with higher mounted seat cushions and arm rests. Unfortunately, legroom is tight and feels smaller than the official 36.8-inch measurement suggests. The rear hatch offers 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space that can grow to 53.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

Two Turbo Choices

Standard in the MKC is the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in top-trim Ford Escapes. It makes 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque and is paired to a six-speed automatic with either front- or all-wheel drive. The MKC can also be had with Ford's new a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates a healthy 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. It too is paired with a six-speed automatic, but is only available with all-wheel drive.

Both engines run on regular fuel, with the base MKC 2.0-liter FWD rated at 20 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. Opting for an AWD MKC will raise fuel consumption as the 2.0-liter is rated at 19 MPG city and 26 MPG highway, while the 2.3-liter is expected to return 18 in the city and 26 on the highway.

These engines are tasked with moving a lot of weight; nearly 4,000 lbs worth in the top of the-line MKC 2.3-liter AWD. The larger four-pot turbo we sampled though is up to the challenge. Turbo lag is virtually non-existent in the 2.3-liter and power can be called upon throughout the rpm range. The new engine pulls with authority and we can't wait to see how it will perform in the new Mustang.

Surprisingly Engaging

All MKCs equipped with all-wheel drive come equipped with continuously controlled damping. This system is designed to give the MKC a smooth ride while helping minimize body roll when cornering. Three separate modes – comfort, normal and sport – are available and can be manually selected by the driver.

During our drive, we didn't notice a difference in ride quality or cornering ability between the three modes. However, sport mode does more than just adjust the dampers. Press the "S" button on the center console and steering feel, throttle response and transmission mapping are all altered to make the MKC a surprisingly nimble vehicle. It isn't until a corner is taken with too much enthusiasm that the chassis reminds you this is indeed a crossover and not a sports car.

Tech Savvy

Of course all the latest safety features are included with the MKC such as collision warning with brake support, blind spot detection, lane-keep and cross-traffic alert. Being part of the Ford family, the MKC also features the self-parking assist that will steer the vehicle into and out of parallel parking spaces on its own.

On sale now, the MKC will be available in three trims levels: Premiere, Select and Reserve. The entry level Premiere 2.0 front-wheel drive starts at $33,995 after destination charges, while the 2.3-liter all-wheel drive model starts at $37,630 while the top-trim "Reserve" model starts at $44,565.

The Verdict

That pricing puts the MKC right in line with the Audi Q5, which is what Lincoln benchmarked it against. That's a bit ambitious because the MKC lacks some of the Q5's refinement and doesn't offer the same brand cachet. Lower your expectations a smidgen to stack it up beside the Acura RDX or Infiniti QX50 and it is wholly competitive.

Having a modern, class competitive vehicle shows that the mighty ship Lincoln may not be lost at sea after all. The MKC won't single-handily stamp out the lumbering old man sedan reputation, but it is a step in the right direction.

LOVE IT

Power from the 2.3-liter engine
Nimble in sport mode
Seat quality and comfort

LEAVE IT

Class average in many ways
Rear seat space
Lacks some refinement

Car Reviews

Friday, 6 June 2014