2013 Dodge Dart Aero Priced at $20,090
When the 2013 Dodge Dart Aero goes on sale in the coming months, it will start at $20,090, including a $795 destination fee.
That’s less expensive than the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Eco ($20,475) and the 2013 Ford Focus SFE ($20,185), but it costs more than the 2013 Mazda3 with SkyActiv ($19,170).
The Dart Aero slots in-between the Dart Rallye ($18,790) and the Dart Limited ($20,790) trims in terms of pricing. Standard equipment includes cruise control, automatic headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, projector headlamps and LED taillamps. Fuel-saving features on the Dart Aero include lightweight aluminum chassis components, active grille shutters, underbody aero kit and low-rolling-resistance tires.
The Aero uses the regular turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir inline-four-cylinder that comes on some SXT, Rallye and Limited trims. It’s available with a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-dry-clutch automatic transmission.
The Dart Aero gets 28/41 mpg city/highway and 32 mpg combined with a six-speed manual transmission. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will net 28/40 mpg and 32 mpg combined. However, the Aero will only achieve these figures sipping on premium gasoline, which will likely be a major detractor for compact-car shoppers. The Dart Aero gets about the same fuel economy as the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Eco (26/39 mpg), 2013 Ford Focus SFE (28/40 mpg) and the 2013 Mazda3 (28/40 mpg) when all are equipped with an automatic transmission.
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I can't see ever requiring premium fuel on a compact car. The whole point of compact cars is economy. I understand that it's not a huge chunk more for premium, however, just seems like you're kind of missing the point by requiring premium.
When you getting 40 mpg the extra $2 a tank doesn't mean much. My Cruze Eco doesn't "require" premium but inside line . com has shown and GM confirmed that small turbo engines are more susceptible to knock and ping at extreme temps therefore the computer will reduce the engine timing to compensate at the cost of power and/or mpg. So requiring reg or premium is a difference on paper only. Small engine with a turbo your putting premium in when it's hot outside. Had this car been available when I bought my Eco I still probably would of bought the Eco but this would definitely have been on test drive list.
All my vehicles CAN be driven on RegUnl gas, but putting in the highest grade of Premium gas without Ethanol makes a world of difference in throttle responsiveness and acceleration.
Currently, Premium Unleaded gas without Ethanol in it goes for $5.89 a gallon here in Southern California.
I saw one of these on the road yesterday. Not bad looking. It definitely gets Dodge into the compact game that they have been out of for quite some time.
It's a fresh look for Dodge and should get a few people into the showrooms to give it a look. Regarding the premium fuel, that's becoming more commonplace but it's mainly for marketing. Right now everyone wants to be able to advertise the magic "40 mpg" number. Closer inspection reveals special circumstances to achieve this like premium fuel, low rolling resistance tires, etc.
I believe you have short changed the Cruze ECO EPA estimates. The ECO manual is rated 42 mpg highway and can actually easily beat that. Apples to apples..