2013 Dodge Dart vs. Its Competition

John Voelcker

The 2013 Dodge Dart scores high on style and attitude, especially in its sportiest models, and it's likely to be most popular among buyers who want a sensible compact four-door sedan but can't tolerate the blandness of many of the best-selling entries.

The Toyota Corolla, for instance, now borders on archaic; it's reliable but might as well come only in beige.

The new Honda Civic boosted gas mileage across the board, and for 2013 gets a much better interior than it did in 2012.

The Hyundai Elantra gets deservedly high marks for styling and value, plus every model in the range is rated at 40 mpg highway--and Hyundai is selling every one it can make.

The Ford Focus is a well-designed, expensive feeling compact (in both sedan and hatchback styles) that has superb handling and performance, but you'll pay for it, with stickers that can go well above $25,000 for the nicest models.

Finally, the Chevy Cruze is a solid performer, handsome inside and out and offering both an Eco model with 42 mpg on the highway and some of the quietest highway cruising of any compact.

We think the Dart will appeal to less staid buyers who want a jolt of energy in their compact, and it should do well in that role.