Chrysler
Neon
Owner report available
Dodge
Dart
Owner report available
Chrysler Neon vs Dodge Dart
The short answer
The Chrysler Neon offers fuel economy, while the Dodge Dart excels at power instead. Choose the Chrysler Neon if you prioritize fuel economy in daily driving, or the Dodge Dart if power matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Neon
Overall
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year, maintenance history, and owner expectations. For the first generation (1995-1999), the Neon is frequently described as a surprisingly quick and fun-to-drive economy car for its era, with its 2.0L engine praised for strong mid-range torque and performance that embarrassed many contemporary competitors. However, this generation is also widely criticized for significant assembly quality issues, fragile head gaskets, and a general reputation for being a "piece of shit" when not meticulously maintained.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus "best" trim or model year. The SRT-4 is the most celebrated for performance.
Known issues
- Head gasket failures (primarily first generation): very frequent cause of major engine failure, attributed to a flawed design later addressed with MLS gaskets. Frequency: very frequent.
- Automatic transmission failures: includes slipping, refusal to shift, delayed engagement (especially into reverse), and complete failure. Noted as a common failure point. Frequency: very frequent.
- Electrical and sensor issues: causes limp mode, no-start conditions, erratic gauge behavior, and security system malfunctions. Includes problems with the ECU, TCM, and various sensors. Frequency: very frequent.
Dart
Overall
Sentiment is sharply divided, with owner experiences ranging from highly positive long-term reliability to severe and recurring mechanical failures. A subset of long-term owners report excellent dependability, with vehicles running "like new" for over a decade when meticulously maintained from new, achieving high fuel economy (40+ MPG highway) and requiring only basic maintenance. However, a very frequent and dominant theme in community feedback is significant and often catastrophic reliability issues, particularly with electrical systems, specific engines, and transmissions.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available for a definitive recommendation. One owner reported a positive long-term experience with a 2013 SXT trim.
Known issues
- Severe electrical system failures: symptoms include flickering/flashing instrument cluster, complete loss of power steering while driving, radio cutting out, and multiple warning lights (Service Electronic Braking System, Service Power Ste…
- 2.4L MultiAir engine oil consumption: engine burns excessive oil, leading to very poor fuel economy (as low as 17 MPG reported) and potential engine damage. A software update and recall were issued to address this.
- DDCT (Dual Dry Clutch Transmission) failure: transmission began "acting up" around 200,000 miles, cited as a primary reason for selling the vehicle. Frequency: recurrent.
The verdict
The Chrysler Neon is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the Dodge Dart, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the Dodge Dart is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Chrysler Neon or the Dodge Dart?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Chrysler Neon and the Dodge Dart. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Chrysler Neon or the Dodge Dart?
Data on family-specific factors like cargo space is limited for one or both models, but based on available reports, both are positioned as practical daily drivers. Check the specs table above for seating and body type.
Which has better fuel economy, the Chrysler Neon or the Dodge Dart?
The Chrysler Neon is more fuel-efficient on paper: 30 mpg (7.9 L/100 km) combined versus 29 mpg (8.1 L/100 km) for the Dodge Dart, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chrysler Neon or the Dodge Dart?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Chrysler Neon than the Dodge Dart. See the known issues comparison above.