The Dodge Neon offers sporty handling and good acceleration performance, but it isn't the most refined car in its class.
Neon's single-overhead-cam 2.0-liter engine delivers decent power. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds, which makes it quicker than many more-expensive compacts, including Honda Civic LX, Mazda Protege LX, or Nissan Sentra GXE. It lacks torque down low in the rev range, however. Step on it while cruising at 3000 rpm and it slowly gathers speed. There's a small rush of power that starts somewhere around 4000 rpm, but there isn't great gobs of it. New motor mounts introduced for 2003 reduce noise somewhat. Still, the 2.0-liter engine is relatively unrefined, and its boomy and raucous behavior is transmitted into the cabin.
The automatic transmission was recalibrated for 2003 for improved driveability, and a new, more elaborate electronic controller promises better communication between engine and gearbox. The manual gearbox works well, but shifting is clunky.
The suspension nicely balances ride quality and handling agility. The Neon is fun to drive on winding roads. It responds well in emergency lane-change maneuvers. Neon's fully independent strut-type suspension offers high ground clearance and long jounce travel, which reduces the chance of bottoming under heavy loads. Soft springs and premium shocks are tuned to enhance the Neon's ride quality. Indeed, we found that the Neon does not bottom out the way many cars do. When we hit a sharp dip, the Neon's suspension was soft enough to absorb the harshness of the dip, yet it was firm enough and had enough travel to avoid bottoming. As a result, the front of the Neon did not scrape on the pavement where many others have scraped before. This makes for a more comfortable ride and there's less need to slow to a walking pace for dips.
The brakes that come standard on the Neon stop the car quickly and are stable under hard use. The Neon stops more quickly than many of the other cars in its class. Still, we recommend the optional four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. Whether the roads are slippery or dry, the antilock brake system helps drivers maintain steering control in panic braking situations. And disc brakes are less likely to fade on mountain roads than are the standard rear drum brakes. Disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake distribution (EBD) are standard on R/T and SRT-4. They work well, and the pedal feels good.
The R/T model is more fun to drive than the standard Neon SE and SXT. Handling is much crisper and the ride quality is acceptable. The engine is more responsive and the R/T's increased horsepower is achieved without sacrificing fuel economy.
Far more exciting to drive is the Neon SRT-4. Its turbocharged engine develops 230 horsepower at 5300 rpm and 250 pounds-feet of torque from 2200 to 4400 rpm. According to Dodge, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.8 seconds. The SRT-4 was developed with input from Dodge engineers who spend their weekends road racing with the Sports Car Club of America. Bigger-than-standard front brakes stop the SRT-4 in 120 feet, according to Dodge. The Neon SRT-4 can walk all over a Ford Focus SVT, Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, or MazdaSpeed Protege in terms of acceleration and braking.
For 2004, Dodge has recalibrated the SRT-4's engine control module and specified larger, higher-flow fuel injectors, not only for more horsepower and torque but also for a broader torque band. That means less shifting under normal driving conditions. Also new for 2004 is a Quaife torque-sensing, limited-slip differential, to provide more traction when accelerating out of the corners. Standard tires are B.F. Goodrich KDW2 three-season radials, specifically developed to match the SRT-4's suspension and handling characteristics, with a tread pattern and rubber compound that maximize grip for cornering, accelerating and braking.
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