2013 Dodge Dart long-term update: Big utility in a small package

At the four-month mark, our long-term 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye checks in with 6,500 miles on the odometer, a log book filled with plenty of compliments — and some grumblings about the transmission we’ll address in the next update.

Praise starts with the Dart’s interior. Front and rear seats are comfortable and, despite feeling ‘cushy,’ hold up well on long trips, as we noted back in March. Six-footers will find plenty of leg and shoulder room. Most pleasantly for a car in this price range, road and wind noise are kept to a minimum even at freeway speeds. My daughter even noticed that there were strips of a velvety material on the sides of the seatbelt buckle to keep extraneous clatter to a minimum. It’s the small things that make the interior satisfying.

The infotainment with the optional 8.4-inch Uconnect system is my favorite feature on the Dart. The intuitive Garmin navigation system works quickly and is easy to use. We have also had a lot of success with the phone connectivity, and voice clarity on both ends has been exemplary. Frequently used controls like volume and tuning are also available via large rotary knobs on the dash. Same goes for the climate control with separate cold, hot, and defroster buttons, and a dial for fan speed. Staying analog for the essential controls and bucking the trend of touchscreen buttons lets the driver keep eyes on the road, which is where they should be.