2000 Dodge Neon ES

Beauty is rare in small sedans. Designers have trouble with the short lines and tallish cabins dictated by people packaging. Indeed, most little cars have a utilitarian ugliness that, at best, comes across as a pathetic cuteness. Think Citron 2CV or even Dodge Omni. In contrast, we have the sleekly elfin 2000 Dodge Neon. Never again should you accept an automobile tagged too inexpensive to be artfully executed. Its smart styling aside, how does this new-generation model drive? Short answer: pretty darn well. Like the original, it has a strong engine, powerful brakes, and a quite solid, if simple, chassis layout. But there have been plenty of improvements in this all-new model.

The only engine is a slightly rowdy 2.0-liter/132-horsepower SOHC four-cylinder-one of the car's best and worst features. This four, with the standard five-speed manual, will return over 35 highway mpg. Yet, we recorded a quick 8.2-second run to 60 mph. (It'll also tug a 2000-pound trailer.) Still, we miss the previous model's optional 150-horse engine. For the ratio challenged, there's an optional three-speed automatic. (Dodge: Why no four speed?) But even with its new four-point engine-mount system and bigger muffler, driving the Neon with brio sets up a bold powertrain buzz. Fast and fun are noisy in this car.

Fortunately, the Neon also features a responsive chassis. Although like the engine, it's good news/bad news. The front-drive Neon carved a 64.9-mph pass through our slalom. That's better than a Mercedes-Benz CLK320. The four-wheel independent suspension has sufficient travel, and is nicely damped and works well on freeway or larger road irregularities. But it isn't happy absorbing smaller imperfections such as expansion joints or patched potholes, which report into the cabin. And despite new sound deadning, there's still noticeable road-grain noise, although less than in the previous model. We also heard more wind noise above 70 mph than we'd like.

Inside, the feel is tasteful, glassy, roomy, and airy. The instrument cluster is bright and legible, and controls are conveniently laid out. The front buckets are firm and comfortable. The rear bench easily sits two adults or three children with adequate head, hip, and legroom, and it's stuffed with some of the firmest foam we've sampled. The standard rear backrest is split 60/40 for access into the enlarged trunk.

Our handling, acceleration, and braking tests suggest there's a neat sport sedan under the attractive sheetmetal. But efforts to cut powertrain vibration and road noise have fallen short relative to new small cars in the class, particularly Ford's Focus. We'll bring you a full econocar comparison in the near future.