The 2013 Dodge Dart and several other offerings from Detroit got a spanking from Consumer Reports in a preview of their reviews that will hit news stands in January. Consumer Reports said the 2013 Dodge Dart "stalls out on its powertrains" and feels underpowered. They went on to say that "ultimately it didn't score high enough to be recommended in a very competitive small sedan class." It appears they are not very fond of the 2.0L or 1.4L and feel "the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder feels underpowered, while the optional 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is raspy and has drivability issues when mated with the optional dual-clutch automated manual transmission."
Not all was negative though, they did give the Dart props for a "relatively quiet cabin" and mentioned that "its handling is fairly nimble, and the ride is taut yet compliant." Consumer Reports pulled no punches when it came to the 2013 Cadillac XTS and the 2013 Lincoln MKS. The XTS was dissed for its Cue infotainment system, "which testers found to be convoluted and frustrating," while the MKS was faulted for a "cramped driving position, ungainly handling, uncomposed ride and limited visibility." The MKS was the lowest-rated luxury sedan in its class, according to Consumer Reports, "lagging far behind previously tested standouts like the Audi A6 and Infiniti M37."
Rounding out the snubbing of Detroits offerings the subcompact 2013 Chevrolet Spark was deemed to be too low scoring to be recommended by Consumer Reports. It was faulted in their report for "its sluggish acceleration, stiff and jittery ride and very noisy cabin." Some feel CR has no credibility, while others feel they are pretty fair when it comes to vehicle reviews. Please share your thoughts on their assessment of the 2013 Dodge Dart and if you believe they are a credible publication.
Via: Insideline