I had to skip Dodge’s presentation. But our good friend and photographer Eric Merrill made it and got some pics. I then stopped by to check out the car after Chevrolet.

The 2013 Dodge Dart is the first Chrysler product based on a FIAT model, specifically the Alfa Giuletta. Enthusiasts are bemoaning that, compared to the Alfa, the Dart is a sedan rather than a hatch and that it’s styling is relatively generic, if clean and conventionally attractive. There’s some second-gen Neon in the mid-section, and the overall shape recalls the Ford Focus, just with larger radius curves and less complicated surfacing–which recall the last Dodge Avenger. Especially the full-figured rear end. It’s attractive in a way that won’t generally be noticed.

The Dart’s interior is more interesting than the exterior, with extensive red piping, red stiching (even on the instrument panel), and red perforations in the black leather in the car I sat in. Unexpectedly upscale details in a sub-$25k car.

Some of the plastics could look and feel nicer, and some aspects of the interior such as the lower part of the center stack appear a little bulbous and thus dated–but not the large 8.4″ touch screen.

The view forward is more open than in the Focus, with a less imposing instrument panel.

The seats provide good lateral support and are VERY cushy–you’re clearly not sitting in a German product. Yet another unexpectedly upscale feature (though VW offers it): four-way power lumbar.

In back there’s more room than in the average competitor. As there should be, since the Dodge Dart is very long for a compact at 183.9 inches (about five more than the Focus and ten more than the Neon).

Overall, no clear minuses (with the possible exception of dated interior and exterior styling) and a number of unexpected plusses. If it also handles and rides as well as promised–and if it proves reliable in our Car Reliability Survey–we’ll be happy Chrysler was able to stick around.

For additional details on the Dart, see my earlier post.