Art of Gears
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Dodge Needs To Bring Back This Affordable Sedan

By Barnell Anderson

The Dodge Neon SRT-4: An under-appreciated performance compact gets its due at the General Motors Design staff car show during Dream Cruise week.General Motors Design 21
The Dodge Neon SRT-4: An under-appreciated performance compact gets its due at the General Motors Design staff car show during Dream Cruise week.General Motors Design 21 / Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press
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The Dodge Neon could be just the thing Dodge needs to reclaim its former popularity. It was one of the top sedans for people looking for an affordable car, and some models were also pretty peppy. By no means was the Dodge Neon the best car in its class, but a new version could compete with some of the best small cars on the market.

The 2005 Dodge Neon was the final model

The Dodge Neon lasted on the market until 2005. Unfortunately, the automaker discontinued it due to a decline in popularity. This came despite efforts to make what some called one of the top sedans even better. According to Edmunds, the 2005 Dodge Neon came standard with a 2.0-liter engine with a maximum output of 132 horsepower and a torque of 130 lb-ft. 

However, those wanting a more powerful version of the Dodge Neon could go for the SRT-4 model. This one uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that makes 220 horsepower and has a torque of 245 lb-ft. Regarding speed, this version of the compact sedan accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in only 5.3 seconds. 

Naturally, this was also one of the top sedans for people who needed something fuel-efficient. 

Why Dodge needs a new model 

Dodge is a legendary automaker, but it's in a bad place right now. Sales continue to decrease year after year, and the company is losing much of what its buyers want. However, an affordable sedan like the Neon could complement Dodge's lineup perfectly. 

Right now, Dodge's vehicles are too expensive. Additionally, the company's only sedan is the Charger, which is returning as an EV. This means Dodge has a giant hole in its lineup, which means the company isn't attracting everyday buyers. All the other automakers have all types of vehicles for buyers to try, but Dodge is mainly limited to people who want something with insane power. It offers the Hornet SUV, but no one is buying it because it's too expensive. 

If the automaker handled the Dodge Neon properly, it could create something that brought the same power as the 2005 SRT-4 model but with more modern features. Sadly, Dodge probably won't bring back the Neon.