2014 Dodge Dart SE

The 2014 Dart is Dodge's compact sedan, sized to take on the Civic and Corolla but with a sportier look that some say resembles a mini-Charger. It's a willing little handler, and with the right tires it grips nicely on back roads, though the base engine feels a bit lazy under hard acceleration. The ride is quiet and composed on the highway, making it a pleasant road-trip companion, but rear legroom is tight for a car that claims to seat five. Some owners have dealt with glitches like a faulty oil pressure sensor or a touchscreen that needed replacement, so it's worth checking those systems on a used example. The SE is the base Dart, so you skip the SXT's upgraded interior trim and power-locks, but you save about two grand. Its 2.0L I4 makes 160 horsepower, and the standard six-speed manual is a honest manual that makes the most of it, returning 29 mpg combined. The SE does without the GT's sport suspension, which means a softer ride over bumps but less body control in corners.