The Dodge Dart may be just a year old, but the automaker is already tinkering with the 2014 Dart lineup. Dodge has relegated the 2.0-liter I-4 to base-engine duty, the 1.4-liter turbocharged I-4 to the 2014 Dart Aero, and made the 2.4-liter I-4 available on the other three trims. With the engine changes comes a price change, with the 2014 Dart keeping its $16,990 base price, but the 2014 Dart Limited moving up-market with a $23,990 price, including destination.

As we're sure Dodge now understands, there's a limit to how much you can downsize an engine before it winds up working harder than a larger engine asked to do the same work. That's the problem we had with the Dart's 160-hp 1.4-liter turbocharged I-4 during our compact sedan Big Test, where despite its 27/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined EPA rating, it only returned 19.5 mpg in our evaluation loops. For 2014, that 1.4-liter turbo-4 (which the Dart shares with the Fiat 500 Abarth) is limited to the efficiency-minded Dart Aero, where thanks to aerodynamic modifications, it netted 27/40/32 mpg with a six-speed manual as a 2013 model, and 28/41/32 mpg with the six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 2014 Dart Aero gets a $600 price increase to $20,990.

The 1.4-liter turbo-4 isn't the only engine seeing limited-use in 2014 - the 160-hp and 148 lb-ft of torque 2.0-liter I-4 that was previously standard on all models but the Aero and GT is now only available on the base 2014 Dart SE, which starts at $16,990 - the same price as last year. That's just as well, considering how dreadfully slow it was in our testing.

Filling the 2.0-liter and turbocharged 1.4-liter's role as the main attraction in the Dart lineup is the 2.4-liter I-4. Previously exclusive to the Dart GT, the 2.4-liter I-4 makes 184 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque, and can be paired with a six-speed manual, or a six-speed automatic. The new volume engine is rated at 23/33/27 mpg with the manual and 21/30/24 mpg with the auto. According to Dodge, the 2.4-liter I-4 will achieve a higher EPA rating in the Dart SXT and Limited, due to unique engine and transmission tuning, low-rolling resistance tires, and reduced vehicle weight.

Though pricing for the 2014 Dart GT stays steady at $21,990, the new engine leapfrogs the Dart Limited to the top of the lineup, with its $23,990 price $3000 dearer than last year, thanks to the new engine and additional standard features including Nappa leather, the six-speed automatic, LED taillights, hands-free keyless entry, heated front seats and steering wheel, power sunroof, and navigation on an 8.4-inch touch screen..

Those aren't the only changes Dodge has in store for the 2014 Dart: the Dart Rallye becomes an option package on the Dart SXT (which inherits its blacked-out front fascia), and includes a touring suspension, a rear stabilizer bar, 17-inch black wheels, and some new interior trim. Dodge expects the 2014 Dart to hit dealers by the fourth quarter of this year.

Source: Dodge