Add

Car of the Year for 2001: The Dodge Neon

There have been several award-winning cars from Dodge over the years, including the Dodge Neon of 2001. There are five trim levels to the Neon, including ACR, Base, ES, SE, and R/T. The R/T version is one of the more popular options, outselling other configurations. Like in 2000 the popular 2.0 liter has made this a popular choice for sedan buyers nationwide.

2001 Dodge Neon R/T Specs

The restyled Neon R/T is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that utilizes 16 valves. The engine is mated to a Chrysler five-speed transaxle. This has resulted in an increase in horsepower and torque over the 2000 version.

The fuel system for the 2001 Neon is a SFI design, using gasoline fuel. The fuel flow is controlled by a electronic system and is a fuel-injected MFI design. The fuel capacity of the fuel tank is 12.50 gallons.

Steering control is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The Neon comes equipped with power-assisted brakes, with Non-ABS support. The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are disc. The car uses coil front springs and coil in the rear.

Statistics

The Neon is 174.40 inches long, 67.40 inches wide, and 56.00 inches high. It has a wheelbase of 105.00 inches. It is able to seat 5 comfortably.

The original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $12,715 when new, with a dealer invoice cost of $11,931. This price was in line with the industry average price for a 4-door Sedan.

The standard warranty period for the Neon is 36 months, or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. There is also a warranty on the powertrain for 36 months or 36,000 miles respectively. This is standard in the sedan market.

Fuel Efficiency

The Neon R/T received a miles-per-gallon rating of 24 - 27 in-city driving and 31 - 33 when it came to highway driving. Being a gas-powered non-hybrid car, this was within normal parameters.

Parting Shots

There are several reasons why the Dodge Neon R/T sold well in 2001. Mainly the increase in availability and a marked improvement in quality meant the buying public was more apt to choose a Dodge, specifically a Neon.