2005 Dodge Neon
Summary
Dodge Neon is a practical, inexpensive car with a roomy interior. Neon's
suspension nicely balances ride quality and handling agility. Its relatively
long suspension travel and high ground clearance help it avoid bottoming out on
bad roads.
Full 2005 Review
The 2005 Dodge Neon SXT comes loaded with popular features and a retail price
of just $15,925 (plus big cash incentives that can lower the final price). The
SXT is available with a sporty front fascia, rear spoiler, fancy wheels and
other exterior features.
Car enthusiasts gravitate to the Neon SRT-4, which boasts a 230-horsepower
turbocharged engine, sports suspension, heavy-duty gearbox, four-wheel anti-lock
disc brakes, and 17-inch performance tires.
2005 Trims and Styling
The 2005 Dodge Neon lineup has been streamlined. Three models are available:
the basic SE, the sensibly equipped SXT, and the high-performance SRT-4. All
Neons are four-door sedans with four-cylinder engines and front-wheel drive.
SE ($13,615) is the base Neon, and it is basic, with wind-up windows, manual
door locks, and 14-inch steel wheels. Air conditioning costs extra ($1,000).
Mirrors and body-side moldings are black. Options: AM/FM/CD stereo with six
speakers ($175), cruise control ($250).
SXT ($15,925) adds air conditioning, AM/FM/CD with six speakers, power front
windows, power door locks (with speed-sensitive automatic locking), keyless
remote, power mirrors, power trunk lid release, tachometer, map lights, 15-inch
aluminum wheels, and body-color door handles and bodyside molding.
SXT and SE come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 132
horsepower. Power rack-and-pinion steering is standard on both models. Antilock
four-wheel disc brakes (ABS) are optional $695) and come with electronic brake
proportioning (EBD). SRT-4 ($20,650) comes with a turbocharged 2.4-liter
dual-overhead cam inline-4 rated at 230 horsepower. SRT-4 also features a
heavy-duty five-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, 17-inch
aluminum wheels with 50-series ultra-high performance three-season tires,
high-performance suspension, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Viper-inspired
sport seats, plus special trim inside and out, including bright pedal pads.
SRT-4 is available only with manual transmission.
The Kicker audio package ($795) for SXT and SRT-4 consists of a 208-watt
Kicker amplifier, eight speakers, sub-woofer, and six-disc CD changer.
Safety features: Seat-mounted side-impact air bags are optional ($390) on all
Neons; we strongly recommend them. Three-point seat belts are provided for all
three rear-seat positions. The LATCH child safety-seat anchor system, an
emergency inside release for the trunk lid, and child-protection door locks are
standard on all 2005 Dodge Neons.
Dodge Neon is distinguished from other small cars by its cab-forward profile,
arched roofline, and ovoid headlamps. Redesigned front and rear fascias,
exterior door handles, bodyside moldings and other detail work freshened the
Neon for 2003, and its appearance hasn't changed since then.
Neon's long wheelbase and wide track contribute to its roomy interior, smooth
ride quality and high-speed stability. Dodge has made some effort this year to
distance the high-performance SRT-4 from other Neons. Some factory literature
even calls it the "Dodge SRT-4," dropping the Neon label entirely. The air
intake in SRT-4's deep front fascia/bumper/air dam looks like an inverted
version of the standard Neon grille, with two square air openings occupying the
space above where the grille would otherwise be. Sill-mounted ground effects
give SRT-4 the look of a sport compact. Big tires fill the wheel well openings.
2005 SRT-4s are available in a coppery color called Orange Blast.
Interior Features
The Neon boasts a roomy cabin. The Neon's front seating area has lots of hip
room and legroom. Compared to the Honda Civic, Neon has more front seat hip
room, comparable legroom, and less headroom.
The SXT's seats are quite comfortable, cushy and supportive. The body-color
bezels that come with the Sport Appearance and SRT Design packages add a racy
accent to the SXT. The standard stereo sounded mediocre. Back-seat riders
benefit from the Neon's big interior. Neon's trunk is reasonably large, at 13.1
cubic feet, but about average for the class. The rear seat splits 60/40 and
folds down for carrying additional cargo.
SRT-4 comes with special interior trim, including a satin-silver center
stack, shift knob and door handles. SRT-4 seats are modeled after those in the
Dodge Viper with enhanced lumbar and lateral sections for better support when
cornering. Agate-colored cloth is designed to grip the driver.
First Drive '05 Neon
The Dodge Neon offers sporty handling and good acceleration performance,
though it isn't the most refined car in its class.
Neon's standard single-overhead-cam 2.0-liter engine delivers decent power.
Step on the gas while cruising at 3000 rpm and the Neon slowly gathers speed.
The suspension nicely balances ride quality and handling agility, making the
Neon fun to drive on winding roads but pleasant when cruising around. The Neon
responds well in emergency lane-change maneuvers. Soft springs and premium
shocks are tuned to enhance the Neon's ride quality. The front disc/rear drum
brakes that come standard on the Neon stop the car quickly and are stable under
hard use. Whether the roads are slippery or dry, the antilock brake system helps
drivers maintain steering control in panic braking situations. And disc brakes
are less likely to fade on mountain roads than are the standard rear drum
brakes.
The SRT-4 delivers serious sport compact performance. The SRT-4 was developed
with input from Dodge engineers who spend their weekends racing at Sports Car
Club of America events. Last year, Dodge recalibrated the SRT-4's engine control
module and specified larger, higher-flow fuel injectors, not only for more
horsepower and torque but also for a broader torque band. Neon SRT-4 can
accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. Disc brakes with ABS and
electronic brake distribution (EBD) are standard on SRT-4.
2005 Dodge Neon Conclusions
Dodge Neon is roomy and comfortable, though it isn't at the top of the class
in refinement. For another perspective on the Dodge Neon, visit
Edmunds.com. The well-equipped SXT offers a strong value, while the racy
SRT-4 delivers some of the best performance in its class.