Car of the Year for 2001: The Dodge Neon ES

In 2001 Dodge released the Neon ES to the car-buying market. The Neon came in five configurations: ACR, Base, ES, SE, and R/T. The ES configuration is powered by the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 31 - 33 highway miles and 24 - 27 city. The Neon competes in the Sedan market segment, in direct competition with Honda.

Engine Performance

The restyled Neon ES is equipped with a Chrysler 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that utilizes a total of 16 valves. The engine is paired with a Chrysler 5-speed transaxle. This configuration has proven to be a successful design for Dodge.

Steering control is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The Neon has 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.

Neon ES 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.

Fuel Efficiency

The 2001 Neon's normal fuel system runs on gas. The fuel is regulated electronically, with a fuel-injected multi-port fuel injection (MFI) style of design. The fuel tank holds 12.50 gallons.

The 2001 Neon gets 31 - 33 miles/gallon on the highway and only 24 - 27 in the city. This is average for a sedan car.

Conclusion

The 2000 model began the promise of the Dodge Neon. The 2001 expanded on this success and has proven to be a strong seller in most markets. Even with strong competition from other manufacturers Dodge hopes that the Neon ES will continue to be a profitable vehicle.