What type of Car is a Neon?
The Neon is a compact car produced by Chrysler for the Dodge and Plymouth brands, mainly during the 1990s and early 2000s.
In more detail, the Neon introduced Chrysler’s entry into the small-car segment, emphasizing affordability, practical interior space, and front-wheel-drive efficiency. Over its lifecycle, it spawned branding variations, and a high-performance variant for enthusiasts known as the SRT-4.
Classification and Design
The Neon sits squarely in the compact car class, offering compact exterior dimensions with a focus on everyday usability and fuel economy. It uses a front-wheel-drive layout, which was common for small Chrysler models of its era.
Key facts about its core attributes are summarized below:
- Class: compact car (C-segment in many markets)
- Drivetrain: front-wheel drive (FWD)
- Body styles: primarily sedan configurations, with some markets offering hatchback variants
- Engines: commonly a 2.0-liter inline-4; later 2.4-liter options; the performance-oriented SRT-4 used a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine
- Transmission: typically 5-speed manual or 4- to 5-speed automatic depending on trim
Overall, the Neon was designed to be an affordable, practical small car with a straightforward engineering package and modest power—though a high-performance variant would later broaden its appeal.
Notable Variants
Before listing notable versions, here are the essentials of what distinguished the Neon lineup:
- Dodge Neon was the primary U.S. market version; Plymouth Neon shared the same platform and mechanicals
- In some markets, the Neon name appeared as a global Chrysler-brand badge for small cars
- The high-performance Dodge/Plymouth Neon SRT-4 introduced a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and upgraded suspension for enthusiasts
Concluding: The Neon line spanned practical family transport to a rare, high-performance variant, marking its place in 1990s-2000s American compact-car history.
Production and Market Context
Produced from the mid-1990s into the mid-2000s, the Neon represented Chrysler’s strategy to offer affordable small cars across its Dodge and Plymouth brands. It ultimately gave way to newer small-car platforms as consumer preferences and corporate strategies evolved.
Summary
The Neon is a compact, front-wheel-drive Chrysler small car that appeared under the Dodge and Plymouth banners in the 1990s and early 2000s. It offered practical sedan (and hatch-like) configurations and engine choices ranging from economical four-cylinders to a turbocharged performance variant (SRT-4). While no longer in production, it remains a notable chapter in the history of American compact cars.
What cars are the neon cars in cars?
Boost (purple neon/silver Nissan Silvia (S15) with a custom body kit resembling JGTC cars, voiced by Jonas Rivera), Devon "DJ" Montgomery Johnston III (blue 2004 Scion XB customized as a Japanese sound van/music van, voiced by E.J. Holowicki), Wingo (green and purple 2004 Acura RSX, voiced by Adrian Ochoa), and Snot ...
What kind of car is a neon?
compact car
The Neon is a compact car built from November 1993 until 2005 by the American Chrysler Corporation over two generations.
Why was the Dodge Neon discontinued?
The Dodge Neon was discontinued primarily due to a decline in sales and popularity, compounded by a negative reputation stemming from early reliability and build quality issues. Chrysler also discontinued it as part of a strategy to replace it with a different model, the more SUV-like Caliber, which was introduced as the 2007 model year replacement.
This video explains the history of the Dodge Neon, including its flaws: 1mMarspeedYouTube · Sep 13, 2019
- Declining sales: The Neon's popularity waned over time, leading to its discontinuation after the 2005 model year.
- Reliability and quality reputation: The first generation Neon was plagued with issues like head gasket problems and poor paint quality, which damaged the brand's reputation. While later models improved, the negative perception persisted among consumers.
- Model replacement: Chrysler discontinued the Neon to replace it with the Dodge Caliber, a vehicle with a more SUV-like shape and a hatchback design, which was launched for the 2007 model year.
- Market changes: The market for compact cars evolved, and Dodge shifted its focus to other vehicles, such as the Caliber.
What is a 2000 Dodge Neon worth?
How much is a 2000 Dodge Neon worth? The value of a used 2000 Dodge Neon ranges from $378 to $1,484, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.
