What was the last Dodge Dart?
The last Dodge Dart produced was the 2016 model year, with production ending in late 2016 and no subsequent Dart models released. This marked the retirement of the Dart nameplate after a four-model-year run in North America.
The modern Dodge Dart arrived in 2013 as a compact sedan built on a European-inspired platform and offered engines such as a turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir and a 2.4-liter Tigershark. Sales proved uncertain in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs and crossovers, and FCA ultimately discontinued the Dart after the 2016 model year. The final Darts were manufactured in 2016, closing a chapter for Dodge’s small-car lineup.
A brief history of the Dodge Dart
While the Dodge Dart name has a longer legacy dating back to the 1960s, the modern Dart referred to here ran from 2013 through 2016. It was designed to offer affordable efficiency in a compact sedan, leveraging a front-wheel-drive layout and a platform tied to Fiat/Alfa Romeo engineering. The era ended with the 2016 model year.
What defined the modern Dart era
The 2013-2016 Dart represented a shift for Dodge toward a contemporary compact sedan, incorporating updated design language, modern technology, and engine options that included turbocharged and non-turbo variants. Despite these features, strong sales growth proved elusive in a market favoring smaller crossovers, leading to the Dart's discontinuation after 2016.
Timeline of the final Dart era
Key milestones in the final era of the Dodge Dart are summarized below.
- 2013 model year: Dodge reintroduces the Dart as a modern compact sedan, built on a shared platform with Fiat/Alfa Romeo, targeting the North American small-car segment.
- 2016 model year: Dodge ends production of the Dart; the 2016 Dart becomes the last model year, and FCA confirms the discontinuation of the Dart nameplate.
The final era of the Dart lasted four model years (2013–2016). The decision to end production reflected market trends and FCA’s broader restructuring efforts, shelving the Dart as Dodge shifted focus toward SUVs and trucks.
Summary
The Dodge Dart’s final chapter closed with the 2016 model year. Introduced in 2013 as a modern compact sedan, it offered turbo and non-turbo options but failed to gain lasting momentum in a changing market. Since 2016, there has been no new Dodge Dart, and the nameplate remains retired as the brand emphasizes its SUV and truck lineup. The last Dart thus marks the end of a notable attempt to revive a classic Dodge compact in the 2010s.
