Chrysler joins gas mileage wars with Dodge Dart Aero

Ford and General Motors both have "eco" versions of their smallest cars, models designed to squeeze even more gas savings out of them by using special tires, underbody panels and other tricks. Now Chrysler's Dodge brand will have one, too.

At $20,090, including a $795 destination fee, Dodge Dart Aero will be less expensive than the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Eco ($20,475) and the 2013 Ford Focus SFE ($20,185). But it will cost more than the 2013 Mazda3 with SkyActiv ($19,170).

The new Dart version will slotted between the Dart Rallye ($18,790) and the Dart Limited ($20,790) trims in terms of pricing. Standard equipment includes cruise control, automatic headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, projector headlamps and LED taillamps. Fuel-saving features on the Dart Aero include lightweight aluminum chassis components, active grille shutters, underbody aero kit and low-rolling-resistance tires.

The Aero uses the regular turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir inline-four-cylinder that comes on some SXT, Rallye and Limited trims. It's available with a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-dry-clutch automatic transmission.

The Dart Aero gets 28 miles per gallon in the city, 41 mpg on the highway and 32 mpg combined with a six-speed manual transmission. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will net 28/40 mpg and 32 mpg combined. However, the Aero will only achieve these figures sipping on premium gasoline, which will likely be a detractor for compact-car shoppers. When it comes to boasting, Dart Arrow get about the same fuel economy as Chevrolet Cruze Eco (26/39 mpg), 2013 Ford Focus SFE (28/40 mpg) and the 2013 Mazda3 (28/40 mpg) when all are equipped with an automatic transmission.