2000 CHRYSLER NEON LX The Neon is a vehicle transformed, in many ways. It is longer and wider than before. It is no longer sold by Dodge and Plymouth, only by Chrysler. It is available only as a sedan; the coupe is no more. The 150-h.p. engine has disappeared from the options list. And the door windows now have a frame. Interior and trunk Most people can easily get in and out of the front seats but the short of stature may be bothered by the sharply inclined “A” pillar and the pointy door frame. The nicely firmed front seats are very comfortable though the head restraints are angled too far forward for some people. Access to the rear seats is relatively good. The bench offers good seating at the outboard positions, but there is an uncomfortable hump in the middle. Head room is adequate for all but tall individuals, and with its slightly longer wheelbase, the Neon also offers more rear-seat leg room. The roomy trunk has a small opening that limits the size of things that can be placed inside, and a high liftover. The latch ring juts up from the sill and can scrape objects as they are being loaded. The trunk lid does not have a remote release mechanism. Safety and convenience The passenger cell is quieter than before, and overall finish is much improved. However, the Neon is still noisy during moderate to heavy acceleration and on rough pavement. Wind noise, too, is often an annoyance. Like most Chrysler products, the Neon is plagued by dashboard reflections in the windshield that are worse on sunny days. Chrysler is adept at good interior design and once again, the Neon has plenty of practical storage spaces and cup holders. However, the radio is placed low and under the vent controls, and only the front doors have power window controls. Safetywise the Neon gets dual air bags, four adjustable head restraints (too low, however, to protect tall people adequately), bright headlights and optional four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. The rear-view mirror creates a big blind zone for tall drivers. Engine and transmission Though not what you’d call smooth, the engine develops good power and interesting torque, but perhaps because of the automatic transmission, barely adequate standing and passing acceleration. The engine is noisy at highway speeds and in moderate and heavy acceleration. The automatic transmission has been a subject of controversy ever since the new Neon arrived on the market. Obviously, a car in this price range should have a four-speed automatic. In ordinary, everyday driving, the transmission shifts very smoothly. You have to tramp the accelerator often, however, and when you do, the transmission shifts abruptly, especially if it has to downshift sharply. It is interesting to note that at 100 km/h, engine speed is similar to that of many other cars – 2,500 rpm – so in this respect, the transmission is well geared. On the road The suspension is on the firm side and provides a very smooth ride on good pavement. However, bumps and potholes make their presence felt, sometimes rather unpleasantly. The Neon has a firm, stable grip in corners and feels relatively solid, more solid, in fact, than several other Chrysler products. Steering is well tuned, direct and relatively quick, but with little road feel. The brakes are powerful and fade-resistant. An inspection at the CAA-Quebec test centre showed that the Neon is generally well built though a number of problems persist, including brake discs that do not have a backing plate, and on the underside, joints that are improperly sealed or not sealed at all, and unprotected wiring. Conclusion Compared to its predecessors, the new, improved Neon is better balanced, better built, more comfortable, quieter and roomier. Unfortunately for Chrysler, the Neon will have to compete against other vehicles with a higher level of quality, refinement and standard equipment, selling for the same amount—and sometimes less. FOR AGAINST Comfortable seats Dashboard reflections Roadability Radio too low Roomy Small trunk opening Roomy trunk Perfectible automatic transmission Pleasant steering Noise insulation Vehicle improvements High price 2000 CHRYSLER NEON Engine: 16-valve, 2.0-litre, 4 cyl. Horsepower: 132 h.p. @ 5,600 rpm Torque: 130 lb.-ft.@ 4,600 rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual; 3-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: front disc/rear drum (ABS with 4- wheel disc) Length: 443 cm Width: 171.2 cm Height: 142.2 cm Wheelbase: 266.7 cm Weight: 1,163 kg Tires: P185/65R14; P185/60R15 Towing capacity: 680 kg (manual); Air bags: standard dual 544 kg (automatic) Fuel consumption: − Transport Canada rating: city: 9.5 L/100 km (30 mpg); highway: 7 L/100 km (40 mpg) − Test result: 10 L/100 (28 mpg) Fuel tank capacity: 47 litres Acceleration: 0-100 km/h : 11.2 seconds 60-100 km/h : 8.2 seconds Competition: Chevrolet Cavalier, Daewoo Nubira, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Kia Sephia, Mazda Protegé, Nissan Sentra, Pontiac Sunfire, Saturn SL, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Golf Maintenance (amount may vary from dealer to dealer): Frequency: 3months/5,000 km; total cost to 100,000 km: $2,025 Warranty: − Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km − Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km − Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km − Perforation damage: 5 years/160,000 km − Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module) Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $456 Front brake disk: $43 Brake pads: $170 Muffler: $220 Front fender: $160 Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, female driver or male driver 30 to 40 years old): $549 to $792 Price according to trim line: LE: $17,995 LX: $19,905 Main options: Auto. transmission: $670 Option package: $1,910 ABS: $1,130 (LE); $1,020 (LX) Price as tested: $20,575 Freight and preparation: $675 Dealers: Quebec: 157 Canada: 595 CAA-Quebec, September 1999.