Canadians won't have any trouble figuring out the Dodge SX 2.0 however, even though the brand currently stands more for tough trucks than economy cars in the nation's general mindset. If its sexy young 'Buzz Crew' won't do the trick, a trendy gang of young PR reps currently touring nightclubs and 20-something hotspots and handing out T-shirts and key fobs while signing up potential customers for the chance to win a new SX, or if its campy TV ads with animated toes singing Patrick Hernandez' 70s disco hit Born to Be Alive doesn't get the target market's collective attention, print advertising boldly displaying its base $14,995 price and $255 per month payment should definitely have all eyes popping.
That makes the SX $3,510 more affordable than last year's Chrysler Neon, while offering more standard equipment than any competitor that even comes remotely close in price. Off the rack the SX 2.0 gets a 132-hp, 16-valve, 2.0-L 4-cylinder engine, power steering and brakes, a fully-independent suspension, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio, a tilt steering column, fog lamps, key actuated engine immobilizer and a chrome embellished mini-Viper crosshair grille.
The front end looks great, emitting more of the impish personality that made the original Neon a hit. Alongside the new grille redesigned oval headlamp clusters meld smoothly into the front fenders while an integrated lower valance incorporates three openings, the outer two housing the standard fog lights. The rear fascia and taillights have been updated too, but the execution is more subtle. Inside, new seat fabrics in base and Sport models compliment a well designed dash and console. Now a 3-spoke steering wheel adds to the sporty demeanor while a cool body-color insert, similar to the PT Cruiser's, highlights the center stack in Sport and R/T models.