--- title: "Best Motoring Once Track-Tested a Dodge Neon Against JDM Sedans, and It Dominated" description: "The [Dodge]() Neon was a car with two faces. One was that of an econobox, with a chintzy interior, poor overall build quality, and [frightening safety ratings](). However, the other was that of a performance bargain. While it wasn't universally…" date: "2024-09-19" modified: "2024-09-19" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/best-motoring-once-track-tested-a-dodge-neon-against-jdm-sedans-and-it-dominated" categories: - "Culture" - "Dodge News" - "History" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "compact" - "dodge" - "neon" - "sedan" --- # Best Motoring Once Track-Tested a Dodge Neon Against JDM Sedans, and It Dominated ![Chrysler Neon, Nissan Sunny, and Honda Accord race at Tsukuba in a screenshot of a Best Motoring episode.]() *\Best MOTORing Official via YouTube\* The [Dodge]() Neon was a car with two faces. One was that of an econobox, with a chintzy interior, poor overall build quality, and [frightening safety ratings](). However, the other was that of a performance bargain. While it wasn't universally beloved in America, the Neon received some favorable reviews in other markets, such as Japan. In 1994, Japan's *Best Motoring* took the then-new Neon, Honda Accord EX, and Nissan Sunny 1500 Super Saloon to Tsukuba to compare their performance—and the American tourist smoked the local competition. We aren't talking about a Neon ACR or even an [SRT-4](). This was a regular old [Dodge Neon](), with a two-liter, 132-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a three-speed automatic transmission. There was nothing special about the Neon *Best Motoring* tested and, yet, out on the track it left the Accord and Sunny far in its rearview mirror. At one point, it seemed like the Neon driver was toying with the others, as he was so far ahead that he started swerving back and forth in a taunting manner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMDHViAUlJs During a very unscientific practicality test, the Neon was just about as spacious inside as the Accord, too. So here was a sedan that offered interior comfort and trunk space on par with its contemporaries, but a more engaging driving experience. It held plenty of promise, as [a June 1996 *Bloomberg* article]() on the car's start of sales in Japan explains. Yet it struggled in the country, perhaps due to its classification as a larger vehicle than its rivals, prompting owners to pay higher road taxes. By December '96, after five months on the market, Chrysler had shifted only 900 Neons in Japan [per ]()*[Chicago Tribune]()*, and enthusiasm waned in kind. Still, Chrysler delivered a rocket among sensible sedans. Despite poor international sales and a lack of longevity even here in the States, the Neon has been [gaining]() [recognition]() since its demise as cheap and simple transportation that's fun to drive, as well as easy and inexpensive to fix. Would those same drivers be better off with a Honda Accord of similar vintage? Probably. But, hey—the Neon is faster. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()