Dodge Neon R/T: A Budget Performance Standout

The February 1999 Car and Driver feature on the Dodge Neon R/T captured exactly why these cars still matter to enthusiasts. Rather than treating the R/T like just another compact sedan, the article highlighted its mix of affordability, comfort, and real weekend performance.

With its 2.0-liter DOHC engine, sport-tuned suspension, and balanced handling, the Neon R/T showed that fun didn’t have to come with a high price tag. It was a car you could drive every day and still enjoy at an autocross or back-road run.

What makes the article worth revisiting today is how clearly it reflects the Neon’s original appeal: simple, lightweight, practical, and surprisingly capable. For Neon enthusiasts, it remains a great reminder that the R/T was one of the most enjoyable budget sport compacts of its era.