A basic tenet applies to subcompact and compact cars: They are designed to provide

economical transportation and hold the frills. What you get in return for minimal

dollars is an engine, four wheels, seats and a roof overhead. Refinement, luxury

touches and driving pleasure cost money, more than most manufacturers competing in

this particular market think they can persuade you to spend.?

That doesn't mean these little machines are deficient. They meet the same safety

and antipollution standards as larger cars do, they're generally well-built, and get

the job of moving passengers between points A and B done effectively. What they don't

offer, however, is much in the way of personality.

Except, that is, for the Dodge and Plymouth Neon. If any cars among the

entry-level crowd deserve to be called "cute," the Neon twins are the likeliest

candidates. They are fresh, perky and distinctive. But their appeal goes beyond looks;

they are genuinely fun to drive and are spirited performers, arguably the best in this

class.

If that doesn't appeal to you, there are plenty of other choices. Look at the

freshly redesigned Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer, Geo Metro, Toyota Tercel, Nissan

Sentra, Hyundai Accent or Elantra, Mazda Protege, Chevy Cavalier, Pontiac Sunbird or

any one of a number of others. Each of them is stingy with fuel and provides low-cost

transportation, adequate (or better) interior room, and performance that's acceptable

at the very least. Lots of choices here.

Nevertheless, the Neon can compete with any of these worthies in terms of

practicality, but adds its own distinct flavor to the field. On that basis alone, it's

worth looking at.

You won't confuse the Neon with any of its rivals. It combines Chrysler's

cab-forward design philosophy with a wheels-at-the-corners stance that minimizes front

and rear overhang. The latter confers several real benefits in the areas of

maneuverability and stability, as well as making Neon a standout among its

shrunken-big-car competitors.

Neon's profile is chunky and has a pronounced wedge shape. Aerodynamics are good,

though any reduction in wind noise from the slippery form is masked by other factors

we'll get to shortly. The high roof and generous glass area deliver ample headroom and

superb visibility. Access through the large doors is good, too; the rear doors are

wider than the class norm.

In front, the Neon follows its own design path by substituting oval headlights for

the more universal rounded rectangular units. The nose is rounded and smooth; Sport

versions add a bulge to the hood to cover a taller engine. Out back, large taillights

flank a large deck lid that provides easy access to a good-sized trunk.

Three trim levels and two body styles make up the Neon lineup. The coupes and

4-door sedans are available in Base, Highline and Sport form, starting at $9495 for

the coupe, $9995 for the sedan. Differences between Dodge and Plymouth versions are

confined to the badge on the hood; other than that, a Neon's a Neon. It gets down to

which brand happens to have a dealer nearby.

Our Neon Sport sedan tester, which had a base price of $12,700, wore a Dodge

emblem.

Judged by appearance, the Neon's interior seems to promise a roomy, airy

environment. Within limits-this is still a small car-it does, and it's better than

most cars in its class in this respect. Thanks to cab forward design, most of the

space between wheels is given over to passengers, who will find adequate room both

front and rear.

Further impressions will vary depending on the particular model. Base versions are

rather plain, offering seats more durable than comfortable and acres of plain cloth

and vinyl trim. The Highline and Sport models are better, with more supportive (and

more attractive) front seats and a 60-40 folding rear seat back, all dressed in

improved materials.

The dashboard is attractive in all models. Controls are large, simple and are laid

out for easy reach, and the instruments are large and legible, if minimal. Our Neon

Sport added a tachometer to the speedometer, fuel gauge and coolant temperature of the

Base model.

Given its modest price, you wouldn't expect a Base Neon to offer much more than

minimal equipment. It doesn't. Even a radio is extra; so are a second outside rearview

mirror and air conditioning, both considered essential by many buyers. But adding them

won't break the bank.

Highline and Sport are not only better-equipped to begin with--both have dual

mirrors and radios, as well as higher-quality interior trim--but give the Neon customer

greater access to options. If your dream Neon has a sunroof, power windows, mirrors

and door locks, colorful "Flash Decor" upholstery and/or a remote keyless entry

system, it won't be a Base model.

Some Highline options are standard Sport fitments, including a tilt steering

wheel, tachometer, a more versatile center console that adds storage space and a

padded armrest to the standard coin tray and cupholders, and a passenger's-side

sunvisor.

A pair of option packages are available to tailor the Neon to individual tastes

and needs: The -Expresso+ package adds air conditioning and specific trim and graphics

to the Base model while keeping the price below the $12,000 mark.

And a Competition Group --including a different final-drive ratio in the manual

transaxle, uprated suspension, faster-ratio steering, aluminum wheels, 4-wheel disc

brakes and an engine computer that does away with the standard 7200-rpm engine rev

limiter--leaves the Base model only a roll cage away from being a successful racing

car.

Incidentally, if you're so inclined, Chrysler has a very good support program for

Neon racers. It's a great way to get started in recreational racing, and if you work

your way up to the winner's circle, Chrysler's award program will pay enough to cover

the costs of a weekend's competition.

In a car that has all the mass of a styrofoam cup, the 132 hp of the standard Neon

engine can't help but deliver impressive performance. This is a small car that has a

long stride and squeezes every inch from a gallon of fuel.

Surprisingly, the optional 150-hp powerplant in our test car was equally

economical while delivering a noticeably stronger punch. The 5-speed manual

transmission that comes standard with either engine should be considered mandatory;

the optional 3-speed automatic is a cheerless device that doesn't suit these small

engines.

The manual transmission, for its part, is well matched to the engine's power

characteristics. However, the shifting in our test car wasn't as precise as some other

manual transmissions provided in this class, a trait we've noticed in other Neons.

Handling ranges from good (Base) to excellent (Sport) to superb (Competition

Package). However, ride quality is degraded by each of the stiffer suspensions. We

found our Sport acceptable in day-to-day use, the firmer ride being offset by a

higher fun-to-drive quotient.

The competition package, intended primarily for buyers who want to take their

Neons to a race track, is a little too harsh for everyday use.

Steering is excellent at all three levels. The standard brakes are good, but the

4-wheel disc option (with ABS except in the Competition Package) is far better.

But the Neon has one drawback in any form: noise. Even with the extra sound

insulation added for 1996, both engines are below class standards for noise and

smoothness. It takes a very gentle right foot to keep the buzzes and rasps at bay, and

that means slow travel, as both powerplants thrive on high rpm.

Literally hundreds of detail improvements have been made to the Neon since it was

introduced in early 1994. It was a good car then, and is a better car now. None of

these changes have diluted the car's character; it is still the rising star of the

small-car class.

That doesn't mean it's the best small car on the market. Others are quieter,

smoother, and show greater attention paid to fit and finish. Some are more economical,

too.

But for performance, handling and head-of-the-pack looks, Neon zips right to the

head of the class. If those are factors that loom large on your wish list, a trip to

your local Dodge or Plymouth dealer is definitely in order.