The Dodge Dart received its first real facelift in 1965 with a bolder, flat grille as well as new hood, bumpers, deck and oval taillights. The Dart GT also received a rather handsome half vinyl roof. The base engine was still the 101 bhp slant six, with the 145 bhp 225 cid version an available option. The 180 bhp, 273 cid V-8 was becoming a more popular choice and now had an optional 4-barrel high-compression version good for 235 bhp. Dodge sales increased but so did everybody else’s, so the company slipped from sixth place to seventh in national standings. Even so, the Dart kept on gaining strength.

Base model remained the Dart 170. The mid-level 270 had more luxury items, including carpet, and started at $2,153 for the two-door Sedan. The 270 offered two- and four-door sedans, two-door hardtop, station wagon and convertible. The top-line model was still the Dart GT and 40,700 were sold, divided between two-door hardtops and convertibles.

The 1965 Dodge Dart was pretty basic, but options included an AM radio group, power convertible top cost, tinted glass, and luggage rack and power rear window on station wagons. Air conditioning was still a dealer-installed accessory and automatic transmission could be push button or column shift. Bucket seats and floor shift were optional on the GT.

Dodge offered 19 colors for the 1965 Dart, including Pink Silver, Pale Gold, Yellow, Gold, Black, Light Blue, Medium Blue, Light Turquoise, Medium Turquoise, Dark Turquoise, Pale Mist, Bright Red, Beige, Ivory, Ruby Red, Cordovan, White, Light Tan, and Medium Tan. Seven two-tone colors were available, which were often reversible.