1990-1992 Dodge Colt: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
Reviews & Ratings
Pricing
Explore
Specifications & Safety
Related to Dodge Colt
Related Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Pros
- Acceleration (dual-cam engine)
- 4WD traction (wagon)
- Fuel economy
- Maneuverability
Cons
- Cargo room (hatchback)
- Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)
- Rear-seat room (hatchback)
Vehicle Highlights
The 4-door body style had disappeared in 1989, as the Dodge/Plymouth Colt duo took on a new Mitsubishi-built 2-door hatchback form: rounder, longer, wider, and taller. Rear leg room and cargo space grew, and three trim levels were available: base, mid-level GL, and GT. Colts were sold in identical form under the Dodge and Plymouth badges. The closely-related Eagle Summit came only in a 4-door body style, while the Mitsubishi Mirage came as both a 2-door and 4-door. Standard engine on base 2-doors was a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, making 81 horsepower, with a 4-speed manual gearbox. Colt Gts got a 113-horsepower, 1.6-liter four with a standard 5-speed. All but the base Colt might have an automatic transmission, either 3- or 4-speed, depending on engine. Carried over largely unchanged from the prior generation, the 4-door Colt DL station wagon could have full-time 4-wheel drive. 4WD wagons carried a bigger, 87-horsepower engine (manual shift only), while 2WD wagons had the same 1.5-liter four as the hatchback--but producing 75 horsepower instead of 81. The permanently engaged 4WD system used a center differential with a viscous coupling to split power between front and rear axles as needed to maintain traction. 4WD wagon bodies were raised about two inches to provide additional ground clearance.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Dodge Colt wagon 1.5-liter auto Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 38 |
Year to Year Changes
Our road test for the 1990-1992 Dodge Colt includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1992 Dodge Colt and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1992 Dodge Colt is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Economical and easy to maneuver, Colts are worth a try. These early '90s Colts ranked as "sleepers" in their class--especially the 4WD wagon.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Dodge Colt wagon 1.5-liter auto Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 38 |
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $725 |
| Alternator | $685 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $790 |
| Brakes | $205 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $440 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $520 |
| Exhaust System | $610 |
| Radiator | $635 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $600 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $165 |
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1992 | |||
| Colt | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
| 1991 | |||
| Colt | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 1990 | |||
| Colt | $0 | $0 | $0 |
|
|
|||
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door hatchback | 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 93.9 | 93.9 |
| Overall Length, in. | 158.7 | 169.3 |
| Overall Width, in. | 65.7 | 64.4 |
| Overall Height, in. | 51.9 | 56.1 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2194 | 2568 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 34.7 | 60.4 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 13.2 | 12.4 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.9 | 40.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.9 | 38.0 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 32.5 | 34.1 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I4 | 1.5 / 90 | 92 | 93 | 4-speed manual: 31/36 5-speed manual: 29/35 3-speed automatic: 28/31 |
4-speed manual: -- 5-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: 23.8 |
| dohc I4 | 1.6 / 97 | 113 | 99 | 5-speed manual: 23/28 4-speed automatic: 23/28 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc I4 | 1.5 / 90 | 75-81 | 87-91 | 4-speed manual: 32/38 3-speed automatic: 27/29 |
4-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: 25.7 |
| ohc I4 | 1.8 / 110 | 87 | 102 | 5-speed manual: 23/28 | 5-speed manual: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1991 Colt |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | -- |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.








