1990-1994 Plymouth Sundance: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1994 Plymouth Sundance and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Acceleration (turbo, V6)
- Antilock brakes (optional)
Cons
- Rear-seat room
- Engine noise
Vehicle Highlights
Built on the same subcompact platform as its twin, the Dodge Shadow, this front drive first arrived in 1987 as a sporty 4-door hatchback, followed shortly by a 2-door hatchback. The base engine for the Sundance was a 93-horsepower, 2.2-liter 4 cylinder. By 1988, a new 100-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine became optional. Also optional was a 150-horsepower, turbocharged version of the larger 4-cylinder. Standard transmission on all three was a 5-speed manual. Optional for the three engines was a 3-speed automatic. New for 1990 was a standard driver-side airbag.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Plymouth Sundance 4-cylinder Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 43 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1994 Plymouth Sundance. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1994 Plymouth Sundance.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Plymouth Sundance:
For 1991, Plymouth joins Dodge in offering an entry-level model wearing the "America" label. The America tag was first used on low-priced Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon models when they were being phased out to make room for the new Shadow/Sundance models. The new arrival produces three Sundance models; the America, Highline, and RS. The Sundance America comes only with the 93-horsepower base engine and has an uncarpeted trunk. Only the RS model can be equipped with the optional turbocharged engine, modified for 1991 to produce 210 pound-feet of torque, 30 more than last year.
1992 Plymouth Sundance:
The high-end RS model is dropped and the price-leader Sundance America returns virtually unchanged for its sophomore season. Also, the Sundance Highline model gets new body colored bumpers and matching front and rear fascias.
1993 Plymouth Sundance:
The big news is the arrival of antilock brakes as a new option for all versions of this front-drive subcompact. In place of the America model is a better-equipped base model and a new sporty version called the Duster. Under its hood is a 141-horsepower 3.0-liter V6.
1994 Plymouth Sundance:
Sundance models are gradually phased out during 1994, with the January arrival of the new Neon model. A new feature added for the final year of production is a motorized passenger shoulder belt.
Our road test for the 1990-1994 Plymouth Sundance includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1994 Plymouth Sundance and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1994 Plymouth Sundance is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Base models with the 2.2-liter engine are faster than most economy cars--though the engine tends to be on the noisy and rough side. The 2.5-liter version is smoother and more responsive, though it isn't quite as fuel efficient and not much quieter. Most raucous of the engine trio, as expected, is the turbo four. Dusters with V6 power have lively acceleration and, with wider tires and firmer suspension, make for a competent sporty package. Even the moderately firm base suspension delivers good cornering and grip, though it feels a bit harsh on bumpy roads. Tall people won't complain about room in the front seats, but 6-footers are advised to avoid the rear seats, where both leg and head room are skimpy. Luggage space is adequate with the rear seatback up and generous when folded forward.
Value for the Money
While not overly refined, Sundance is a low-cost vehicle that doesn't shout "economy car" when you open the door. It simply doesn't feel as puny and lightweight as other entry-level offerings, and has the added safety of an airbag.
While not overly refined, Sundance is a low-cost vehicle that doesn't shout "economy car" when you open the door. It simply doesn't feel as puny and lightweight as other entry-level offerings, and has the added safety of an airbag.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Plymouth Sundance 4-cylinder Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 43 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Plymouth Sundance includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Plymouth Sundance .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Air conditioner:
If the air conditioner gradually stops cooling and/or the air flow from the vents decreases, the computer (PCM) may not be sending a signal to the compressor-clutch relay to cycle off, which causes the A/C evaporator to freeze up. (1991-94)
Alternator belt:
Deep snow could knock the serpentine belt off the pulleys of a 3.0-liter engine. Installing a shield should prevent the problem. (1991-94)
Automatic transmission:
Bad seals in the transmission lead to premature friction-component wear, which causes shudder when starting from a stop, a bump when coasting to a stop, and slipping between gears. (1993-94)
Automatic transmission:
If the transmission shudders under light to moderate acceleration, the transmission front pump could be leaking due to a worn bushing. (1990-94)
Engine mounts:
The motor mount on the left side of the engine tends to break. (1992-93)
Oil consumption and exhaust smoke:
High oil consumption and smoke from the exhaust at idle and deceleration on 3.0-liter engines is caused by exhaust-valve guides that slide out of the heads. (1992-93)
Rough idle:
2.2- or 2.5-liter engines may idle rough or stumble when first started below freezing temperatures unless a revised intake manifold (with an "X" cast into the No. 1 runner) was installed (1992) or a revised computer (PCM) was installed (1992-93) or the computer was reprogrammed (1994).
Transaxle leak:
41TE or 42LE automatic transaxles could take several seconds to engage at startup because of a problem with the valve body. (1993-94)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $450 |
| Alternator | $280 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $675 |
| Brakes | $250 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $625 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $445 |
| Exhaust System | $230 |
| Radiator | $335 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $330 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $150 |
Our price chart for this generation Plymouth Sundance details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1994 | |||
| Sundance | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| 1993 | |||
| Sundance | $1,200-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
| 1992 | |||
| Sundance | $1,100-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1991 | |||
| Sundance | $1,000-1,400 | $600-800 | $100 |
| 1990 | |||
| Sundance | $0 | $0 | $0 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Plymouth Sundance include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door hatchback | 4-door hatchback |
| Wheelbase, in. | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| Overall Length, in. | 171.9 | 171.9 |
| Overall Width, in. | 67.3 | 67.3 |
| Overall Height, in. | 53.1 | 53.1 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2608 | 2643 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 33.3 | 33.3 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.3 | 38.3 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.5 | 41.5 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.4 | 37.4 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 34.0 | 34.0 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
The base engine for the Sundance is a 93-horsepower, 2.2-liter 4-cylinder. It provides 121 pound-feet of torque at 3200 rpm. A new 2.5-liter engine became optional in 1988, providing 100 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 135 pound-feet at 2800 rpm. Through 1992, another optional engine was a turbocharged version of the larger 4-cylinder. It delivered 150 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 185 pound-feet of torque at 3600 rpm, until an upgrade for 1991 provided 152 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque at 2400 rpm. Standard transmission for all three engines is a 5-speed manual. Optional for the three engines is a 3-speed automatic. For 1993, a 3.0-liter V6 joins the powertrain lineup to power the new Duster sporty model. It provides 141 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 171 pound-feet at 2400 rpm.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| Turbocharged ohc I4 | 2.5 / 153 | 150-152 | 180-210 | 5-speed manual: 18/20 3-speed automatic: 19/23 |
5-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc I4 | 2.2 / 135 | 93 | 122 | 5-speed manual: 27/32 3-speed automatic: 23/29 |
5-speed manual: 21.5 3-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc I4 | 2.5 / 153 | 100 | 135 | 5-speed manual: 25/32 3-speed automatic: 23/28 |
5-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc V6 | 3.0 / 181 | 141 | 171 | 5-speed manual: 19/28 4-speed automatic: 21/29 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 22.4 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Mexico, USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Plymouth Sundance include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1993 Sundance |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
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%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1994 Plymouth Sundance directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990:
Engine valve-cover gasket may dislocate and allow oil to leak.
1991:
Front disc-brake-caliper guide-pin bolts may not be adequately tightened and could loosen.
1991-92:
Lower seatback bolt on driver's seat can fail and separate.
1991-92:
Steering-wheel mounting armature can develop cracks and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column; can result in loss of vehicle control.
1992:
Zinc plating of some upper steering-column shaft-coupling bolts caused hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt.
1993-94 2-door:
Bolt that attaches recliner mechanism to driver's seatback on certain cars could break; may result in seatback suddenly reclining.
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