1995-2000 Dodge Stratus: Road Test

Although Stratus has the exterior dimensions of a compact car, it offers the interior room of a midsize model. In fact, there's plenty of leg space fore and aft, and sufficient rear-seat width for three medium-size adults to travel without feeling like sardines. Visibility is great to all angles except the rear. The high rear parcel shelf makes it hard to see out the back window. A large trunk with a flat floor and low liftover gives the Stratus good cargo-carrying ability. The driving position is comfortable, and the dashboard layout logical. The sedan's abundant, airy interior is well-designed; however, some trim pieces on the dashboard and door panels look and feel cheap. Of the several engine choices, we recommend the V6s for their smoother running and livelier acceleration. It's not the quietest engine around, but the 2.5-liter V6 takes off from a standstill with spirit. However, you're likely to experience a long pause before the automatic transmission downshifts for passing. Despite being shy two cylinders, the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder offers nearly as much punch as the V6, though at the expense of some refinement. The 2.0-liter four is noisier and a trifle slower, but gets great mileage with the 5-speed manual. Stratus rides and handles more like a sports sedan than a typical American car. That means more interior noise and road vibrations than people may be used to. You benefit from agile handling with little body lean and good grip, making it easy to thread along twisting roads. An ES, in particular, takes corners and curves adeptly. Ride comfort is generally good on both models, despite the firmer suspension on the ES, and the Stratus does feel smoother than a Ford Contour.

Value for the Money
Overall, the large, comfortable interior; moderate price; and attractive styling make the well-equipped Stratus a good buy. Our only reservation might be Chrysler's past reputation for poor build quality.