2000 Chrysler Cirrus Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

This upscale version of the Dodge Stratus is now available with a 4-cylinder model that effectively replaces the discontinued Plymouth Breeze. The 2000 model year is the last for the Cirrus nameplate; a redesigned '01 model will wear the Sebring badge.
With the Breeze dying along with the Plymouth brand, the 2000 Cirrus LX provides Chrysler dealers with a Breeze replacement. The LX joins the V6 LXi Cirrus. The LX comes with a 132-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and manual transmission. Available at no extra charge on the LX is a 150-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder linked to automatic transmission. The LXi has a 168-hp V6 and automatic transmission. Antilock brakes are standard on LXi, optional on LX. Aluminum wheels and 8-speaker AM/FM cassette stereo are standard instead of optional for 2000 on the LXi. Rear child seat anchorages also are added to both models. Cirrus's performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Stratus models.

Competition

Perennial Best Buys Honda Accord and Toyota Camry continue to shine with refinement, model diversity, and comfort. Both come in coupe and sedan form, offer economic 4-cylinder or sporty V6 power, have room for four adults, and are reasonably priced.
Recommended models include the smooth Buick Century, the import-flavored Chevy Malibu, the sporty Nissan Maxima, surprising Olds Intrigue, and the good-looking Pontiac Grand Prix. All come with V6 power, offer lots of standard equipment, and have pleasing road manners that will suit a variety of driving styles.
If you are looking for something a touch bigger without spending a whole lot more we suggest the Budget Buy Chevy Impala. It's the largest car in this class, has a powerful V6, and doesn't cost any more than the others.

News

Chrysler's entry-level sedan has been redesigned for 2001 and becomes part of the Sebring line. See that heading for more information.

2000 Chrysler Cirrus Road Test

Pros	Cons

Ride	Noise

Steering/handling	Rear visibility

Passenger and cargo room	Automatic transmission performance

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LXi	Class Average
4	4.7

Adequate, though the automatic transmission pauses a frustrating moment before downshifting.

Fuel Economy

LXi	Class Average
5	5.4

A V6 returned a likable 21 mpg in our tests.

Ride Quality

LXi	Class Average
4	5

Stable and comfortable on most surfaces.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LXi	Class Average
5	5

Cirrus corners with agility, good grip, and minimal body lean, and its precise steering centers easily after a turn.

Quietness

LXi	Class Average
4	5

Wind rush is well managed, but engine and exhaust noise are intrusive.

Controls

LXi	Class Average
6	6

Gauges are large, controls clearly labeled and easy to reach.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LXi	Class Average
5	5.2

Outstanding head room with plenty of stretch-out space for the long-legged.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LXi	Class Average
4	4.1

Almost as spacious as in some full-size cars, and wide doors make it easy to climb in and out.

Cargo Room

LXi	Class Average
4	4.5

The trunk's flat floor goes well forward, but a small opening makes it hard to load bulky cargo. The one-piece rear seatback folds and can be released from a handle in the trunk.

Value within Class

LXi	Class Average
5	5.3

Cirrus with the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder is a capable family 4-door, and the LXi model delivers a touch of luxury at a reasonable price. No version is as refined or as well built as its Japanese competition, but Cirrus matches import-brand rivals in ride and handling, and beats them for passenger space. And with replacement models on the way for 2001, Chrysler dealers should be discounting.

Total Score

LXi	Class Average
46	50.2

Scores for all Midsize Cars

Low Score		38
Average Score		50
High Score		65

2000 Chrysler Cirrus Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/31/2000

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

LX 4-door sedan	$16,480	$15,147	$575

LXi 4-door sedan	$20,335	$18,578	$575

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/lumbar adjusters, center console, cupholders, folding rear seat, AM/FM/cassette with six speakers, digital clock, tachometer, rear defogger, visor mirrors, speed-sensitive intermittent wipers, remote decklid release.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

195/65R15 tires, wheel covers.

LXi adds to LX:

Powertrain

2.5-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Variable-assist power steering, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, universal garage-door opener, reading lights, illuminated visor mirrors, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Quick Order Pkg. 24B
LX	$1,055	$939
Power mirrors, power windows and door locks, 8-way power driver seat, floormats.

Quick Order Pkg. 26K
LXi	$1,635	$1,455
Leather upholstery, 8-way power driver seat, AM/FM/cassette w/CD changer controls and eight speakers, alloy wheels.

Gold Pkg.
LXi	$500	$315
Gold trim and badging, chrome alloy wheels with gold accents.

Powertrain
2.4-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine
LX	$450	$401
Requires 4-speed automatic transmission, Quick Order Pkg. 24B.

4-speed automatic transmission
LX	$1,050	$935
Requires 2.4-liter engine.

Safety
Antilock brakes
LX	$565	$503
Requires Quick Order Pkg. 24B.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Premium AM/FM/cassette
LX	$340	$303
Requires Quick Order Pkg. 24B.

Premium AM/FM/CD player
LX	$200	$178
Requires Quick Order Pkg. 24B.

Premium AM/FM/cassette w/6-disc CD changer
LX	$550	$490
LXi	$210	$187
LX requires Quick Order Pkg. 24B.

Power sunroof
LX	$695	$619
LXi	$580	$516
LX requires Quick Order Pkg. 24B.

Remote keyless entry
LX	$170	$151
Requires Quick Order Pkg. 24B.

Smoker's Pkg.
LX, LXi	$20	$18


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Engine block and battery heater
LX, LXi	$30	$27
LX requires Quick Order Pkg. 24B.

Sentry Key theft-deterrent system w/alarm
LXi	$175	$156


Inferno red paint
LX, LXi	$200	$178


Full-size spare tire
LX, LXi	$125	$111
LX requires Quick Order Pkg. 24B.

Alloy wheels
LX	$365	$325
Require Quick Order Pkg. 24B.

2000 Chrysler Cirrus Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Chrysler Cirrus 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	108.0

Overall Length, in.	187.0

Overall Width, in.	71.7

Overall Height, in.	54.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	3197

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	15.7

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	16.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.1

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.3

Rear Head Room, in.	36.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	38.1

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc I4	dohc I4	sohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.0 /122	2.4 /148	2.5 /152

Horsepower @ rpm.	132 @ 6000	150 @ 5200	168 @ 5800

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	129 @ 4950	167 @ 4000	170 @ 4350

Availability	Standard	Optional	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	26/37	--/--	--/--

4-speed automatic	--/--	21/30	19/27

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Chrysler Cirrus 4-door sedan

Collision	3

Collision (HLDI)	86

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Injury	3

Injury (HLDI)	95

Side Impact, Driver	3

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	2

Theft	3

Theft (HLDI)	80

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%. Side-impact 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%.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2000 Chrysler Cirrus Photos

Also in the 2000 Chrysler Cirrus Review:

Chrysler Cirrus

Chrysler Cirrus Road Test

Chrysler Cirrus Prices & Equipment

Chrysler Cirrus Specs & Safety

Chrysler Cirrus Photos

Chrysler Cirrus Full Review

All Chrysler Cirrus

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