Dodge Stratus is a mid-size D-class car introduced by Chrysler Corporation in February 1995. Until 2006, it was produced in the sedan, from 2000 to 2005. the coupe option was available. The model received good reviews and periodically entered the TOP-10 of the best passenger cars of the 1990s. A total of 1,308,123 vehicles were sold.
First generation
Dodge Stratus is based on the Chrysler JA platform. His older brother is the more expensive Cirrus, and the younger is Breeze. Thus, Stratus is in the middle position in the JA line. Three modifications have many common features, up to the interior design. The differences are noticeable except in the design of the front, rear bumpers and headlights.
The base is a 2.4-liter gasoline engine EDZ I4 rated at 150 hp. and a torque of 226 Nm. For the Mexican market, a turbocharged Dodge Stratus 2.4 R / T was produced. His power plant was upgraded to 168 hp. The turbocharged model participated in the open championship of Sweden on road racing. First-generation sales were discontinued in Canada in 1999, and at the end of 2000 in other countries.
Second generation
By 2001, the Dodge Stratus was the only survivor in the JA line. By this time, Chrysler had teamed up with Daimler AG. The new team decided to breathe life into a losing brand. The updated Stratus sedan is based on the upgraded JR platform. Unfortunately, the rating of the model steadily fell. In 2004, an attempt was made to restyling, but in 2006 the production of the car was stopped.
Sales went well in Mexico. In 2001, the turbocharged engine for the Dodge Stratus was reinforced. Its peak power reached 215 hp. while maintaining a 2.4-liter volume. The engines of the EDV / EDT I4 series were so good that they were subsequently used in the Dodge SRT-4 and PT Cruiser GT models.
Since March 2004 (after restyling), Stratus R / T engines have produced 225 hp. (168 kW) at 5200 rpm and 319 Nm of torque at 4200 rpm. Turbo-charged Stratus models can be identified by the Turbo icon on the boot.
In addition to the 2.4-liter versions, there were more powerful engines with a volume of 2.7 and 3 liters (2.7L EER V6 and 3.0L 6G72 V6). By the way, diesel units for the model did not exist.
Stratus coupe
In 2001, Dodge introduced the Stratus coupe, replacing the Avenger on the assembly line. This model was manufactured at the factory of Diamond Star Motors Mitsubishi and was based on the ST-22 platform. There are not so many differences between a coupe and a sedan:
- two doors instead of five;
- a small trunk spoiler;
- slightly modified optics;
- lack of stampings over wheel arches;
- recycled interior.
The engine range consisted of only two positions: 2.4L 4G64 I4 and 3.0L 6G72 V6. In 2003, the Stratus coupe survived a small restyling. In the lower part around the front bumper fog lights appeared.
After 2005, production was no longer carried out.
Security
Despite the large dimensions, the car does not differ in impact resistance and safety. The first generation Dodge Stratus is rated “bad” in the IIHS frontal crash test. The second generation of Stratus received an overall rating of “acceptable” in the IIHS frontal test. The danger of injuring the right leg prevented the increase in performance.
The lateral crash test model was unsuccessful, receiving a rating of "poor" due to the weak side structure. The absence of additional side airbags can lead to possible serious neck injury, fracture of the ribs, high overloads in the area of the shoulders and pelvis. Seats and head restraints provide protection at an “acceptable” level.
Reviews
Dodge Stratus is well known to domestic motorists under the brand name Volga Siber, a license for which Oleg Deripaska acquired in 2007. Among the strengths of the owners note an interesting design, a spacious lounge, ease of control, powerful motors. An unconditional plus are:
- simplicity of design;
- reliability;
- lack of difficulties with repair;
- inexpensive spare parts;
- driving comfort, including long distances;
- moderate gasoline consumption (7-11 l), given the large volume of engines;
- unpretentiousness to the quality of fuel and working fluids;
- high (even excess) power.
Of course, the car has its cons. First of all, this is insufficient safety for a modern car. The weak point is the quality of the lower levers of the front landing gear. Often they break down after 20-30 thousand kilometers. Also, complaints are addressed to the brakes, which do not always cope with their duty, especially in bad weather conditions. There is a roll in the corners. Established optics are frankly weak, so many owners buy headlights from third-party companies.
Overall, the car is good for its class. He has his own character and falls in love with himself, despite the nuances.