This Was An Iconic Dodge of the Early '00s
The Dodge Stratus is an underrated ‘90s and '00s family sedan that was affordable and ahead of its time in terms of its styling.
Written by Serena Aburahma
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Dodge
has had several vehicles over the years, like the 1967 Coronet, that have been overlooked or outright forgotten over time. One car that gets very little recognition is the Dodge Stratus. According to
Cars.com
, the Dodge Stratus was only in production for about 11 years. During this time, it had two generations, and while it saw initial sales success, this success did not continue long-term. Despite this, the Dodge Stratus is still a memorable sedan from the ‘90s and ‘00s.The first-generation Dodge Stratus was an underrated sedan
AutoEvolution
states that the first generation of the Stratus was produced from 1994 to 2000. The Stratus name was a part of the manufacturer's strategy of using clouds for the names of vehicles. This also produced the Chrysler Cirrus. The Dodge Stratus was less expensive than the Cirrus, with the initial 1995 model year starting at an MSRP of just under $14,000. In terms of power, the Stratus did not really stand out. Its standard model came equipped with a 2.0-liter V6 that produced 160 horsepower.
However, this is not to say that the Stratus itself did not stand out, as it was a family sedan that remained practical while also emphasizing a stylish design. In its shape, the Dodge Stratus was noticeably sleek and aerodynamic. It debuted in the mid-1990s, but the Stratus looked a few years ahead of its time with its curves.
Inside, the Stratus had plenty of room for five, solidifying its status as a family sedan.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
How the second-generation Stratus stood out
MORE: All About the Dodge Polara: The Carmaker's First Muscle Car
For the 2001 model year, Dodge updated the design of the Stratus, marking the start of the sedan's second generation. This point also marked an interesting time for the manufacturer, as the other two cloud-themed cars were discontinued. The Plymouth Breeze and Chrysler Cirrus were no more, which meant that the Stratus had more of a spotlight to itself.
In many ways, the second-generation Dodge Stratus carried on the style and practicality that the sedan was initially built around. It might not take the title as a classic from the 2000s, but it was a handsome and spacious sedan that did not break the bank.
The 2006 Stratus, the final model year, started at an MSRP of under $21,000. This makes it more expensive than the first model of Stratus, but adjusting for inflation, the vehicle remained relatively affordable.
Why was the Dodge Stratus discontinued?
MORE: The Forgotten Dodge Raider: A Mini SUV that Packed a Punch
While the Stratus would be the last "cloud" vehicle to survive, it would not last forever. Sales of the Stratus failed to reach the manufacturer's expectations, and according to
Autoblog
, production was stopped in 2006. The Stratus wasn't the only casualty of this time, as production of the Chrysler Sebring was also stopped.Interestingly, the Dodge Stratus' design would carry on long after the Stratus name had died off. After production of the Stratus was cut, Russian manufacturer GAZ acquired the production and assembly tools. GAZ produced a new vehicle called the Volga Siber, which was essentially a second-generation Stratus with a new name.
Discover how much you can save on car insurance with Jerry
Whether you drive a reliable Dodge Stratus or any other car, new or used, you can save money on car insurance with
Jerry
. Jerry saves drivers money by comparing car insurance quotes to find the best deals. Signing up is as easy as answering a few questions about your driving. In less than a minute, Jerry will be ready to find cheap insurance for you.
4.7
