While the outside of the Stratus looks closer to a small car than a
mid-size, looks prove deceiving once inside. The interior is extremely
roomy and airy. The Stratus can comfortably accommodate four passengers
with very good leg and headroom in front, and outstanding space in the
rear. Like most cars in this size class, it's rated for five passengers,
but, also like most, three's a crowd in the back seat.
The seats are quite comfortable and provide ample support even during
long journeys. An integrated child seat for the back is available as an
option, a convenient feature that results in the little one always being
properly restrained, whereas child safety seats are often installed improperly.
The Stratus has full instrumentation, attractively marked and nicely
illuminated after dark. Its controls are easy to reach and easy to read.
The addition of the standard full center console, which had been optional
before, is a significant improvement.
Not only can the Stratus carry four adults in comfort, it can carry
their belongings as well. The trunk, easy to load with its low liftover
and wide opening, is very large for a small mid-size car. Cargo-carrying
capacity can be expanded by folding down the rear seat. Items like skis
and surfboards can be placed in the trunk and slid into the rear seat by
a lockable passthrough.
A release latch for the pass-through to the trunk has been added inside
the trunk so when you're loading long items, you don't have to walk around
and open the car doors in order to unlock the pass-through. (Chrysler designers
came upon this clever new feature while watching Christmas shoppers try
to load their wares in mall parking lots.)
Safety features include dual airbags, side-guard door beams and front
seat height adjustable shoulder belts. Keyless remote entry is available,
as is an optional personal security package. Antilock braking is optional
on the basic Stratus, standard on the ES.
The standard engine in all Stratus models is the same 132-horsepower
2.0-liter four-cylinder that powers the Neon twins. It's mated to a smooth
five-speed manual transmission, the only Stratus engine so equipped.
Optional engines include a 150-hp 2.4-liter four and a 168-hp V6, supplied
by Mitsubishi. The 2.4-liter engine is paired with a fully-adaptive electronically
controlled four-speed automatic, but the ES V6 gets Chrysler's four-speed
AutoStick automatic.
AutoStick is a transmission control system introduced initially on the
larger, more expensive Eagle Vision TSi in early 1996, and became available
as standard equipment on the Stratus ES V6 midway through the 1996 model
year.
AutoStick lets the driver switch between automatic and clutchless manual
transmission modes, allowing greater control and driver interaction. When
you feel like shifting for yourself, you set the transmission in the manual
mode and simply flip the gear lever from side to side to achieve up or
downshifts. Put it back into auto mode, and it functions just like any
other automatic.
Our ES tester was equipped with this clever device, and we think it's
an ideal compromise for a household in which one person wants a manual
transmission and the other wants an automatic. And it certainly blends
well with the car's sporty character.
This transmission also has some other benefits that go beyond a regular
automatic transmission. On slippery surfaces, AutoStick can be shifted
into first, second or third gear to minimize wheelspin. Going downhill,
AutoStick can be downshifted early to allow the engine to take some of
the load off the brakes. Going uphill or on winding roads, Autostick can
hold a gear longer to achieve optimum power, eliminating hunting for the
right gear. The AutoStick-equipped Stratus can also be downshifted just
before a passing maneuver, to increase engine rpm for better no-lag acceleration.
The Stratus is a fun car to drive. With its modified double-wishbone
suspension, it provides precise steering, firm and responsive handling,
and feels quite stable in corners and around curves.
We found the V6 engine to be peppy, but still noisier than it should
be for true driving enjoyment and still not quite up to the performance
levels of some other V6 engines in this class--the Ford Contour, Honda
Accord and Toyota Camry come to mind.