New Car Overview of the 2005 Dodge Stratus Mid-Size Sedan

Description: Mid-Size Sedan
Base MSRP Range: 20,145 - $21,625
Invoice Price Range: $18,665 - $19,995
Where built: USA

Stratus as a four-door sedan stretches long and wide over a taut package with fluid lines patterned after the coupe, although it rides on a separate platform and uses different powertrains.

For 2005 editions there are two trims that follow designations for the coupe -- SXT and R/T. Stratus SXT employs a 4-cylinder engine with a 4-speed automatic transaxle. The 2.4-liter plant with twin cams musters 150-hp. Stratus R/T denotes a tilt toward performance in a sport-tuned version with firmer suspension settings. It uses a 2.7-liter dual-cam V6 pegged at 200-hp.

SXT rolls on 16-inch aluminum wheels with standard equipment aboard like air conditioning, power door locks and power windows, and a premium audio package with CD deck. A new Sport Appearance package for SXT applies chrome-clad wheels, a spoiler on the tail and Camelot instrument bezels. The R/T shows larger 17-inch aluminum wheels and tires, four-wheel ABS brakes with low-speed traction control system (TCS), foglamps and a spoiler, and a premium sound kit with six speakers.