After the discontinuation of the Chrysler Cirrus and the Plymouth Breeze, the second generation of the Dodge Stratus became the last surviving model from the “cloud car” trio.
It was based on the Chrysler JR platform, which was actually the old JA revamped with more modern technology. Just like the first generation, it was built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, in Michigan. After its production ended due to sluggish sales in 2006, all the manufacturing tools and assembly lines for the Stratus were shipped to Russia, where the car continues to be built under license by GAZ.

While the Chrysler Cirrus got the better bits and pieces of the interior, the Dodge Stratus could have been bought for less money and still offer a sportier character.
Chrysler turned its attention toward meteorology when it named its siblings, and thus the car-people found out that the Cirrus are higher clouds than the stratus clouds, and so was with the cars. The Chrysler was more expensive and more luxurious, while the Dodge Stratus was more of a down-to-earth kind of vehicle.

Its aerodynamic profile, with a narrow front end and slim headlights, started the car’s ascending lines, which ended with the trunk lid upper than the base of the windshield. But that didn’t stop there. The curved body panels and the soft edges made the car looked like it was carved by air. Yet, it was just a regular four-door sedan designed for families.

Inside, the Stratus featured five seats with two bucket-seats at the front and a bench in the back. Its velour upholstery was nicely trimmed and fitted. The cabin was roomy for full-sized adults, even in the back. In the back, there was room for three if there was a shorter trip. For the dash panel, Dodge chose rounded shapes, following the bio-design trend. Its white dials from the instrument panel were very visible.

Unlike its more expensive brother, the Cirrus, the Stratus was offered with a choice of three engines ranged between 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter V-6. The latter was carried over from Mitsubishi. Apart from the 130 hp version, the others were available exclusively with a four-speed automatic transmission, which was offered as an option for the base model.