The Dodge Spirit is a mid-size 5- or 6-passenger sedan introduced in January 1989 as a replacement for the similarly-sized Dodge 600.[1] The Spirit was Dodge's version of the Chrysler AA platform, a stretched variation of the Chrysler K platform. It was assembled in Newark, Delaware and Toluca, Mexico, and shared its basic design with the 1990 to 1994 Chrysler LeBaron sedan, the 1989 to 1995 Plymouth Acclaim, and the export-only 1989 to 1995 Chrysler Saratoga. Some also regard the Spirit as the de facto replacement for the smaller Aries and the hatchback Lancer, though the Shadow, new for 1987, is closer in size to the Aries and Lancer.[2][3][4] 60,000 Dodge Spirits were sold in its first year[citation needed], enough that Aries production was stopped mid-season. Spirit production ended on 1994 December 9, and the "cab-forward" Stratus was introduced as a replacement.
The Spirit could seat six with an optional front split-bench seat. It had a large trunk, a simple solid-beam rear axle, and a MacPherson strut front suspension. The Spirit differed from the other A-bodies primarily in the grille and rear lamp styling, and in the exclusive availability of the sportier, higher-performing R/T version.
While the Spirit is dimensionally comparable to its contemporaneous Ford Tempo, the platform was also compared with the Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry by Consumer Reports[citation needed] which found the similar but upscale Chrysler LeBaron to be "adequate", but not up to the other three cars. Nevertheless, the Spirit sold reasonably well, mainly on the basis of price and value.[citation needed] Though maligned in their later years by critics,[who?] the Spirit did outsell the Stratus that replaced it.
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