Did the Dodge Stealth come AWD?
The Dodge Stealth did offer all-wheel drive, but only on the high-performance VR-4 variant; most Stealth models were rear-wheel drive.
Background: The Stealth and its DSM partnership
The Dodge Stealth was produced through Diamond-Star Motors (a Chrysler–Mitsubishi joint venture) and shared its platform with the Mitsubishi 3000GT. Sold in the United States from 1991 through 1996, the Stealth carried the Dodge badge on a car that was largely identical to its Mitsubishi counterpart, with some trim and option differences. All-wheel drive capability, when present, was tied to the top-tier VR-4 model rather than the base models.
AWD Availability by Trim
The Stealth lineup varied by year, but all-wheel drive was not universally available across every variant. Here is how AWD was applied across the lineup:
- VR-4 (1991–1996): All-Wheel Drive with a twin-turbo V6; included advanced handling features such as 4-wheel steering in some years.
- Base Stealth and RT (non-VR-4): Rear-Wheel Drive; no factory AWD option was offered for these variants.
In practical terms, if you wanted AWD in a Dodge Stealth, you were looking at the VR-4 variant, which combined AWD with high performance in the early-to-mid 1990s sports-car landscape.
Performance and legacy
AWD on the VR-4 helped with launch traction and all-weather capability, a distinguishing feature for a car designed for performance handling. The VR-4’s AWD system, paired with a twin-turbo engine and, in some years, 4WS, placed the Stealth as one of the more capable American-badged performance coupes of its era, even as fewer examples were produced compared to the rear-wheel-drive variants.
Conclusion
In summary, the Dodge Stealth did come with all-wheel drive, but only on the VR-4 variant. The more common base Stealth and RT models were rear-wheel drive throughout their production run. This distinction remains a key point for collectors and enthusiasts when identifying AWD-capable examples.
Summary
The Dodge Stealth's AWD lineage is tied to its VR-4 version. If you want AWD today, look for a VR-4 in good condition; otherwise, most Stealths are 2WD. The car remains a notable example of DSM collaboration and 1990s performance engineering.
