What is the Chrysler version of the Stratus?
The Chrysler version of the Stratus is the Cirrus — a mid-size sedan from the mid-1990s built on the same platform as the Stratus and its Plymouth Breeze sibling. The Cirrus wore the Chrysler badge, while the Stratus and Breeze were marketed under Dodge and Plymouth respectively.
Background: The Stratus family and the JA platform
In the 1990s, Chrysler organized its sedan lineup around three brands. The Stratus name appeared under the Dodge badge, while its siblings in the same family shared the JA platform and overall design but carried distinct brand identities under Chrysler and Plymouth.
Key siblings on the same chassis
Across the JA platform, three closely related models shared the same mechanics and body architecture but offered different badges and trims:
- Chrysler Cirrus (the Chrysler version of the Stratus)
- Dodge Stratus
- Plymouth Breeze
These cars competed in the mid-size segment and were phased out in the early 2000s as Chrysler consolidated its lineup around newer designs.
Model years, design features and market role
The Cirrus was introduced in the mid-1990s and served as the Chrysler-branded counterpart to the Stratus and Breeze. It shared most of its underpinnings with its siblings, offering front-wheel drive and a range of engines typical of the era's mid-size sedans. The Cirrus lineup ended in the early 2000s, giving way to the Sebring and other newer models as Chrysler updated its mid-size offerings.
Related models and impact
Beyond the Cirrus, the Stratus name continued on the Dodge side, while Plymouth offered Breeze as the more luxury-oriented option within the same family. The trio illustrates how Chrysler used badge engineering to cover a broad market segment with a single platform.
Summary
In short, the Chrysler version of the Stratus is the Cirrus. The Cirrus, along with the Stratus (Dodge) and Breeze (Plymouth), shared the JA platform in the mid-1990s, reflecting Chrysler's strategy of badge-engineered sedans. All three were phased out in favor of newer designs around the turn of the century, with Sebring taking on the role of Chrysler's mid-size sedan in later years.
