What is the Plymouth version of the Dodge Stratus?
The Plymouth version of the Dodge Stratus is the Plymouth Breeze.
In the mid-1990s, Chrysler grouped its mid-size sedans under three badges—Dodge Stratus, Plymouth Breeze, and Chrysler Cirrus—sharing a common platform and many mechanical components. The Breeze offered the same core package as the Stratus, but with Plymouth styling and branding to appeal to buyers loyal to the Plymouth name.
Overview
When it launched in 1995, the Breeze was positioned as a mid-size, five-passenger four-door sedan designed to compete in the same market segment as the Dodge Stratus. It provided a practical, comfortable package with similar ride quality and interior space to its Dodge sibling, but with distinct Plymouth cues in the exterior and interior design.
Shared platform and mechanics
These cars were developed to share core engineering to reduce production costs and streamline assembly. Key shared elements include:
- Common chassis and general dimensions with the Stratus and Cirrus
- Similar drivetrain options across the trio, including four-cylinder and V6 possibilities
- Comparable suspension and safety features to deliver a familiar mid-size sedan experience
These shared elements meant the Breeze delivered a ride and performance profile close to the Stratus, while wearing Plymouth branding and styling.
Model years and design notes
The Breeze was produced from the 1995 model year through 2000, overlapping with the Stratus and Cirrus in Chrysler’s mid-size strategy. While the Stratus carried the Dodge badge, the Breeze carried Plymouth insignia, offering similar packaging and capabilities with different trim emphasis and styling cues.
Legacy and market context
As Chrysler reorganized its brands around the turn of the century, the Breeze, along with its Stratus and Cirrus siblings, faced discontinuation as part of a broader consolidation of the lineup. The Breeze’s legacy lives on in the era’s badge-engineered approach—where multiple brands shared the same core vehicle architecture to target different buyer personas at similar price points.
Summary
The Plymouth Breeze was the Plymouth-branded counterpart to the Dodge Stratus, sharing a platform, powertrain options, and overall packaging, but offered with Plymouth styling and branding from the mid-1990s until its discontinuation in 2000.
