CHRYSLER Saratoga Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

In the '80s, Chrysler tried to enter the European market with small alliances and, later on, with its own badged vehicles, like the Saratoga, which was, in fact, the Dodge Spirit.

Chrysler's management understood that the American cars were too big for the narrow European roads, so it tried to enter the market with smaller-sized vehicles like the Saratoga. It was barely considered a good match for the mid-size segment. But it was a total failure.

The car's look was different and not in a bad way. Its narrower front end, raked windshield, and the almost vertical rear window was not exactly the European design style, not to mention the short deck in the back. Volvo 740 featured a similar design, but since it was bigger, it entered into a different market segment.

The big instrument cluster extended over the center stack, with squared forms, was far from what other European carmakers did. As a result, there were not too many customers to eagerly move from Renault, Opel, Volkswagen, or BMW toward the American brand. While the front seats were comfortable, there was limited legroom in the back. Last but not least, the trunk was just 408 liters (14.4 cu-ft), and there was no way to extend it.

Under the hood, Chrysler offered big displacement and low powered engines. The base version featured a 2.5-liter unit that offered similar power to a European 1.8-liter and a 3.0-liter V6, which was thirsty and couldn't keep the pace with a 2.0-liter Opel Vectra. As a result, Chrysler had to pull the plug for the Saratoga in 1995.