The Chrysler Daytona is a compact car built from 1984 to 1993 over 4 generations. Between 1983 and 1993 it grew 10 cm longer and gained 67 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl. Too new for a verdict, since complaints and recalls take years to accumulate — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Daytona is
The Chrysler Daytona is a compact car that Chrysler built from 1984 to 1993 — 10 model years. Our measurements put it at 4 generations, the current one starting in 1990. It has been offered with 4-cyl power. Its closest siblings in the Chrysler range: Conquest, LASER.
Daytona generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Daytona's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Daytona that gives 4 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983-1984 | 445 cm | 247 cm | 1202 kg | - | - |
| 1987-1988 | 456 cm | 247 cm | 1299 kg | +11 cm | +97 kg |
| 1989 | 445 cm | 246 cm | 1248 kg | -11 cm | -51 kg |
| 1990-1993 | 455 cm | 247 cm | 1269 kg | +10 cm | +21 kg |
Between 1983 and 1993 the Daytona gained 10 cm in length (+2.2%) and 67 kg in weight (+5.6%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Daytona that is 67 kg against 10 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Chrysler Daytona tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Daytona owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Chrysler Daytona have? Power & range
The Chrysler Daytona is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Chrysler Daytona, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.2L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The Daytona by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Chrysler Daytona. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Daytona | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | Not yet rated | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Chrysler Daytona?
The Daytona is a compact car, built from 1984 to 1993 across 4 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl.
How many generations does the Daytona have?
4 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1990. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Daytona grew 10 cm longer and gained 67 kg.
What is the Chrysler Daytona warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Daytona reliable?
The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Daytona?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Chrysler
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler 300 | 1999–2026 | 86 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
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| Chrysler Town and Country | 1990–2016 | 174 | 21 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chrysler 300C | 2005–2011 | 8 | 21 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chrysler Sebring | 1995–2010 | 106 | 24 mpg | 3.5/5 |
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