The Chrysler NEWPORT is a midsize car built from 1981 to 1988 over 4 generations. Engines offered: V8. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the NEWPORT is
The Chrysler NEWPORT is a midsize car that Chrysler built from 1981 to 1988 — 8 model years. Our measurements put it at 4 generations, the current one starting in 1979. It has been offered with V8 power. Its closest siblings in the Chrysler range: 200, New Yorker, LeBaron.
NEWPORT generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the NEWPORT'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 NEWPORT that gives 4 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971-1972 | 570 cm | 315 cm | 1871 kg | - | - |
| 1973 | 584 cm | 315 cm | 1957 kg | +14 cm | +86 kg |
| 1974-1978 | 571 cm | 315 cm | 2068 kg | -13 cm | +111 kg |
| 1979-1981 | 559 cm | 301 cm | 1651 kg | -12 cm | -417 kg |
Chrysler NEWPORT tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment NEWPORT 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 NEWPORT have? Power & range
The Chrysler NEWPORT is offered with 1 powertrain — 5.2L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Chrysler NEWPORT, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.2L · 8-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | RWD | 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 NEWPORT by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Chrysler NEWPORT. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | NEWPORT | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 2 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Chrysler NEWPORT?
The NEWPORT is a midsize car, built from 1981 to 1988 across 4 generations. Engines offered: V8.
How many generations does the NEWPORT have?
4 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1979. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car.
What is the Chrysler NEWPORT 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 NEWPORT reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. 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 NEWPORT?
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
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler 300 | 1999–2026 | 86 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chrysler Pacifica | 2004–2026 | 98 | 32 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chrysler 200 | 2011–2017 | 26 | 27 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| 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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