REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Seductive extras

The Intrepid had barely rolled off the assembly line before the specialized press was already hailing it as the discovery of the 1998 car year: a mid-size that every driver simply had to take for a spin. Strangely enough, that initial media enthusiasm has evaporated, along with the title Car of the Year which, previously, seemed to be its birthright. Nicely styled, the Intrepid has also adopted the cab forward design introduced by Chrysler several years ago to increase passenger and cargo area. In fact, the competition has to concede victory to the sedan on both these points, since it has lots of interior space and can seat up to 5 adults. Unfortunately, this advantage is somewhat offset by a sloping roofline that hinders passenger access and obstructs rear visibility. The ES version ’ s seats and bench are much more comfortable than the Intrepid base version ’ s, which are softer and have cheaper upholstery. The dashboard has full instrumentation, but some control buttons (the radio and air-conditioning, for example) should be moved within easy reach of the driver. Also, the dashboard ’ s color- coordination and texture can really get under your skin.Under the hood, the options are as follows: only V-6 engines, a 2.7-liter, 200 hp or a 3.5 liter ( in 234 or 244 hp form ). The latter is only offered with the R/T version. The 3.5-liter is mated with the disappointing 4- speed semi-automatic transmission, while the 2.7-liter is hitched to a conventional automatic gearbox. That said, the Intrepid ’ s structure is well assembled and more rigid than expected, with a smoother ride and more sophisticated mechanical systems. The redesign gave it exceptional road grip and stability, even though it lost its power-assisted steering in the process. These advantages are offset by shape that many find unattractive, a firmer suspension than is commonly found on North American vehicles (although this isn ’ t necessarily a defect) and brakes that still lack bite.

Overall, there are enough good reasons for the Intrepid to keep its position as America ’ s number one mid-size, but it still lacks refinement.

PROS
Roomy, comfortable interior
Well-chosen 3.5-liter engine
Smooth ride

CONS
Poor quality lighting
Disappointing semi-automatic transmission

CRASH TEST (five stars indicate the best protection)
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Passenger: * * *