3
0
Large car; Built in USA
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $1,600*


1990 Dodge Dynasty LE


1990 Dodge Dynasty LE


1991 Dodge Dynasty LE


1991 Dodge Dynasty


1992 Dodge Dynasty

Pros:
  • Antilock brakes (optional)
  • Passenger and cargo room
Cons:
  • Automatic-transmission performance
  • Handling
  • Ride

This traditionally styled mid-size sedan delivers conservative performance and marginal handling, along with its rather fluffy ride. In all, it’s a lackluster yet well-designed front-wheel-drive family sedan that could prove to be a good practical vehicle.

Overview

Cousin to Chrysler’s New Yorker, the Dynasty, was introduced in 1988. It carried less equipment, a smaller price tag, and came in Base and LE editions. New for 1990 was a driver-side airbag. Also new was an optional 3.3-liter V6 on LEs. Prior models had come with either a 4-cylinder engine and 3-speed automatic, or a 3.0-liter V6 with 4-speed automatic. Antilock braking was an option on V6 models.

Yearly Updates

1991 Dynasty
These 6-passenger sedans showed little change. Base and LE sedans remained available.
1992 Dynasty
Chrysler’s closely related New Yorker Salon earned fresh styling this year, but the family-focused Dodge Dynasty showed little change.
1993 Dynasty
Minor details were the only changes for the final Dynasty sedans, as they faced replacement by the larger Intrepid as Dodge’s mid-size family car. A stainless steel exhaust system was installed, along with a tamper-resistant odometer and an upgraded audio system.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Only a 4-cylinder engine and a 3.0-liter V6 had been available in 1988-89, but the 1990-93 Dynasty might have a 3.3-liter V6 instead. Base cars got the 100-horsepower 4-cylinder, whereas a Mitsubishi-built 3.0-liter V6 went into the LE and was optional in the base model. Built by Chrysler, the 3.3-liter V6 was an option for the LE. Four-cylinder cars got a 3-speed automatic transmission, but all V6 models had a 4-speed automatic.

ohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.5/153
Engine HP 100
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 135
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
3-speed automatic

 21/27
ohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/181
Engine HP 141
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 171
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 21/28

 19.6
ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.3/201
Engine HP 147
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 183
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 20/26

 20.6

Road Test

Both V6 engines are vastly superior to the 4-cylinder, but neither qualifies as a speedster. Even with a 3.0-liter V6, acceleration in a Dynasty is far from brisk, though certainly adequate. The standard four is feebler yet, but the 3.3-liter V6 is quicker than either. It has more torque than the 3.0-liter, thus slightly better response around town. The V6 comes only with Chrysler’s 4-speed automatic transmission, which often is slow to downshift for passing and also tends to vibrate and jolt while changing gear. The transmission might even emit a loud whining noise. Gas mileage is likely to be roughly the same, regardless of engine. A test Dynasty with the 3.0-liter V6 averaged 19.6 mpg.

The Dynasty’s soft, generally comfortable ride is pleasing, but expect a lot of body lean and tire squeal through anything more than a gentle turn. Although the chassis absorbs bumps well, the suspension feels loose and bouncy at highway speeds. Soft all-season tires tend to whine and roll over onto their sidewalls in curves and corners.

Dynasty offers plenty of room for five or six people and a load of luggage, though four will be more comfortable. Middle passengers in either the front or back seat will have to squeeze somewhat, however, because the interior is not terribly wide. On the plus side, the functional design provides plenty of leg room and adequate head room in the rear.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1990 Dodge Dynasty 3.0-liter

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 4
40%
Fuel Economy - 5
50%
Ride Quality - 6
60%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 6
60%

Total: 48

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
104.5 192.0 68.9 53.6
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
16.5 16.0 6
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.3 37.9 41.9 38.0
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1992 Dynasty 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 71
Injury 92
Theft 32

Trouble Spots

Air conditioner
Description: The A/C evaporator freezes up because the compressor does not cycle off causing a lack of cooling. (1991-93)
Engine noise
Description: A chirping serpentine belt is corrected by a replacement automatic belt tensioner. (1991-93)
Engine stalling
Description: Stalling, lack of power or erratic transmission shifting may be due to a faulty fuel pump check valve. (1993)
Suspension noise
Description: Sway bar bushing wear causes a squeaking noise from the front suspension. (1992-93)

Recall History

1990
Description: On cars with gray interior, airbag inflator modules may not contain diffuser holes between igniter and propellant chambers, so airbag would not deploy in an impact.
1990-91
Description: On cars without automatic temperature control, water leakage under windshield cowl may result in corrosion of heater blower resistor terminals.
1990-91 w/ABS
Description: High-pressure hose in antilock brake system may leak or detach at crimped end fitting, resulting in discharge of hydraulic fluid, which increases likelihood of brake lockup and increased stopping distances.
1990-93 w/ABS
Description: Hydraulic control unit can experience excessive piston seal wear; antilock braking could fail, and power assist might be reduced.
1991
Description: Front-outboard seatbelt may become difficult to latch and/or unlatch; latch may then open during accident or sudden stop, increasing risk of injury.
1991
Description: Front disc brake caliper guide pin bolts may not be adequately tightened and could loosen, which could cause reduced braking effectiveness.
1992
Description: Zinc plating of some upper steering column shaft coupling bolts caused hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt, which could result in loss of steering control.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 2, 2014.
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