This front-wheel-drive compact hatchback debuted for the 1987 model year as part of a new family of small cars built on a shared corporate platform. It replaced an earlier compact in the brand’s lineup and was offered as a practical two- and four-door hatchback aimed at mainstream buyers who wanted economical transportation with more room and modern packaging than the subcompact cars of the early 1980s. The design followed the clean, angular styling of its era and was closely related to a sibling model sold through a different division of the same corporate parent.
Over its run, the nameplate evolved through a number of trim and special-edition variations, including more upscale, sport-oriented, and budget-oriented versions. In the early 1990s, some examples were offered with additional powertrain choices and revised equipment, reflecting the industry’s move toward greater comfort and performance in the compact segment. The car remained recognizable as the same basic hatchback formula throughout its production life, even as details changed year to year.
The nameplate ended after the 1994 model year, closing out an eight-model-year run. It is remembered today as a representative of Chrysler’s front-drive compact era: modest, practical, and notable for bridging the gap between the company’s earlier economy cars and the later compact sedans and hatchbacks that followed.