1999 Chrysler Cirrus Review
Price Estimate: $470 - $781
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Great-looking car has a ton of standard features for the price.
Cons
- We wish that we could get traction control and a more powerful V6.
What’s new
A slightly revised suspension gives the Cirrus a softer ride, and the interior improvements include a new instrument cluster and lower NVH levels. Outside, 15-inch chrome wheel covers are standard, and a winged Chrysler badge now decorates the front grille.
For sale nearby
Vehicle overview
We really like the Chrysler Cirrus. It offers more car for the money than nearly anything else in the compact class. Comfortable seating for four (five in a pinch), and a standard equipment list that includes antilock brakes, speed control, deluxe stereo, power locks and windows, remote keyless entry, a 2.5-liter V6 engine, leather seats, power driver's seat and a HomeLink universal transmitter make this car competitive with many luxury sedans from the U.S. and Japan. The LXi also comes with standard chrome wheels, and two new colors for 1999: Inferno Red and Light Cypress Green.
Chrysler is trying to boost sales in the face of competition being tossed up by the Mercury Mystique, Volkswagen Passat and Nissan Altima. All of these accouterments are perfect for turning the Cirrus into the ideal car for empty-nesters or young individuals who don't need or want a big car, but who like the luxurious touch.
Our main complaint about the Cirrus is with the powertrain offered to buyers. The old 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine made 150 horsepower and 165 foot-pounds of torque, better than arch-rival Mercury Mystique. Unfortunately, the V6 offers only 18 more horsepower and five more foot-pounds of torque. We don't think that the V6 justifies additional cost. To make matters worse, the Cirrus is not available with a manual transmission; something that vaults the Mercury Mystique into the sport sedan category when coupled with the optional V6 engine.
Despite these gripes, the Cirrus continues to impress. Chrysler is making great strides in design andEngineering. We understand that quality has become a major priority at the company since a well-known consumer group pulled the plug on its endorsement of the LH-Series sedans and the Jeep Grand Cherokee due to low owner satisfaction scores. If you like the Cirrus but want something a bit sportier, check out the Dodge Stratus ES which can be had with nearly the same level of luxury, the V6 engine, and Chrysler Corp.'s automanual transmission.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in New York
$195/mo for Cirrus LXi
Cirrus LXi
vs
$170/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Chrysler Cirrus Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Cirrusly
4 out of 5 starsearzy, 02/21/2011
1998 Chrysler Cirrus LXi 4dr Sedan
Car handles well, and seems to hold the road greatly.
I never feel like I"m going to go out of control.
The gas mileage isn't great considering it's such a small V6.
The airy cabin provides a lot of sunlight which can make the a/c work harder in the summer, but helps warm the car in the winter.
Plenty of headroom for 6+ footers, and the large bottom seat cushion provides good thigh … support not found on most imports.
A lot of standard features make you feel like you're in the top of the line Chrysler model, and not the lesser equipped Dodge Stratus/Plymouth Breeze.
The engine wants to rev to make it's best power, but doesn't require everything it's got to pass people.
1999 Chrysler cirrus
4.5 out of 5 starsrikkia, 03/14/2012
1999 Chrysler Cirrus LXi 4dr Sedan
I worked all summer to get a car and the 99 Chrysler cirrus was the one i bought. It has been the most reliable car anyone in my family has owned. i get between 25-30 MPG, and i have a slight oil and transmission leak but its no big deal right now. the Cirrus has wonderful handling, and it is definitely built for short people .
Dependable
4.88 out of 5 starsernie28, 12/29/2014
1999 Chrysler Cirrus LXi 4dr Sedan
I bought this car in 2003 with 86,000 miles and drove it to 204,000 very little repairs. I traded it on a 2015 200C and it was still running strong. The best car I have ever owned.
above average Chrysler product
4.88 out of 5 starsMs D, 09/12/2003
1999 Chrysler Cirrus LXi 4dr Sedan
Great running, looking car. Great gas
mileage (300 miles to tank)!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1999 Chrysler Cirrus, so we've included reviews for other years of the Cirrus since its last redesign.
1999 Cirrus Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $195/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger2 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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