Chrysler Fifth Avenue: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Chrysler Fifth Avenue catalogue contains three versions across two Sedan generations: the first generation, produced from 1982 to 1989, offers the 5.2 AT, while the second generation, produced from 1990 to 1993, offers the 3.3 AT and 3.8 AT.
The Chrysler Fifth Avenue catalogue contains three versions across two Sedan generations: the first generation, produced from 1982 to 1989, offers the 5.2 AT, while the second generation, produced from 1990 to 1993, offers the 3.3 AT and 3.8 AT. The key choice is between the first generation’s larger 5,200 cc engine, 3-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD, or the second generation’s smaller engines, 4-speed Automatic gearbox and FWD. Within the later generation, the 3.3 AT makes one more horsepower than the 3.8 AT, but the 3.8 AT provides 44 Nm more torque.
Chrysler Fifth Avenue generations compared
The first-generation Chrysler Fifth Avenue ran from 1982 to 1989 and was offered as a Sedan with one listed version, the 5.2 AT. This version combines a 5,200 cc Gasoline engine with 140 hp, a 3-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. Its ground clearance is 140 mm. For buyers examining a 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 or 1989 Chrysler Fifth Avenue, these are the catalogue specifications supplied for the first generation.
The second-generation Chrysler Fifth Avenue ran from 1990 to 1993 and was also a Sedan, but it has two listed versions: the 3.3 AT and 3.8 AT. Both use a 4-speed Automatic gearbox and FWD, and both have 125 mm of ground clearance. Compared with the first-generation 5.2 AT, this generation adds one transmission ratio, changes the drive layout from RWD to FWD, and reduces ground clearance by 15 mm. Buyers researching a 1993 Chrysler Fifth Avenue can therefore choose between two engines rather than the single version listed for the earlier generation.
Chrysler Fifth Avenue engine options and specs
| Generation and version | Displacement | Power | Torque | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982–1989 5.2 AT | 5,200 cc | 140 hp / 103 kW | not measured | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1990–1993 3.3 AT | 3,301 cc | 163 hp / 120 kW at 5,300 rpm | 245 Nm at 3,200 rpm | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1990–1993 3.8 AT | 3,778 cc | 162 hp / 119 kW | 289 Nm | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
The first-generation 5.2 AT has the largest engine, exceeding the 3.8 AT by 1,422 cc and the 3.3 AT by 1,899 cc. Despite that displacement advantage, it produces 23 hp less than the 3.3 AT and 22 hp less than the 3.8 AT. Its calculated specific output is about 26.9 hp per litre, compared with about 49.4 hp per litre for the 3.3 AT and about 42.9 hp per litre for the 3.8 AT.
The 5.2 AT uses a Carburetor and has a bore-and-stroke measurement of 99 × 84 mm. The second-generation 3.3 AT uses Central injection (single-point or single- point), has a compression ratio of 8.9, two valves per cylinder, and a 93 × 81 mm bore-and-stroke measurement. The 3.8 AT uses Distributed injection (multi-point), has two valves per cylinder, and measures 96 × 87 mm for bore and stroke. Compression ratio is not measured for the 5.2 AT and 3.8 AT, while valves per cylinder are not measured for the 5.2 AT.
For buyers choosing only between the second-generation engines, the numbers establish a clear trade-off. The 3.3 AT produces 163 hp, one more horsepower than the 3.8 AT’s 162 hp, while using 477 cc less displacement. The 3.8 AT develops 289 Nm, which is 44 Nm more than the 3.3 AT’s 245 Nm. In percentage terms, that is roughly 18% more measured torque, with virtually identical power.
Performance, top speed and fuel economy
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982–1989 5.2 AT | not measured | 208 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1990–1993 3.3 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1990–1993 3.8 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The 5.2 AT is the only version with a measured top-speed figure: 208 km/h. A fair top-speed comparison with the 3.3 AT or 3.8 AT is impossible because their figures are not measured. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for any version.
City, highway and combined fuel consumption are also not measured for all three versions. Consequently, the catalogue data cannot support an mpg ranking or a claim that one Chrysler Fifth Avenue version is more economical than another. Carbon-dioxide output and environmental class are likewise not measured for every version.
Chrysler Fifth Avenue dimensions, weight and capacity
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982–1989 5.2 AT | not measured | not measured | 140 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1990–1993 3.3 AT | not measured | not measured | 125 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1990–1993 3.8 AT | not measured | not measured | 125 mm | not measured | not measured |
Kerb weight and gross weight are not measured for the 5.2 AT, 3.3 AT or 3.8 AT. This means weight per horsepower cannot be calculated honestly for any version. Overall length and other exterior dimensions are not measured as well, so searches for Chrysler Fifth Avenue dimensions or length cannot be answered numerically from this catalogue data.
Ground clearance is the only measured size-related comparison. The first-generation 5.2 AT provides 140 mm, while both second-generation versions provide 125 mm. The first generation therefore has 15 mm more listed ground clearance. Fuel-tank capacity and wheel sizes are not measured for any of the three versions.
Chassis and brakes
The 5.2 AT has Dependent, spring front suspension and Dependent, spring rear suspension. Its front brakes are Ventilated disc, while its rear-brake type is not measured.
Both the 3.3 AT and 3.8 AT have Independent, spring front suspension with Dependent, spring rear suspension. Each uses Ventilated disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes. The suspension and brake data therefore provide no basis for choosing between the two second-generation engines, but they do distinguish both from the first-generation 5.2 AT through their Independent, spring front suspension and specified Drum rear brakes.
Which Chrysler Fifth Avenue version should you choose?
Choose the first-generation 5.2 AT if your priorities are the only listed RWD configuration, the largest engine at 5,200 cc, the only measured top speed at 208 km/h, or the greatest ground clearance at 140 mm. It is also the only Carburetor version. Its numerical disadvantages are lower output—140 hp rather than 163 hp or 162 hp—and a 3-speed rather than 4-speed Automatic gearbox.
Choose the second-generation 3.3 AT if power and power per litre matter most. Its 163 hp is the highest figure in the range, although the advantage over the 3.8 AT is only one horsepower. Its calculated output of about 49.4 hp per litre is also the strongest of the three versions. It is the only option with measured power speed at 5,300 rpm, measured torque speed at 3,200 rpm and a measured compression ratio of 8.9.
Choose the second-generation 3.8 AT if measured torque is the deciding specification. It supplies 289 Nm, 44 Nm more than the 3.3 AT, while giving up only one horsepower. It also uses Distributed injection (multi-point), whereas the 3.3 AT uses Central injection (single-point or single- point). Because fuel consumption and acceleration are not measured, the extra displacement and torque cannot be translated into a verified economy or 0–100 km/h advantage.
The most defensible all-round numerical choice is the 3.8 AT when torque takes priority, while the 3.3 AT is the better specification-led choice for maximum power and specific output. The 5.2 AT remains the distinct alternative for buyers specifically seeking the first generation’s RWD layout, 3-speed Automatic transmission, 5,200 cc engine and additional 15 mm of ground clearance. Price, reliability, interior condition, parts availability and engine-swap suitability are not measured in the supplied data, so they should be assessed separately rather than inferred from these specifications.