Chrysler LeBaron: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Chrysler LeBaron version to choose depends on whether you want traditional rear-wheel-drive coupe character, stronger performance, or the broader transmission choice of the later front-wheel-drive cars. The data covers four generations from 1977 to 1993, including Coupe and Cabrio bodies.
The Chrysler LeBaron version to choose depends on whether you want traditional rear-wheel-drive coupe character, stronger performance, or the broader transmission choice of the later front-wheel-drive cars. The data covers four generations from 1977 to 1993, including Coupe and Cabrio bodies. For outright performance, the third-generation Cabrio’s turbocharged 2.2 MT is the standout: it produces 177 hp and reaches 211 km/h. The second-generation 2.5 MT with 155 hp is the quickest version with a measured acceleration time, reaching 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds. Buyers prioritizing measured fuel economy should compare the third-generation 2.2 MT at 9.1 l/100 km combined with the second-generation 3.0 MT at 8.9 l/100 km combined. The first-generation Coupe is the choice for RWD, while every listed second- and third-generation version uses FWD.
Chrysler LeBaron generations: what changed?
The first-generation Chrysler LeBaron was offered from 1977 to 1981 as a Coupe with three listed versions. Its 3.7 AT and both 5.2 AT specifications combine Gasoline engines, a 3-speed Automatic gearbox, and RWD. Outputs range from 91 hp to 157 hp. These are also the largest engines in the catalogue, at 3682 cc and 5210 cc, and every version has a 74-litre tank.
The second generation ran from 1982 to 1988 as a Cabrio and contains 23 versions, of which 12 are detailed in the supplied data. Its most important change is the move to FWD, accompanied by Manual and Automatic gearboxes and engines ranging from 2250 cc to 2972 cc. Naturally aspirated and Turbo specifications are both present. This generation also has independent spring suspension at both ends, ventilated front discs, rear discs, and 120 mm of ground clearance.
The third-generation Cabrio was offered from 1987 to January 1992, with 16 versions and 12 detailed specifications. Its listed engines span 2213–2972 cc and 98–177 hp. All use FWD, independent spring front suspension, semi-independent spring rear suspension, front discs, rear drums, and a 53-litre tank. A restyled third-generation Coupe followed from February 1992 to January 1993 with four listed versions: 2.5 AT, two 3.0 AT specifications distinguished by power, and 3.0 MT. The restyled range is narrower, with 101–143 hp and no listed Turbo engine.
Chrysler LeBaron engine and gearbox specs
Repeated version names are separated below by generation and power so that each specification remains unambiguous.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 3.7 AT | 91 hp | 217 Nm | 3682 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First generation 5.2 AT, 122 hp | 122 hp | 332 Nm | 5210 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First generation 5.2 AT, 157 hp | 157 hp | 325 Nm | 5210 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 2.3 MT | 177 hp | not measured | 2250 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 2.3 AT | 177 hp | not measured | 2250 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 2.5 AT, 101 hp | 101 hp | 183 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 2.5 MT, 155 hp | 155 hp | 284 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 2.5 AT, 155 hp | 155 hp | 284 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 3.0 MT, 136 hp | 136 hp | 233 Nm | 2972 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 3.0 AT, 136 hp | 136 hp | 233 Nm | 2972 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 3.0 MT, 143 hp | 143 hp | 232 Nm | 2972 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 3.0 AT, 143 hp | 143 hp | 232 Nm | 2972 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 2.5 AT, 101 hp, 1295 kg | 101 hp | 183 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 2.5 MT, 101 hp | 101 hp | 183 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 2.5 MT, 155 hp, 1375 kg | 155 hp | 284 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 3.0 AT, 136 hp | 136 hp | 223 Nm | 2972 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 2.5 AT, 101 hp, 1380 kg | 101 hp | 180 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 2.2 MT | 177 hp | 271 Nm | 2213 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 2.5 MT, 98 hp | 98 hp | 180 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 2.5 AT, 98 hp | 98 hp | 180 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 2.5 MT, 101 hp | 101 hp | 180 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 2.5 AT, 101 hp, 1234 kg | 101 hp | 180 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 2.5 MT, 148 hp | 148 hp | 230 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 2.5 AT, 148 hp | 148 hp | 231 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 2.5 MT, 152 hp | 152 hp | 244 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 2.5 AT, 152 hp | 152 hp | 244 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 2.5 MT, 154 hp | 154 hp | 285 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Restyled third generation 2.5 AT | 101 hp | 183 Nm | 2501 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Restyled third generation 3.0 AT, 136 hp | 136 hp | 223 Nm | 2972 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Restyled third generation 3.0 AT, 143 hp | 143 hp | 232 Nm | 2972 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Restyled third generation 3.0 MT | 143 hp | 232 Nm | 2972 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
The strongest specific output comes from the 177 hp third-generation 2.2 MT: its 2213 cc engine produces about 80.0 hp per litre. The second-generation 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT each produce about 78.7 hp per litre, while the second-generation 2.5 MT with 155 hp produces about 62.0 hp per litre. By comparison, the first-generation 5.2 AT with 157 hp develops about 30.1 hp per litre. This makes the later Turbo cars the logical candidates when output relative to engine size matters.
Chrysler LeBaron performance and fuel economy
Measured performance is incomplete, so the absence of a result should not be read as zero performance. The third-generation 2.2 MT has the highest recorded top speed at 211 km/h, but its 0–100 km/h time is not measured. It records 12.9 l/100 km in the city, 6.3 l/100 km on the highway, and 9.1 l/100 km combined.
The second-generation 2.5 MT with 155 hp and a 1375 kg kerb weight reaches 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and has a 198 km/h top speed. Its consumption is 13.6 l/100 km city, 7.8 l/100 km highway, and 10 l/100 km combined. It is 0.1 l/100 km less economical on the combined cycle than the third-generation 2.2 MT, while its measured top speed is 13 km/h lower.
Among the naturally aspirated V-shaped 6-cylinder choices, the second-generation 3.0 MT with 143 hp reaches 100 km/h in 11.1 seconds and 182 km/h, while recording 14 l/100 km city, 6.9 l/100 km highway, and 8.9 l/100 km combined. The corresponding 3.0 AT with 143 hp takes 11.7 seconds and reaches 185 km/h; its fuel consumption is not measured. The earlier second-generation 3.0 MT with 136 hp takes 11.2 seconds and reaches 182 km/h, with fuel consumption not measured.
The third-generation 3.0 AT with 136 hp takes 11.2 seconds to reach 100 km/h, reaches 182 km/h, and uses 9.8 l/100 km combined; city and highway figures are not measured. Its restyled Coupe counterpart takes 11.3 seconds, reaches 185 km/h, and records 13.5 l/100 km city, 6.6 l/100 km highway, and 9.5 l/100 km combined.
For the restyled 3.0 AT with 143 hp, acceleration and top speed are not measured; consumption is 11.2 l/100 km city, 8.4 l/100 km highway, and 10.2 l/100 km combined. The restyled 3.0 MT also has acceleration and top speed not measured, while consumption is 12.4 l/100 km city, 8.4 l/100 km highway, and 10.7 l/100 km combined. Despite sharing 143 hp and 232 Nm, the Automatic records a 0.5 l/100 km lower combined figure.
Chrysler LeBaron weight, clearance, tank, and wheel sizes
The first-generation 3.7 AT weighs 1530 kg, giving about 16.8 kg per horsepower. Both first-generation 5.2 AT specifications weigh 1568 kg: the 122 hp version carries about 12.9 kg per horsepower, whereas the 157 hp version improves that ratio to about 10.0 kg per horsepower. Gross weight and ground clearance are not measured for all three, while tank capacity is 74 litres and wheel sizes are not measured.
The second-generation 2.5 MT with 155 hp and measured acceleration weighs 1375 kg, or about 8.9 kg per horsepower; gross weight is 1840 kg. The 3.0 MT with 143 hp weighs 1447 kg, or about 10.1 kg per horsepower, and has a gross weight of 1840 kg. The 3.0 MT with 136 hp weighs 1565 kg, or about 11.5 kg per horsepower, with a gross weight of 1855 kg. Every detailed second-generation version has 120 mm ground clearance. Tank capacity and wheel sizes are not measured.
The third-generation 2.2 MT weighs 1300 kg and therefore has the best listed weight-to-power result at about 7.3 kg per horsepower; its gross weight is 1800 kg. The 148 hp 2.5 MT weighs 1304 kg, or about 8.8 kg per horsepower, and is the only listed specification with measured wheel sizes: 205/60 R15 and 195/70 R14. Ground clearance is not measured. All listed third-generation versions have a 53-litre tank.
In the restyled Coupe, the 2.5 AT weighs 1299 kg, the 136 hp 3.0 AT weighs 1360 kg, the 143 hp 3.0 AT weighs 1370 kg, and the 3.0 MT weighs 1361 kg. Gross weight is measured only for the 136 hp 3.0 AT, at 1880 kg. Ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured across this restyled range.
Which Chrysler LeBaron version should you choose?
Choose the third-generation 2.2 MT if performance is the priority. Its 177 hp, 271 Nm, 211 km/h top speed, approximately 80.0 hp per litre, and approximately 7.3 kg per horsepower form the strongest performance combination in the supplied figures. Its combined consumption of 9.1 l/100 km is also lower than that of every detailed third-generation Turbo 2.5 version with a measured combined result.
Choose the second-generation 2.5 MT with 155 hp and a 1375 kg kerb weight when verified acceleration matters most. Its 8.7-second 0–100 km/h result is the quickest measured time in the data. It gives up 22 hp to the 2.2 MT and uses 0.9 l/100 km more fuel combined, but its acceleration figure is measured rather than absent.
Choose a 3.0 AT if you want a naturally aspirated V-shaped 6-cylinder engine with an Automatic gearbox. In the restyled Coupe, moving from the 136 hp 3.0 AT to the 143 hp 3.0 AT adds 7 hp and 9 Nm, while kerb weight increases by 10 kg. However, the 136 hp car is the better documented performance choice because its 11.3-second acceleration and 185 km/h top speed are measured; both values are not measured for the 143 hp version.
Choose the restyled 2.5 AT for the lightest restyled Coupe. At 1299 kg, it is 61 kg lighter than the 136 hp 3.0 AT and 71 kg lighter than the 143 hp 3.0 AT. The trade-off is output: it has 35 hp less than the 136 hp version and 42 hp less than the 143 hp version.
Choose the first-generation 5.2 AT with 157 hp if RWD, the largest engine, and the largest tank are decisive. It shares its 5210 cc displacement and 74-litre tank with the 122 hp 5.2 AT but adds 35 hp while retaining the same 1568 kg kerb weight. Acceleration, top speed, fuel consumption, gross weight, ground clearance, and wheel sizes are not measured, so it cannot be ranked fairly against the later cars on those criteria.
Finally, any Chrysler LeBaron for sale should be matched to its exact generation, power output, transmission, and measured specification. Names such as 2.5 AT, 2.5 MT, 3.0 AT, and 3.0 MT recur with materially different outputs and weights; the version name alone is not enough to identify the car represented by these catalogue figures.