Dodge Daytona

Dodge Daytona: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Dodge Daytona catalogue covers a single generation produced from 1984 through 1993 as a Hatchback 3-door. The choice is therefore between powertrains rather than generations: the listed versions use front-mounted transverse Gasoline engines, FWD, and either a 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic transmission.

The Dodge Daytona catalogue covers a single generation produced from 1984 through 1993 as a Hatchback 3-door. The choice is therefore between powertrains rather than generations: the listed versions use front-mounted transverse Gasoline engines, FWD, and either a 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic transmission. Outputs range from 94 hp to 224 hp, while the most powerful 2.2 MT delivers about 101.2 hp per litre. For buyers prioritising maximum documented performance, the 224 hp 2.2 MT is the clear choice; the naturally aspirated 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT versions are the lower-output alternatives.

Dodge Daytona generations and versions

The 1 generation ran from 1984 to 1993 and used a Hatchback 3-door body. The database lists 19 modifications for this generation, with 12 versions shown here. Because there is only one generation in the supplied data, there is no intergenerational change to compare. Selection instead depends on engine output, boost, transmission, fuel grade, and the limited performance figures available for individual versions.

Several versions share the same database name. They must be distinguished by output: 2.2 MT appears with 94 hp, 146 hp, 174 hp, and 224 hp; 2.2 AT appears with 146 hp, 174 hp, and 224 hp; 2.5 MT appears with 96 hp and 100 hp; and 2.5 AT appears with 96 hp and 100 hp.

Engine specs and version comparison

The engine data reveal a wide spread of output from closely related version names. The naturally aspirated 94 hp 2.2 MT produces approximately 42.5 hp per litre. The turbocharged 146 hp 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT raise that figure to approximately 66.0 hp per litre, while the 174 hp versions reach approximately 78.6 hp per litre. The 224 hp 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT deliver approximately 101.2 hp per litre.

The 2.3 MT produces approximately 78.7 hp per litre, almost the same specific output as the 174 hp 2.2 versions. Among the naturally aspirated 2501 cc choices, the 96 hp 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT produce approximately 38.4 hp per litre, while the 100 hp versions produce approximately 40.0 hp per litre.

Valve and fuel-system specifications also separate the choices. The 224 hp 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT have 4 valves per cylinder, an 8.5 compression ratio, Turbo boost, and Central injection (single-point or single- point). The other listed 2.2 versions have 2 valves per cylinder and a 9.5 compression ratio. The 146 hp versions use a Carburetor, whereas the 94 hp and 174 hp versions use Central injection (single-point or single- point). Every listed 2.5 version has 2 valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 9, and Distributed injection (multi-point). The 2.3 MT also uses Distributed injection (multi-point), but its compression ratio is not measured.

Performance, top speed, and mpg

Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for any of the 12 shown versions. Fuel consumption in city, highway, and combined driving is also not measured for every version, so no evidence-based mpg comparison can be made.

Top speed is measured for only three versions. The 94 hp 2.2 MT reaches 180 km/h, the 146 hp 2.2 MT reaches 201 km/h, and the 224 hp 2.2 MT reaches 237 km/h. The documented increase from the 94 hp 2.2 MT to the 146 hp 2.2 MT is 21 km/h, while the 224 hp 2.2 MT adds another 36 km/h over the 146 hp version. Compared with the 94 hp 2.2 MT, the 224 hp 2.2 MT has 130 hp more power and a top speed that is 57 km/h higher.

Top speed is not measured for the 146 hp 2.2 AT, both 174 hp 2.2 versions, the 224 hp 2.2 AT, the 2.3 MT, or any shown 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT. The missing figures should not be inferred from versions with matching engine output because the transmissions differ.

The database provides both torque and engine speed for the 94 hp 2.2 MT, the two 224 hp 2.2 versions, and the two 100 hp 2.5 versions. The 224 hp 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT produce 294 Nm at 2800 rpm, which is 129 Nm more than the 94 hp 2.2 MT’s 165 Nm at 3200 rpm. The 100 hp 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT produce 183 Nm at 2800 rpm, or 18 Nm more than the 94 hp 2.2 MT.

Dimensions, weight, and ground clearance

Ground clearance is 110 mm for every shown Dodge Daytona version. Tank capacity and wheel sizes are not measured for any of them. Gross weight is also not measured throughout the supplied data.

Kerb weight is measured only for the 224 hp 2.2 MT, at 1260 kg. That version has approximately 5.6 kg per horsepower. Kerb weight is not measured for the 94 hp, 146 hp, or 174 hp 2.2 MT versions; any 2.2 AT; the 2.3 MT; or any 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT. Consequently, weight-per-power comparisons between those versions cannot be calculated from the available figures.

All shown versions use Independent, spring front suspension and Ventilated disc front brakes. Rear suspension is not measured. Rear brakes are not measured for every version except the 2.3 MT, which has Disc rear brakes.

Which Dodge Daytona version should you buy?

Choose the 224 hp 2.2 MT when maximum documented output and speed are the priorities. Its 2213 cc Turbo engine produces 224 hp and 294 Nm, its measured top speed is 237 km/h, and its specific output is approximately 101.2 hp per litre. It is also the only version with enough supplied data to calculate a power-to-weight relationship: approximately 5.6 kg per horsepower from a 1260 kg kerb weight. Its 5-speed Manual transmission distinguishes it from the otherwise closely specified 224 hp 2.2 AT.

Choose the 224 hp 2.2 AT if the 4-speed Automatic is essential and the engine specification matters more than documented performance. It matches the 224 hp 2.2 MT in power, torque, displacement, Turbo boost, cylinder arrangement, valve count, fuel grade, and drive. However, its top speed, acceleration, fuel consumption, and kerb weight are not measured, so the available data cannot establish whether its real-world performance matches the Manual version.

The 174 hp 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT form the intermediate 2213 cc pair. Each offers 28 hp more than the 146 hp equivalent and 50 hp less than the 224 hp equivalent. Their approximate output of 78.6 hp per litre is nearly identical to the 2.3 MT’s 78.7 hp per litre. Choose between the two 174 hp versions by transmission preference: 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic. Torque, top speed, acceleration, economy, and weight are not measured for either.

The 177 hp 2.3 MT is the alternative for buyers comparing strong output with 92 fuel. It has 3 hp more than the 174 hp 2.2 MT, 47 hp less than the 224 hp 2.2 MT, and a 5-speed Manual. It also combines Turbo boost with Distributed injection (multi-point), while its rear brakes are listed as Disc. Its acceleration, top speed, consumption, torque, and weight are not measured.

The 146 hp 2.2 MT is the best documented middle-output choice because its measured top speed is 201 km/h. It has 52 hp more than the naturally aspirated 94 hp 2.2 MT and a top speed 21 km/h higher. The 146 hp 2.2 AT provides the same power with a 4-speed Automatic, but its top speed is not measured.

For a naturally aspirated choice, compare the 94 hp 2.2 MT with the 96 hp and 100 hp 2.5 versions. The 100 hp 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT offer the highest naturally aspirated output shown, exceeding the 96 hp versions by 4 hp and the 94 hp 2.2 MT by 6 hp. They also provide 183 Nm, although top speed and consumption are not measured. Manual and Automatic versions have identical engine figures, so transmission preference is the decisive documented difference.

The 96 hp 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT sit just 2 hp above the 94 hp 2.2 MT, despite having 288 cc more displacement. Their torque is not measured, while the 94 hp 2.2 MT has a documented 165 Nm and 180 km/h top speed. The 94 hp 2.2 MT is therefore the more completely documented low-output version; the 96 hp 2.5 pair remains relevant for buyers specifically choosing between a 5-speed Manual and 4-speed Automatic while using 92 fuel.

Reliability, common problems, purchase prices, and repair costs are not measured in the supplied data. They cannot be used to rank these versions. Based strictly on the available specifications, the 224 hp 2.2 MT is the performance choice, the 146 hp 2.2 MT is the middle-output option with a measured top speed, the 100 hp 2.5 MT or 2.5 AT is the strongest naturally aspirated choice, and the corresponding Automatic versions suit buyers who place transmission type ahead of missing performance measurements.