Dodge Shadow

Which Dodge Shadow version should you buy?

The Dodge Shadow was offered from 1986 to 1994 as a Cabrio in a single generation. The catalogue lists 23 modifications, with 12 version records shown here. Choosing among them comes down to four main distinctions: 2,213 or 2,501 cc, 94–152 hp, Manual or Automatic, and naturally aspirated or Turbo power.

The Dodge Shadow was offered from 1986 to 1994 as a Cabrio in a single generation. The catalogue lists 23 modifications, with 12 version records shown here. Choosing among them comes down to four main distinctions: 2,213 or 2,501 cc, 94–152 hp, Manual or Automatic, and naturally aspirated or Turbo power. Every listed version is Gasoline-powered, uses an Inline 4-cylinder engine with 2 valves per cylinder, and has FWD.

Dodge Shadow generations and versions

There is only one Dodge Shadow generation to compare: the 1 generation, produced from 1986 to 1994 with a Cabrio body and 23 modifications in the catalogue. Therefore, no buyer can choose between early and late generations on the supplied figures. The meaningful comparison is between different power, transmission, injection and boost specifications within the same generation.

Dodge Shadow engine and transmission specs

Repeated names identify different specification records, so power is included below to distinguish them.

The 94 hp 2.2 MT appears in two records. One has a kerb weight of 1305 kg, 115 mm ground clearance and no measured consumption; the other weighs 1199 kg, has unmeasured ground clearance and includes consumption figures. The two 94 hp 2.2 AT records also differ: one has a 4-speed Automatic and 115 mm clearance but unmeasured weight and consumption, while the other has a 3-speed Automatic, weighs 1199 kg and includes consumption data.

On specific output, the 94 hp 2.2 versions produce about 42.5 hp per litre, while the 97 hp versions produce about 43.8 hp per litre. The 102 hp 2.5 versions deliver about 40.8 hp per litre. The higher-output 2.5 reaches about 60.8 hp per litre, and the 148 hp Turbo 2.2 leads at about 66.9 hp per litre.

Dodge Shadow performance and fuel economy

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured for every listed version. Top speed is also not measured for most records. Where it is available, the 94 hp 2.2 MT reaches 160 km/h, the 102 hp 2.5 MT reaches 170 km/h, and the 152 hp 2.5 MT reaches 200 km/h. That gives the 152 hp 2.5 MT a 40 km/h advantage over the measured 94 hp 2.2 MT and a 30 km/h advantage over the measured 102 hp 2.5 MT.

Among versions with measured economy, the 94 hp 2.2 MT has the lowest combined figure at 8.1 l/100 km. Its corresponding 3-speed 2.2 AT uses 0.9 l/100 km more. The 97 hp 2.2 MT uses 8.4 l/100 km combined, which is 1 l/100 km less than the 97 hp 2.2 AT. For the Turbo models, choosing the 148 hp 2.2 MT instead of the 148 hp 2.2 AT saves 0.9 l/100 km combined, 0.6 l/100 km in the city and 1.3 l/100 km on the highway.

Dodge Shadow dimensions, weight and practical specs

The fuel tank holds 53 litres in every listed version. Wheel sizes are not measured for any of them. Ground clearance is 115 mm where specified, although it is not measured for the 1199 kg 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT records. Gross weight is not measured across the entire selection.

Measured kerb weights range from 1131 to 1305 kg. At 1131 kg, the 97 hp 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT are the lightest measured versions. The 148 hp Turbo pair weighs 1179 kg, the economy-tested 94 hp pair weighs 1199 kg, the 102 hp 2.5 MT weighs 1200 kg, and the 152 hp 2.5 MT weighs 1230 kg. The other 94 hp 2.2 MT weighs 1305 kg. Kerb weight is not measured for the 4-speed 94 hp 2.2 AT or either of the 102 hp and 152 hp 2.5 AT records.

For versions with measured weight, the 148 hp 2.2 MT has about 8.0 kg per hp, while the 152 hp 2.5 MT has about 8.1 kg per hp. The 97 hp 2.2 MT has about 11.7 kg per hp, and the 1199 kg 94 hp 2.2 MT has about 12.8 kg per hp. The 1305 kg record of the same 94 hp 2.2 MT reaches about 13.9 kg per hp.

All versions use Independent, spring suspension at both ends, Ventilated disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes.

Which Dodge Shadow version should you choose?

Choose the 2.2 MT (94 hp, 1199 kg) if measured fuel economy is the priority. Its 8.1 l/100 km combined result is the lowest supplied figure, and it also records 9 l/100 km in the city and 7.1 l/100 km on the highway. The similarly powered 3-speed 2.2 AT uses more fuel in every measured cycle.

Choose the 2.2 MT (97 hp) for a modest step beyond the 94 hp specification while retaining a 5-speed Manual. It adds 3 hp but no torque, remaining at 165 Nm. Its 8.4 l/100 km combined consumption is 0.3 l/100 km above the economy-tested 94 hp 2.2 MT, while its measured kerb weight is 68 kg lower.

Choose the 2.5 MT (102 hp) if the larger naturally aspirated engine and lower-rated fuel label matter more than the strongest output. It has 8 hp and 18 Nm more than the 94 hp 2.2 MT, reaching 102 hp and 183 Nm, and its torque peak arrives at 2800 rather than 3200 rpm. Its measured top speed is 170 km/h. Fuel consumption is not measured, so an economy advantage cannot be claimed.

Choose the 2.2 MT (148 hp) when power-to-weight ratio and documented economy need to coexist. The Turbo engine produces 231 Nm, giving it 66 Nm more than the naturally aspirated 94 hp and 97 hp 2.2 versions. At about 8.0 kg per hp, it narrowly betters the measured 152 hp 2.5 MT on weight per horsepower, although its top speed is not measured. Its combined consumption is 9.8 l/100 km.

Choose the 2.5 MT (152 hp) for the highest power, highest torque and highest measured top speed in the supplied selection. It produces 4 hp and 13 Nm more than the 148 hp Turbo 2.2 MT, and its 244 Nm arrives at 2000 rpm rather than 2400 rpm. Its measured maximum is 200 km/h, but fuel consumption is not measured.

If an Automatic is essential, the data supports choosing with clear trade-offs in mind. The measured 94 hp, 97 hp and 148 hp Automatic versions all consume more than their corresponding Manual records. The 4-speed 2.2 AT and 2.5 AT specifications may offer an additional ratio compared with the listed 3-speed Automatic versions, but their performance and consumption figures are not measured. Reliability, problems, prices and repair costs are also not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot distinguish one Dodge Shadow version from another here.