It bills itself as a family car, and it certainly has the interior room to back up that claim. But its exterior styling and beefy engine under the hood scream sports car. The 1998 Dodge Intrepid featured a redesigned exterior and frame, with two new engines in its base and ES models.

Outside, the sloping windshield was angled even more dramatically, with a rounder roof and fastback-like rear deck. A wraparound four-headlight setup and a Viper-inspired grille completed the aggressive exterior. The sexier look was based somewhat on a 1996 concept hybrid car, the ESX, which was never produced. The new chassis was retooled to respond to complaints about road noise, vibration, and body roll, making for a quieter, smoother, and safer ride. Base trims came standard with a more fuel economy-minded 2.7-liter, 200-hp V6 that packed a powerful punch. ES models received the 3.2-liter, 225-hp V6 paired with an AutoStick transmission. The fuel economy increased slightly to 18/26 mpg.

Both in engine power and look, the 1998 Intrepid was a much sportier car that doubled as a roomy family car for five or six. A huge trunk, easy to read and reach gauges, one-touch cupholders, and plenty of legroom gives the Intrepid a luxurious feel. Its suspension, redesigned platform, and engines lend it more precise handling. A lot of drivers love the 1998 Intrepid, primarily for its speed and look and space. Major problems occurred with the 2.7 V6 engine, 4-speed transmission, and the power windows. Another criticism was blind spots when parallel parking.