chicagotribune.com's view

Accept the Plymouth Sundance for what it is, not what it looks like it is. Sundance originally was to be the replacement for the subcompact Plymouth Horizon, albeit a sporty, much more stylish subcompact successor, to be sure.

Since Chrysler decided to keep Horizon as well as its cousin Omni, Sundance and its cousin Dodge Shadow are additions to Chrysler`s subcompact lineup.

While Omni/Horizon look like economy cars, Sundance and Shadow look like sporty subcompacts that happen to be high mileage subcompacts.

We test drove the 1988 Sundance RS four-door hatchback, an economy car that doesn`t look cheap. Of course, with an $8,245 base price, $1,390 for the RS package, and $2,785 in assorted options, the $12,420 Sundance RS isn`t what you`d call an inexpensive trifle.

The subcompact, front-drive Sundance is built on a 97-inch wheelbase and is 171 inches long, making it slightly larger than a rival Ford Escort built on a 94-inch wheelbase and 167 inches long.

The Sundance RS we drove was finished in a stylish two-tone red over gray. Up front the plastic wraparound air dam under the bumper complemented the sporty look of the recessed headlamps. But the lamps would have looked better and sportier if they had concealed lids over them when not in use. Thick, wide bodyside moldings add to the styling, while offering protection to the panels.

In back, the hatchback looks as if it has a stubby trunk. Open the hatch lid and what you find is a stubby cargo area a bit short of room.

On this model, the rear seats fold flat and open to the cargo area to provide more carrying capacity. While the folding seats allow added cargo, adults will find rear seat leg, head, and arm room at a premium. The back seat is for kids.

Inside, cloth seats are attractive, but a bit stiff. Long trips would be irritating. Also, the dash sits a bit high, the seat a bit low so that you feel somewhat too low in the saddle.

Give Chrysler credit for coming up with some handy items, like a stowage container in the center console, another under the dash that also holds two cups. Another smart touch is placement of the power mirror and window controls in the center console and not in the arm rests where they`d steal room.

Under the easy-to-open, spring-held hood, the oil filter and spark plugs stare up at you, meaning easier service for the do-it-yourselfer, quicker service for the professional being paid hourly.

As for annoyances, rather than a traditional volume control for the radio, this car had a knob you push up or down several times to adjust sound- not the most accurate way to obtain the best decible reading.

The Sundance RS comes with a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission as standard. Our car was equipped with the larger 2.5- liter four that`s part of the RS package and automatic, which is a $536 option.

The 2.5 was peppy, though not a powerhouse despite this being only about a 2,500-pound car. With automatic you have to put up with a little noise off the line and from the light. At cruising there`s no problem.

The suspension is economy-like, not sports car-like. You get a little road wobble, little more than average swing and sway in turns and corners.

Standard equipment also includes power brakes and steering and all-season radials. The RS package adds the 2.5-liter four, AM-FM stereo with cassette, two tone paint, console, rear defroster, power door locks, leather wrapped steering wheel, luggage rack, foglites, message warning center in the dash for door ajar/lift gate open/low fuel/low washer fluid, and folding rear seats.

Popular options are automatic, $536; air, $694; tinted glass, $105; and sunroof, $365. There also are convenience and power assist packages at $385 and $232, respectively, that add cruise control, tilt wheel, floor mats, conventional spare, powe door locks and mirrors.