The 2-door hatchback was based on the Dodge Daytona model prior to the name badge moving, to the Plymouth brand.

Commercials for the 1990 Laser featured R&B singer Tina Turner[2] who appeared in a series of 1990 promotional ads for Plymouth.

With three available engines, two transmission offerings, and sporty "aero" styling, the Laser was the most performance-oriented Plymouth since the Barracuda, Duster, and Road Runner muscle cars of the 1970s.

Despite its close resemblance to its Mitsubishi and Eagle siblings, it has several unique styling cues intended to set it apart from the other two.

Apart from badging, Lasers sport a race-inspired look, with a plastic panel in the place of a grille, a full rear light-bar, a bulge on the hood for 2.0 L engine models (not necessarily turbocharged), and available stylish "lace" patterned alloy wheels.

Rallye Sport (RS), models are set apart from the base models by their black roof with body-colored targa band, power steering, lower bodyside accent striping, and dual power mirrors, as well as an array of options not available on base Lasers.

1991: the Laser received anti-lock brakes (ABS), and the turbocharged engine could now be ordered with an automatic transmission.

The RS could also be ordered with the Gold Package, which featured gold-trimmed wheels, pin stripes, and graphics.

Compounding the problem, it faced in-house competition from the Talon, as the Eagle brand was also owned by Chrysler.

In the early 1990s, Plymouth's bread and butter lineup still consisted of K-car-derived cars and minivans; the Laser simply did not fit into this group.