2015 Chrysler 200: Saved by its Equipment

Were it not for business vehicles (rental cars, company cars, etc.), the Chrysler 200, formerly known as the Sebring, would almost certainly have gone the way of the dodo by now. Even though this model was one of the most-sold intermediate vehicles in Canada, the majority of these units were destined for corporate vehicle fleets. There were only a few individuals who were drawn to the Sebring and its promise of substantial savings (and who overlooked its outmoded platform, hum-drum handling and questionable fit and trim).

The vehicle improved its offer when it changed its name from Sebring to 200. It featured a more youthful exterior and a totally refurbished interior. But that just wasn’t enough to meet the standard set by the competition.

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Chrysler management was fully aware of the challenge and even invested a billion dollars to upgrade the Sterling Heights Assembly plant in Michigan. At the Detroit Motor Show last January, Chrysler pulled the veil off an all-new fully redesigned 200. So is this newbie up to snuff?

Sleek from the side and LEDs

The new 200’s stylists had fun creating a distinctly more modern car whose silhouette is undeniably elegant. Seen from the side, it looks something like the Volvo S60, particularly thanks to its four-door coupe look and the ridge that runs along the body and extends all the way to the back. In keeping with industry trends, LEDs were included in the front daytime running lights and the taillights. One of the victims of the design was the trunk, which now has a relatively small opening. However, its capacity is good and the 60/40 seat back increases the volume when folded down. They also added a ski trap for extra versatility. Too bad that certain parts of the suspension encroach on the trunk and reduce its width.

In recent years, Chrysler has become known for its outstanding dashboards, which offer nice presentation and quality materials. The overall design is not unlike the one in the Dart, but it’s more luxurious. Also, the shift lever has been replaced by a button on the console that is used to manage all nine speeds—nine speeds!—of the automatic gearbox developed by ZF. The centre console features two vents, as on Volvo products. You either like it or you don’t. Chrysler made a special point of using soft materials. To keep pace technologically, the parking brake is electric.  

The base trims come with a 5-inch information display, though our test model, a 200S AWD, came with an 8.4-inch screen, which allowed us to better appreciate the Uconnect system, one of the best on the market.

The 200 comes with all the safety options that are typical of the category, and more can be added from the options list. This includes Active Park Assist, adaptive cruise control, and the Smartbeam system, which automatically adjusts the intensity of the headlamps.

Alfa Romeo? More like Dodge Dart!

When the Dodge Dart was introduced, they made a big deal of the fact that its platform was derived from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. People expected that it would offer the same Italian-style ride, but this didn’t turn out to be the case and the Dart is not exactly known for being fun to drive. Today, this platform is known for being the “large US compact.” Now, how does this relate to the 200? The 200 uses a stretched version of the Dart’s platform. The wheelbase is 4 cm longer and in total the vehicle is 21.3 cm longer. You only have to drive the Chrysler a few kilometres to realize that its handling is very similar to the Dart’s. Sorry, Chrysler!

Two engines are available. The base engine is a 2.4-litre four-cylinder that produces 184 horsepower and 173 lbs.-ft. of torque. Meanwhile, the optional 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 delivers good performance thanks to its 295 horsepower and 262 lbs.-ft. of torque, which can take the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds. The nine-speed automatic gearbox is the only transmission available, while all-wheel drive is only available with the V6, which is the engine that our test model came with. Several people who tested it mentioned the harmonious sound of the exhaust, but our test model offered nothing of the sort.

The driving position is good and easy to find thanks to the steering wheel that adjusts in height and depth. One driver complained that the seatback was uncomfortable and claimed that he could feel a crossbar through it, but it was all good for me and I even appreciated the seat’s lateral support. The road handling was as expected and the steering was precise though a little over-assisted for my taste. Plus, it could offer better feedback. I guess that explains why I feel ambivalent about this model’s handling. The suspension is well calibrated, the road holding is decent, and the all-wheel drive system does an honest job. But there was just no spark to ignite my passion. I must admit that when driven more aggressively, the 200S holds its own and the all-wheel drive is well managed. The nine-speed automatic gearbox may be partially responsible for this impression. The top four ratios are part of an overdrive system that is responsible for frequent shifting . The effect is not dramatic, but more astute drivers may notice.

No matter how you slice it, the new generation of the Chrysler 200 has shown spectacular progress in all areas. It is now an intermediate sedan with modern mechanics and all the accessories you’d expect in the category—and then some. However, it simply doesn’t deliver the fun that its exterior and technical data sheet would suggest. Of course, that doesn’t make it a bad car. This time, buyers won’t be wooed by cost savings, but rather by the vehicle’s value and equipment for money.