2015 Chrysler 200

Chrysler has delivered on its promise of producing a serious competitor in the midsize segment with the 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan. While the outgoing model was an improvement over the former Sebring, the new sedan is an A-game auto. Designated an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick with an overall 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 200 should be on the short list for families focused on long-term investment.

 

Four trim levels are offered: the base 200 LX, 200 Limited, 200S, and 200C. Pricing starts at $21,995 for the base 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive car. 

 

The sporty 200S tested here starts at $24,725 with the 2.4-liter, 295-horsepower, V-6 engine. Options, including the V-6 engine, ventilated leather sport seats, upgraded infotainment system, navigation, premium lighting, blind-spot monitoring, and cross-path detection, bring the final MSRP to $33,185.

 

I prefer the 3.6-liter engine to the smaller block that can cause the 9-speed automatic transmission to shift roughly when going up a hill. Fuel economy isn’t quite as good as the 2.4-liter engine, but it still gets 32 mpg on the highway, which is hard to begrudge. The sedan’s four-wheel independent suspension delivers a comfortable ride, while the electric power-steering system has pleasantly heavy feedback on the highway.

 

Visibility to the sides of the car is good, but thick A-pillars can obstruct forward visibility, especially in intersections where trees or tall buildings are a factor.

 

Designers carried Chrysler heritage themes, including the trapezoidal grille shape and winged logo, inside the car. Clever features, such as a storage space under a floating center stack, a rotary gear shifter, and a thin-film transistor information display in the gauge cluster, will appeal to urbanites with lengthy commutes. The level of craftsmanship and use of premium materials rivals luxury sedans.

 

In a post-2008 world where new car buyers are more focused on substance than status, the Chrysler 200 sedan hits the sweet spot.