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The 2011 Chrysler 200 is a new nameplate, though technically it’s a refreshed version of last year’s Chrysler Sebring. The heavy makeover includes updated exterior styling, a vastly improved passenger cabin, a new 3.6-liter V6 engine and retuned suspension and steering.

Introduction

Name changes can often be a precursor to future success. Elton John, for instance, began his meteoric rise only after he left behind his given name: Reginald Dwight. Norma Jeane Baker? That’d be Marilyn Monroe. A similar transformation seems to have come about with the Chrysler 200, a car formerly known as the Sebring. We haven’t been very fond of the Sebring, a car grand in concept but cursed by the cheapness of its execution. Imagine our elation to discover in the new 200 a car that delivers on the style it promises, both in the quality of its interior and in the way it goes down the road. Even as its competition has become more cost-conscious, the 200 shows us that refinement is still possible in this market segment.

Though the 200′s exterior styling retains the Sebring’s basic form, new sheet metal from the front doors forward plus nicely redone front and rear fascias with LED daytime running lights and taillights give the car a more sophisticated look. A subtly lowered ride height, wider track and available 18-inch alloy wheels also give it a somewhat sportier stance. These exterior changes complement upgrades inside the cabin and under the hood. In place of the Sebring’s low-budget rental car cabin is a nicer interior with high-quality materials that shame other sedans in this class. Meanwhile, completely reworked suspension bits and steering make the 200 more satisfying to drive..

A 2.4-liter inline-4 remains the standard engine for most trim levels, but the big news is the new Pentastar V6, a 3.6-liter, 283-horsepower engine. There’s some value here, too, as the convertible is the only roomy four-seater in its price range, and both convertible and sedan offer a lot of features for the money. That said, the 200 sedan still faces a class full of talent. In addition to ever-popular choices like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, there are top picks like the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6 and Suzuki Kizashi. Even so, the 2011 Chrysler 200 measures up to the best of them.

Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options

The 2011 Chrysler 200 is offered as a midsize sedan and convertible. Both are offered in four trim levels. The entry-level LX model comes equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, a four-speed automatic transmission, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery, 60/40-split-folding rear seatbacks, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack.

Price: $19,245 – 23,745.
Invoice: $18,985 – 22,745.

The Touring model adds some desirable extras including 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-speed automatic, automatic headlights, a power driver seat, automatic climate control, a trip computer, upgraded interior lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio. Opting for the plush Limited version will get you 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote ignition, Bluetooth and a premium sound system with a touchscreen interface, voice controls and digital music storage. Most of these features are available on the Touring. A sunroof and a Garmin-based navigation system with Sirius Travel Link data service are optional.

A sporty S trim level (delayed introduction) is essentially a Limited with even more standard features including the V6 engine, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, sport front seats with suedelike inserts and upgraded audio with Boston Acoustics speakers. The sunroof and navigation system are again optional. For the 200 convertible, Chrysler offers either a conventional power-operated soft top or a retractable steel hardtop.

Interior Design and Special Features

The Chrysler 200′s design team did a remarkable job transforming the Sebring’s low-rent interior into something that can now hold its own against its midsize sedan competitors. The general dash design and control layout are pretty much the same as before, and because the materials are substantially better, the overall ambience is greatly improved. It ranks with competitors like the Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata without apology. The actual dimensions of the passenger cabin haven’t changed with the makeover, however, so the 200 is a bit smaller than its competition aside from the Suzuki Kizashi.

The sedan’s 13.6-cubic-foot trunk is also a little on the small side. If you’re looking for a convertible with a comparatively roomy backseat, however, you should be pleased with the 200, as its midsize status provides more room than most. The 200 convertible is available with either a conventional soft top or a more expensive retractable hardtop; the hardtop promises better security and noise reduction. Either way, top operation is easy and takes about 30 seconds to lower. Wind noise is impressively subdued with the top up; we’ve found the convertible to be just a bit louder than the sedan. With the top down, trunk capacity drops to just 6.6 cubic feet.

Powertrains and Performance

The front-wheel-drive 2011 Chrysler 200 offers a choice of two engines. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder comes standard on all trim levels except the S and puts out 173 hp and 166 pound-feet of torque. The 3.6-liter V6, which is standard on the S and available as an option on all but the entry-level LX, puts out a healthy 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

A key to performance is the six-speed automatic transmission, which is standard across the line aide from the entry-level LX, which has a four-speed automatic. A new dual-clutch six-speed automatic, which promises better performance and fuel economy, will be available on four-cylinder models later in the model year. In Edmunds testing, a 200 Limited sedan accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, an average time for this type of car. The V6 convertible takes a bit longer at 7.5 seconds. Current EPA fuel estimates are 20 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 24 combined for the four-cylinder with the six-speed automatic. The V6 earns a 19/29/22 mpg rating.

Driving Impression

While not as immediately apparent as the appearance makeover, the mechanical changes made to the 2011 Chrysler 200 have also contributed greatly to the car’s metamorphosis. A number of suspension tweaks have made a dramatic improvement in the 200′s handling, and the steering provides a decent amount of feedback. The ride quality is now slightly firmer compared to the Sebring’s super-cushy suspension tuning, but that’s for the better. Performance with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder is still unremarkable, but it should be adequate for most buyers, especially when it’s mated to the six-speed automatic transmission. The new 3.6-liter V6 is quite energetic, delivering strong acceleration without a tremendous sacrifice in fuel economy.

Safety

The 2011 Chrysler 200 comes with a long list of standard safety features including stability and traction control, antilock brakes with brake assist, active front head restraints, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the 200 sedan scored the top rating of “Good” in all the agency’s tests — which include frontal offset, side impact and roof strength. The convertible also scored “Good” in the frontal-offset and side impact tests (no roof strength test was done). The 200 Limited came to a stop from 60 mph in 121 feet.

The 2009 Chrysler Sebring sees some mid-year changes on top of the loss of all-wheel drive. Sebring is available as either a 4-door sedan or 2-door convertible. The Sebring convertible comes with a power soft top and heated-glass rear window and offers an optional power-retracting hard top. The sedan is offered only in Limited trim; the entry- and mid-level LX and Touring trims have been discontinued.

The convertible remains available in LX, Touring, and Limited trims. The AWD Limited sedan has also been discontinued. The sedan and LX convertible come with a 173-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 186-hp 2.7-liter V6 is standard on Touring convertibles. This engine is capable of running on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. A 235-hp 3.5-liter V6 is standard on Limited convertibles and optional on Limited sedans. The 2.4- and 2.7-liter engines use a 4-speed automatic transmission, the 3.5 a 6-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags (on sedans), and front side airbags.

Also available is Chrysler’s uconnect multimedia suite, which can include a 30-gigabyte hard drive that can hold music or picture files, a wireless cell phone link, and a navigation system with real-time traffic information. Other available features include heated and cooled cupholders and remote engine start. Leather upholstery with heated front seats is standard on the Limited convertible and optional on the Touring convertible.

Investigators for the National Highway Traffic safety Administration are taking a closer look at 2007 Chrysler Pacificas equipped with the 4.0-liter V6. There is a concern that the vehicles could be prone to engine bay fires.

A cross-threaded power steering fitting that prevents proper sealing of the hydraulic system could be the root cause. Chrysler has received 166 warranty claims and 25 complaints reporting smoke and fire breaking out. NHTSA has also received three complaints, and the fires seem to be localized to the front of the vehicle, indicating that a power steering leak could indeed be to blame.

Chrysler is aware of the problem, which is specific to the 4.0-liter equipped Pacificas, and traced it to a tube nut on the high pressure power steering line. The nut was found to have been cross threaded when attached to the steering gear, which prevents the o-ring from sealing. Chrysler has put extra quality assurance and assembly processes in place to solve the problem. The automaker also explained that owners should monitor the level of power steering fluid and listen for a noisy pump; both telltale signs that offer a degree of early warning before the Pacifica goes up in smoke. If NHTSA continues to see a problem, a recall of the 2007 Pacifica could be imminent.

The 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser loses its convertible body style. This retro-styled compact car comes as a five-passenger, 4-door wagon in Base, Touring, and Limited trims. PT Cruisers have a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Base and Touring versions have 150 hp. Optional on Touring and standard on Limited is a turbocharged 180-hp engine. The Base offers manual or automatic transmission.

Chrysler has unveiling of the limited edition 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 as they started the Woodward Dream Cruise. The 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 is factory-customized car that featuring a number of exterior enhancements. Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 sits on 17-inch SRT Design wheels, and comes with a two-tone theme with a Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl painted roof and hoop spoiler. Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 equipped with cross-hatched, upper and lower solid billet aluminum grilles. Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 price will starts at $22,700, which includes $670 for destination. However, only 1,750 units of 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 will be sold in the U.S.

2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser that arrives this fall, the Dream Cruiser Series 5 is available with two fuel-efficient 2.4-liter powertrains that are perfect for cruising any avenue. The standard 2.4-liter naturally aspirated 16-valve engine produces 150 horsepower (112 kW) and 165 lb.-ft. (220 N•m) of torque and is coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission. This engine achieves 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. A potent 180-horsepower (134 kW) turbo-charged 2.4-liter is available, providing 210 lb.-ft. (285 N•m) of torque to the pavement while achieving 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 is well appointed with standard equipment including: power windows with auto-down function on both front windows, AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player, MP3-play capability and auxiliary audio input jack, 65/35 fold/tumble/removable rear seats, a center console with sliding armrest and storage, Chrysler signature analog clock, compass, temperature display, air conditioning, manually adjustable front seats with seat heaters, front dome lamp, cargo compartment lamp, floor mats, 12-volt center instrument panel power outlet, uconnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio, cruise control and leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt-steering column. To top off interior appointments, a 368-watt Boston Acoustics premium sound system and power sun roof are available.

The Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 marks the 14th customized version of the segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser since it was first introduced in 2000 as a 2001 model. The 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 joins the Flames, Woodie, PT Dream Cruiser Series 1, 2, 3 and 4, PT Turbo and Chrome Accents models, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, the refreshed 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66, Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition and Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Editions.

Standard exterior equipment includes body-color front and rear fascias, body-color fog lamp surrounds, Chrysler winged badge on the hood and liftgate, upper and lower billet aluminum cross-hatch pattern grilles, chromed door handles, chromed body-side moldings, chromed stainless steel exhaust tip (on turbo), 17-inch SRT Design wheels with all-season performance tires, unique ‘PT’ door badging, PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 tailgate badge, fog lamps and a Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl hoop spoiler to match the accented roof. Exclusive Midnight White Pearl Coat exterior paint completes the dramatic look.

The limited-edition 2009 PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 also includes more than 25 standard safety and security features found on the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser, including standard front-seat-mounted side air bags, Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS), new advanced driver and front-passenger multi-stage front air bags with the Occupant Classification System (OCS), Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child-seat anchor system, brake/park interlock, lap and shoulder seat belts in all positions, rear-door child protection locks, remote keyless entry with illuminated entry, Sentry Key engine immobilizer, speed-sensitive power locks, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes with low-speed traction control (ABS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

The 2011 Chrysler Nassau might replace the Sebring as this brand’s midsize car. If Nassau is what this car will be called, it might share some elements of its basic design with the 2007-2010 Sebring. It likely would only come as a 4-door sedan; we do not expect the 2-door convertible to return. Trim levels and powertrains are largely unknown at this point.

We expect a 4-cylinder and a V6 engine to be available. The 4-cylinder might be the 173-horsepower 2.4-liter unit from the current Sebring. The V6 might be a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter borrowed from the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. A 6-speed automatic likely will be the sole transmission. Available safety features should include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags.

Among the available features should be Chrysler’s Uconnect multimedia suite, which can include a hard drive that can hold music or picture files, a wireless cell-phone link, and a navigation system with real-time traffic information. Other available features likely will include remote engine start and heated leather or cloth front seats. We have not yet tested the 2011 Chrysler Nassau.

The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country lineup gains some new rear-seat entertainment options. Town & Country is built from the same design as the Dodge Grand Caravan but differs in trim and pricing. LX, Touring, and top-line Limited models are offered. The LX has a 175-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 and a 4-speed automatic transmission; it can run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. The Touring has a 197-horsepower 3.8-liter V6.

Optional on Touring and standard on Limited a 251-horsepower 4.0-liter V6. Touring and Limited have a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain-side airbags that cover all seating rows. Available on Touring and Limited are a blind-spot-alert system and a feature Chrysler calls “Rear Cross Path.” It activates when the transmission is in reverse, and detects any traffic moving toward the vehicle. The standard seating arrangement is Chrysler’s Stow ‘n Go system, which has 2nd- and 3rd-row seats that fold flush into the floor. An optional seating group includes Chrysler’s Swivel ‘n Go seating.

This arrangement has 2nd-row seats that rotate to face rearward, a removable table that fits between the 2nd and 3rd rows, and a flush-folding 3rd row. Options include a sunroof and dual-screen DVD entertainment. Also available is Chrysler’s Uconnect multimedia suite, which can include a 30-gigabyte hard drive that can hold music or picture files, a wireless cell-phone link, satellite radio, a navigation system with real-time traffic information, and a satellite TV system which broadcasts kid-friendly TV programming on the DVD entertainment screens. Newly available on Town & Country is FLO TV, which allows pre-recorded and live TV broadcasts via terrestrial airwaves to play on the DVD screens.

The 2010 Chrysler Sebring gets slightly freshened exterior and interior styling. Sebring is available as either a 4-door sedan or 2-door convertible. All are front-wheel drive. Sedans come in a single Limited trim level; the Touring sedan has been discontinued. Convertibles come as the LX, LXi, and Limited.

Sedans and the LX convertible have a 173-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 186-horsepower 2.7-liter V6 that can run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel is standard on LXi convertibles. A 235-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is standard on Limited convertibles and optional on sedans. The 2.4- and 2.7-liter engines team with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The 3.5 V6 uses a 6-speed automatic. The LX and LXi convertibles have a power soft top, and Limited convertibles have a power-retractable hard top.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags (on sedans), and front-side airbags. Also available is Chrysler’s Uconnect multimedia suite, which can include a 30-gigabyte hard drive that can hold music or picture files, a wireless cell-phone link, and a navigation system with real-time traffic information. Other available features include remote engine start and heated leather or cloth front seats.