Car Review: 2015 Chrysler 200 S AWD Review By John Heilig
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The 2015 Chrysler 200 is a very capable car...
THE AUTO PAGE
By John Heilig
Reviewed Model: 2015 Chrysler 200 S AWD
Engine: 3.6-liter V6
Horsepower/Torque: 295 hp @ 6,350 rpm/262 lb.-ft. @ 4,250 rpm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 108.0 in.
Length x Width x Height: 192.3 x 73.6 x 58.7 in.
Tires: P225/40R19
Cargo: 16.0 cu. ft.
Economy: 18 mpg city/29 mpg highway/23.0 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 15.8 gal.
Curb Weight: 3,473 lbs.
Sticker: $33,470 (includes $995 destination, $3,780 options)
The Bottom Line: The Chrysler 200 has a nice ride, combined with good handling. It’s comfortable on long and short rides. There’s good power when it’s needed.
Chrysler’s 200 is more than just another entry in the crowded mid-size field. This successor to the Sebring has good power and handling combined with the first 9-speed automatic I’ve driven (knowingly).
I had some concerns, though. For example, I felt the options were overpriced, while the 200 itself wasn’t. There’s one option ($795) that includes sun visors (?), dual zone air conditioning, a heated steering wheel, back-up camera, heated front seats, remote start and a humidity sensor. Does this mean that if you don’t order the full package you don’t get sun visors?
Navigation and sound adds another $1,495, premium lights $795 and 19-inch wheels $695. Most of these seem overpriced by my experience.
That considered, the 200 has some interesting features, chief among which are a comfortable ride and decent power. The automatic transmission is a 9-speed, which is basically seamless to the driver. But the shifter is a knurled knob at the base of the center stack, which is totally cool. The bad news is that I kept changing the volume on the next car I drove every time I wanted to shift. If you want to shift manually, there are paddles behind the steering wheel.
I thought the speedometer was difficult to read. It has white lines for the mile speeds (25, 35, 45, etc.) and blue blips for the 0s. One of the options for the center-mounted information center is a digital speedometer, so once I got that set I could basically ignore the analog speedo. This was important because I would have been constantly abusing the speed limit if I didn’t monitor my speed.
In the center of the dash is a large clear screen for navigation and audio. The navigation is easy to program for your destination. When I knew a shortcut and took it rather than the suggested route, the nav system recalculated quickly.
Another nice touch was the center-mounted pair of cupholders. Push the lever next to them and a deep storage compartment opens that includes 12-volt, USB and AUX outlets. There’s also a deep console under the center arm rest.
The front seats are comfortable with good side support. There’s an “S” stitched into the seat backs. The rear seats are also comfortable with good leg room. I hit my head entering the back seat, though. The rear seats have their own HVAC controls, and the pull-down arm rest has a pair of cupholders.
Upholstery for both the front and rear seats is a cloth/leather mix that was attractive.
Out back there’s a good trunk that can hold two golf bags at least. The key fob opens the trunk remotely. There’s also a remote engine start on the fob which I found very handy. The rear seat backs fold easily to increase trunk capacity.
The good news is that the 2015 Chrysler 200 is a very capable car. It has everything a driver could want. The bad news is that it is a late entry in a crowded field, and while it’s a very nice car, it doesn’t have anything that will totally knock your socks off and make you want to run down to your local Chrysler dealer and order one.
© 2014 The Auto Page
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