Redesigned 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan makes a good first impression

 

 

                   

By Gordon Hard

Chrysler dropped by our auto test center in late March and showed us three early-production versions of its redesigned 2015 200. This car could turn out to be a winner—a stylish midsized sedan and technically advanced competitor that is more than just a safe and conservative crowd-pleaser when it goes on sale in May.

The 200 makes a good first impression. The sedan looks sleek and modern, and it has a ton of well-integrated modern technology, such as an easy to use touch-screen infotainment center, and, on up-level models, a powerful V6 and a full complement of high-tech safety gear.

Most 200s will be midtrim Limited versions with a 184-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive, priced in the mid-$20,000 range. The standard transmission is a nine-speed automatic. That mouthful of gears was introduced on the Jeep Cherokee last year with mixed results, but based on our initial drive, it seems to be better developed in this car.

The higher-trim 200C and 200S can be equipped with a strong 295-hp, 3.6-liter V6, with prices that will span from the high $20s to the upper $30s. With the V6, the 200 offers optional all-wheel drive; only the Buick Regal, Ford Fusion, and Subaru Legacy offer AWD in this category. It also has a larger and more sophisticated touch-screen control center than the Limited version and other contemporary bells and whistles.

The 200 has a very spacious and space-efficient front cabin. An all-electronic shifter and parking brake allows for a big open storage space below the center console, where you can stash all manner of travel essentials, such as a pocket book or a Nook, pens, paper, or phone. Behind that is a thickly padded center armrest that serves as the lid of a big, deep storage bin.

Our first drive suggests that the ride is supple and well controlled. Handling is fairly nimble but not overtly sporty. Power from the four-cylinder engine may not be thrilling, but it’s ample and noise isolation is commendable.

 

Chrysler put lots of effort into cabin quietness and it’s paying off. The 200 seems a good deal quieter than a Hyundai Sonata or Mazda6; now it sounds more like a Buick Regal or Ford Fusion. The nine-speed automatic shifts smoothly, although downshifts don’t always come at will. Whether it’s meaningfully better than a good six-speed or is just a can-you-top-this marketing ploy is open to debate. In any case, it seems to work well here, so we’re not complaining.

This car has a beefy, substantial feel: the doors and trunk lid close with a reassuringly solid thunk. The interior looks tailored, too, with well-padded and neatly stitched details. Though by no means a luxury car, there’s a premium-car atmosphere here.

The slanting, coupelike rear roof line means that’s it’s too easy to bang your head when entering the rear seats, but once you’re there, it’s sufficiently accommodating. Head room is decent for six-footers and the front seatbacks have been carved out a little to yield more knee space for rear-seat passengers. The trunk is large, but, unfortunately, the cheap trunk hinges and visible wiring are at odds with the rest of the car.
 

In total, our initial impressions are mostly positive. We’ll have a more comprehensive judgment when we’ve tested our own 200 in a few months.

—Gordon Hard     

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.