All-New 2015 Chrysler 200 Sedan

This is the all-new Chrysler 200, the potential redeemer of a mid-size sedan that has been relegated to the back-burner for, well, all its life. No longer a simple mid-cycle refresh of a lackluster vehicle (the Sebring), the latest 200 has been completely redesigned, gaining a more sophisticated look, more luxury and, hopefully, better ride quality.

The Sebring is one of the goofiest vehicles I have ever laid eyes on. Its bulbous front end, tapered trunk and squished side profile made it look like a caricature of a bad car, which it was. Considering that the first 200 was just a Sebring with slightly prettier face and butt, it too was goofy, especially from the side. Fortunately, the same can’t be said about its successor.



The latest 200 is distinctive and — if you squint just a little — mimics an Aston Martin DB7, a Tesla Model S and an Audi A7 from certain angles. Some would say the front end is a bit too busy with its prominent lower grille and extravagant detailing, but I think it blends well with the car’s more subtle side profile and rear end. One problem I have, however, is how insubstantial it looks. Whereas cars like the Ford Fusion and Mazda6 look more expensive than they actually are, Chrysler’s mid-size sedan presents itself as a nicely-dressed compact sedan — like a Chrysler-fied Dodge Dart, if I dare say.

Fortunately, the interior is all class, probably the classiest in the segment. It reminds me a lot of the Audi A8′s, which is as a good a compliment as it gets. The floating stack with a pass-through storage area for both the driver and front passenger is a very nice touch, while the wood trim (faux or otherwise) and metallic accents look more convincing that in some more expensive vehicles.

As expected Chrysler’s 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system — arguably the best in the industry — is the centerpiece of the cockpit, but it’s an option. Buyers that forgo it will instead get a standard five-inch touchscreen that is not as capable. Other interior highlights include a five- or optional seven-inch TFT display in the instrument cluster, push-start ignition, a rotary dial for the transmission and an electronic parking brake.

Along with a more striking exterior and classy interior comes a more fuel-efficient lineup of engines. The standard unit is a 2.4-liter TigerShark inline four that produces 184 horsepower and 173 lb-ft (234 Nm) of torque, while an optional 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 making 295 hp and 262 lb-ft (354 Nm) provides a compelling alternative for those seeking more power. Both are connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission that is controlled via the aforementioned rotary dial. Chrysler is touting a fuel-economy rating of at least 35 mpg in highway driving.

For the first-time ever, the 200 is available with an all-wheel-drive system, one that can automatically disconnect the rear axle.

The 2015 Chrysler 200 debuted at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show and will have a starting pricing of $21,700, excluding a $995 destination fee, when U.S. sales begin later in 2014. Canadian pricing will be released closer to the car’s launch in the country.