8 February 2011
At last Chrysler have added a vehicle to their armoury, which will appeal more to the mainstream buying public. And in doing so, have created more opportunities for showroom traffic looking at the mid-size sedan segment of the market.
Other Chrysler offerings currently on the market include the hot rod inspired PT Cruiser and the big, bold and muscular looking 300c, which are hardly mainstream and by sheer looks alone, polarise potential buyers almost instantly. While many marvel at the style these vehicles exhibit, and secretly desire to own one, it often takes the high-risk takers in the market and those who wish to sit outside the norm to actually commit to purchasing. Not so the Sebring, which would sit comfortably in the garage of many suburban homes and compares favourably to the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Euro, Mazda6 and the newly released Holden Epica.
Don't get us wrong here, the Sebring is far from conservative and boring; it has a unique exterior styling, which sets it apart from the mid-size sedan pack and provides a point of difference that may appeal to those looking at the, "same but different" type of vehicle. Examining the fit and finish of the outside panels it's clear Chrysler could improve in this area when compared to its competitors, however we urge considering the total vehicle package and price when doing the comparisons and sums.
The Sebring is being released into the market in one model specification only. The sedan 'Limited' model is powered by a 2.4 litre petrol engine with a four speed automatic transmission; retail pricing has been set at $42,990. A 2.7 litre petrol and a 2.0 litre common rail diesel engine, both mated to a six-speed automatic will be available later this year or early in 2008, with a cabriolet version following in the near future.
The 2.4 DOHC World Engine (a joint venture with Hyundai and Mitsubishi) features dual variable timing (VVT), intake manifold flow valves and dual counter-rotating balance shafts. All designed to produced a smooth free revving and quiet unit with a claimed fuel consumption of just 8.8L/100km. Driving through the front wheels the engine produces 125kW of power and 220Nm of torque, which for the average driver is adequate. However the pending 2.7 litre petrol or 2.0-litre diesel, mated to the 6-speed auto will refine the driving experience even more, and for some will be worth the wait.
The Sebring is built on the Chrysler Group's new D-segment mid-size-car platform. It features a four-wheel independent front suspension with MacPherson struts and a multi-link rear suspension tuned to meet the needs of European style driving. On our recent press drive the vehicle impressed with its overall quiet ride and assured road handling.
Move inside the vehicle and clearly the use of hard plastics throughout hits you straight between the eyes; it's one comparison against its competitors the Sebring will never win. Another noticeable negative is the positioning of the glove box, with the lid landing against the passenger's knees when opening.
The Limited comes standard with leather trimmed and heated front seats, with the driver's chair having an 8-way electric operation. A two-tone interior colour theme of dark and lighter shades of Cream or Pebble Beige are available. Our choice would be the richer, Cream interior look.
Other interior comforts include climate air conditioning, cruise control, steering wheel mounted audio controls, heated door mirrors, vehicle information system (including tyre pressure readout) and a front cup-holder that can heat drinks to 60deg or chill them to just 2deg. A convenient in-dash 6 stack CD changer and MP3-compatable audio system and stylish analogue clock, complete with Chrysler wings help distract your gaze from the hard dash surfaces. A DVD player to entertain rear passengers is available as an option.
Active and passive safety features are top shelf with Electronic Stability Control (ESP), traction control, ABS anti-lock braking with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) all standard. Also standard and in addition to the advanced front airbags, are curtain and front seat-mounted side air bags along with child restraint anchor points.
If you're in the market for a mid-size sedan then the Sebring is worth more than a look and a test drive is the best way to appreciate the full package on offer. Though some may come away a little disappointed if high levels of fit and finish are a must have.