 2011 Chrysler 200 Limited. Click image to enlarge |
Refinements to the 200’s suspension and increased use of sound absorption materials have greatly improved the 200s ride and cabin quietness. The suspension absorbs bumps and road cracks well and the highway ride is blissful, helped in part by the lack of road noise and suspension noises. The Goodyear Eagle LS 225/50R18-inch all-season tires on my car offered a good mix of a quiet ride and decent handling. Braking distances are good: according to Consumer Reports, it brakes from 60 mph in 42.6 metres (140 ft.). Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard. Electronic stability control becomes standard on all trim levels for the 2012 model year – it wasn’t available on the 2011 LX.
The Chrysler 200 is not a performance sedan, though: the handling is too soft, the steering is vague, and the turning circle (12.4 metres/41 ft.) is quite wide. If you’re looking for comfort and driving ease – arguably more important in the daily commute – the 200 is a good choice.
The driver’s forward view is good but the rear view is somewhat hindered by the high sides, and high rear deck. This is particularly noticeable when backing into a parking space. A rear-view camera or parking sensors are sorely needed in the 200.
 2011 Chrysler 200 Limited. Click image to enlarge |
In Canada, 2011 Chrysler 200s come in three trim levels, LX ($19,995), Touring ($23,995) and Limited ($27,995). Prices for 2012 models haven’t changed but a new top model, the S ($28,995), has been added.
At the time of this writing, Chrysler was offering discounts of between $2,000 and $3,000 off its 2012 MSRPs, making the 200 possibly the least expensive mid-size sedan you can buy.
Base LX sedans come with the four-cylinder engine and standard four-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include 17-inch all-seasons, air conditioning, power windows, remote door unlocking, height-adjustable driver’s seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, split folding rear seatbacks and CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary jack.
The Touring sedan adds alloy wheels, automatic climate control, heated front seats, power driver’s seat, leather steering wheel, satellite radio, and remote starter.
 2011 Chrysler 200 Limited. Click image to enlarge |
Limited sedans add 18-inch tires and polished alloys, dual exhaust tips, leather seats, UConnect hands-free voice command and Bluetooth, iPod connector, automatic up and down power windows.
The new 2012 200 S trim adds polished alloys with black pockets, black grille, black headlamp surrounds, suede inserts in the leather seats, perforated leather wrapped steering wheel, Boston Acoustics audio system, CD/DVD player, 40-GB hard drive and touch-screen, and body-coloured mirrors and door handles.
The 200’s revised exterior styling is tidier and a more upscale than the Sebring’s, with the taillights looking suspiciously like those of a BMW 7 Series. It’s a clean design but not very distinctive. Our test car was a 2011 Limited sedan in a “Blackberry Pearl” exterior paint which looked great when it was washed, but was quick to show dirt and dust.
