Test Drive: 2011 Chrysler 200 Limited sedan

2011 Chrysler 200 Limited. Click image to enlarge

More Chrysler 200 reviews on Autos.ca Manufacturer’s web site Chrysler Canada

Review and photos by Greg Wilson

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2011 Chrysler 200

Since Fiat S.p.A, led by its Italian-Canadian CEO, Sergio Marchionne, became a part owner of Chrysler in 2009, there’s been a noticeable improvement in Chrysler vehicles’ overall quality and performance. We can’t say for sure that the new management is responsible for these changes, but we can say that in our recent test drives of the refreshed Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, and Dodge Charger, we came away impressed with how much better these vehicles were than their predecessors.

2011 Chrysler 200 Limited. Click image to enlarge

It’s the same story with the reworked mid-size Chrysler 200 sedan, formerly the Sebring. Frankly, the Sebring ranked pretty low on our list of desirable mid-size sedans, and we weren’t expecting a lot of the new 200; but the upgrades to its optional V6 powertrain, suspension and interior have made a big difference.

Chrysler’s new 3.6-litre “Pentastar” V6 engine, now used in many of Chrysler’s vehicles, was voted one of Ward’s Ten Best Engines for 2011. This 3.6-litre DOHC 24-valve V6 combines generous power and torque with decent fuel economy when compared to the previous 3.5-litre V6. Its class-leading horsepower is up to 283 from 235 and torque is up to 260 pound-feet from 232.

Consumer Reports’ acceleration test of the Chrysler 200 Limited sedan shows a 0 to 60 mph time of just 6.8 seconds. Indeed, from a standing start, the driver needs to be careful not to press the gas pedal too hard because it’s easy to chirp the front tires under hard acceleration and invoke some torque-steer, particularly in slippery conditions; despite the fact that the 200 comes with standard traction control.

2011 Chrysler 200 Limited. Click image to enlarge

Though more powerful, fuel consumption is down: Natural Resources Canada fuel economy ratings (L/100 km) for the 3.6-litre V6 are 11/6.8 city/hwy (26/42 mpg) compared to the previous V6 with 12.9/7.7 city/hwy (22/37 mpg). Some credit for the improved fuel economy must go to the six-speed automatic transmission which has a highway gear that enhances fuel economy: engine revs at 100 km/h are just 1,700 rpm. However, this transmission is often reluctant to change down gears when the gas pedal is prodded, preferring to stay in a higher gear to maintain better fuel economy. We found that a deeper stab of the gas pedal will provoke a gear change and a rush of power for effortless passing. If desired, the driver can shift manually by slipping the lever back into manual mode, and tapping the left to shift down, or right to shift up.

The standard engine in the Chrysler 200 remains the 173-hp 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a standard four-speed automatic transmission or optional six-speed automatic. Though some other mid-size sedans do just fine with their four-cylinder engines, Chrysler’s engine is rather noisy and underpowered, and we’d recommend the V6 over the four.

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.

2011 Chrysler 200 Limited. Click image to enlarge

Inside, the leather interior in our Limited test car was a charcoal black colour with subtle white stitching, and the instrument panel was black with a tasteful use of chrome and silver trim that turned a potentially sombre interior into a classy cabin. We liked the new dash, door and armrest materials that have a quality appearance and are soft to the touch. However, we noticed the leather in the driver’s seat cushion looked loose and the side bolster looked worn, even though the car had only 6,400 km on it.

Both front seats are power operated and include two-temperature seat heaters. The driver’s seat includes a manual lumbar adjuster and the steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach. Headroom and legroom is generous in the front and rear seats and there’s extra footroom under the front seats for rear passengers.

Behind the fat, leather-wrapped steering wheel are three bright, backlit gauges and sharp green-on-black digital displays for outside temperature, compass, odometer and transmission.

In the centre stack, our car had the optional 430N AM/FM/Sat/CD/DVD/MP3/HDD/NAV system ($1,200) which comprises a 6.5-inch touch-screen, 40-GB hard drive, and integrated Garmin Navigation system. Our car also included the optional six Boston Acoustics speakers ($240) which provided clear, undistorted sound. For personal music devices, there are USB and auxiliary jacks next to the touch-screen, another USB and 12 volt powerpoint at the bottom of the centre stack next to an open bin, and another powerpoint under the centre armrest.

The touch-screen is used to adjust the audio, navigation, telephone and information functions, while the climate controls comprise of three simple round dials below. The optional 430N navigation system in our test car didn’t have voice-activation, but there is another optional Nav system with voice activation available. We found the large screen graphics easy to read and the touch-screen easy to navigate. Still, having to switch from navigation screen to the audio screen to change radio stations requires more steps than simply pressing a traditional pre-select button or turning a dial. It takes longer and is more of a distraction when driving. Fortunately, major audio and telephone functions can be operated from the steering wheel – the audio volume and channel select buttons are located on the back of the steering wheel spokes where they are easy to adjust with your forefingers while driving – personally, I like this design the best.

The 200 includes split folding rear seatbacks plus a pass-through behind the rear centre armrest. The rear armrest also includes two cupholders. The fully lined and carpeted trunk includes an insulated trunk lid to reduce booming in the cabin, and outside struts which don’t impede trunk space. However, the trunk’s size of 394 litres (13.9 cu. ft.) is smaller than average for a mid-size sedan.

Standard safety features include standard front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags, four head restraints, and active front head restraints, but a centre rear head restraint is not offered. The 2011 Chrysler 200 received a Top Pick crash test rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2011.