2012 Chrysler 200 Limited Review

When Chrysler debuted the 200 for 2011, it was hailed as a massive improvement over the lackluster Sebring it replaced. The upgraded interior, and available Pentastar V6 power, gave it the upper hand in the midsize market. Since its debut, however, the 200 has seen many of its competitors receive upgrades. Has the 2012 Chrysler 200 held onto its competitive nature, or has it been relegated to rental fleet status by its fellow contenders? Read on to see how our 2012 Chrysler 200 Limited fares against its rivals.

At first glance, the 200 appears dis-proportioned or a bit ungainly, but allow the eyes a few moments to wander. While it is saddled with the odd shape of the previous Sebring, the work done at both the front and back have given the new car a style that should age well. The new, rounded, grille and headlamp treatments, with LED accents, create a look of luxurious sophistication that denies the cars bargain pricing. Out back the new lengthened Chrysler “wing” logo, and a heavy chrome strip across the trunk lid, bring together the new LED enhanced taillamps. With the 18-inch polished wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips on our tester, the 200 fares well against the mid-size sedan market. Competitors like the new Hyundai Sonata may hold more a touch more visual appeal, but to discount the 200 on aesthetics alone would be a disservice to a handsome vehicle.

While the exterior may be middle-of-the-road, the interior of the 200 is top notch. Gone are the cheap plastics from the Sebring, instead replaced with higher quality and soft touch materials. The two-toned look of the Light Frost Beige leather seating contrasted with the black dash and console give the cabin an air of sophistication that many rivals can’t beat. The chrome-look trim pieces around the vents add detail and complete the look. The leather seats of our tester wear very comfortable, and provided us with mile after mile of comfortable cruising. We would prefer a slight increase in side bolstering for twisty roads, but the 200 wasn’t meant to be a back-road bomber. The center stack is well organized and easy to operate. The large knobs for the climate control are well labeled and well within reach for easy adjustment. The buttons around the large touchscreen, while easy to use, could be labeled with larger print for those with sight problems.

While the seats and ergonomics are very good, they are not nearly as impressive as the entertainment system. Our test car came equipped with the optional six Boston Acoustics speakers. When paired with the upgraded Media Center 730N stereo and its 6.5-inch touchscreen, we were treated to class leading entertainment. The stereo is capable of accepting a multitude of formats including CD, DVD, MP3 and an auxiliary jack is also present. The system aslo comes equipped navigation, satellite radio and Gracenote Music ID. There is also a 40GB HDD so owners no longer have to carry around large CD collections, they can all be stored locally in the stereo.

While spending time in the front two seats may be exceptionally comfortable, rear passengers may feel less so. The bench across the back seat lacks support, and the seats could use a bit more padding. The leather work is still up to par with the rest of the cabin, however. While still nicely appointed, the rear seats lack the room available in many competitors. Shoulder space is plentiful, but leg room can be at a premium for taller occupants. They will suffice for short trips, but any cross-country trekking should be limited to child-size passengers only.

While the back seat may not be suitable for long trips, the 200 has a powertrain that encourages driving. While every 200 model except the S comes equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, smart buyers will opt for the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 found in our tester. The four-cylinder is a fine engine in most respects, but the Pentastar is without equal among the competition. Its impressive power output of 283 horsepower is more than any other V6 in its class, and even beats some of the forced induction engines such as that in the Optima Turbo.

While it may be the most powerful, it also manages to be very gentle to the fuel gauge. The EPA estimates that you should see mpg rating of 19 city/29 hwy. We managed a very respectable 25 mpg across mixed (fairly enthusiastic) driving. Part of this fuel economy is thanks to the 200’s six-speed automatic transmission. The autobox is smooth and engaging with fairly intelligent shift logic. Many lesser gearboxes stumble through gears, but the 200 was never confused by a stomp of the pedal. Instead it met our demand for power with a quick downshift and off we went. It made freeway passing a breeze and we never felt like we would miss a gap in traffic due to a dimwitted gear change. This engine and transmission combination are must have for anyone considering a 200.

When leaving the highways behind, the 200 finds itself a capable ride through the backroads of america. The steering, while not very communicative, was well weighted and made the 200 easy to navigate through multiple bends.The suspension does give in during hard cornering allowing a fair amount of body roll, but the car never felt ungainly. When not being tortured around corners the car was quick to soak up bumps and broken pavement keeping the interior serene and comfortable.

Pricing for the 200 begins at $18,995 (MSRP less destination), but buyers must opt for the slightly more expensive Limited trim to be given the option of the Pentastar V6. Our Deep Cherry Red Crystal Limited model started with a base price of $24,070. Add $1,795 for the Customer Preferred Package with the Pentastar engine, $475 for the Boston Acoustics speakers, $695 for the upgraded stereo unit with navigation and the $750 destination charge, and our grand total comes to $27,785. A comparably equipped Honda accord will crest $30,000 making the 200 a great bargain as well.

Overall the Chrysler 200 is a massive improvement over the car that came before it. It is much more comfortable and capable than any Sebring, but still has to carry the burden of the former car’s design faults. The design is easily the worst part of an otherwise fine vehicle. It is a shame Chrysler was unable to enact these changes before the Sebring name became so tainted it was euthanized. So as it stands the Chrylser 200 is a great choice for any mid-size shopper, but with the updated Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion around the corner, Chrysler can’t afford to sit on its laurels. If Chrysler can continue down this path of rapid improvement and refinement, the 200 will be the benchmark for every other automaker to follow.

Photos: © Copyright 2012 Ossamah Shabbir