LX 4dr Sedan
2013 Chrysler 200 Review

Good value in a quiet midsize sedan or convertible.

Introduction

The midsize Chrysler 200 comes in sedan and convertible versions and offers a choice of two excellent engines. They are quiet underway, deliver better-than-average handling, and perform nicely when equipped with the 6-speed automatic transmission. The styling is simple, elegant and understated. Chrysler has come a long way with these cars. Its reasonable price, bevvy of standard equipment and good driving dynamics make the Chrysler 200 a solid choice among front-wheel-drive midsize cars.

For 2013, Chrysler replaces the 200 S model with an S package available on the Touring and Limited trim levels. The 2013 Chrysler 200 Touring S package upgrades with 18-inch aluminum wheels, a black finish grille, fog lamp bezels, projector fog lamps and black treatment headlamps. The 2013 Chrysler 200 Limited S package upgrades further with interior enhancements including leather-trimmed bucket seats and a perforated leather steering wheel.

The standard engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 173 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. A 4-speed automatic transmission is standard on the LX, but we recommend opting for the 6-speed automatic.

The Chrysler 200 Limited features a 3.6-liter V6 good for 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed automatic is standard. The V6 is an option on the Chrysler 200 Touring model.

Fuel economy for Chrysler 200 sedan with the four-cylinder engine is an EPA-estimated 20/31 mpg City/Highway with the 6-speed automatic (21/29 with the 4-speed automatic). Chrysler 200 convertibles with the four-cylinder rate a less impressive 18/27 mpg. With the V6, EPA estimates are 19/29 mpg City/Highway for all sedan and convertible models.

We found the Chrysler 200 offers a smooth ride, a solid feel and surprisingly tight handling. The cabin is very quiet thanks to ample sound absorption materials, an acoustic glass windshield and laminated side glass usually found in higher priced vehicles. The four-cylinder engine uses special engine mounts to reduce noise.

The interior is tasteful, with high-quality materials and supportive seats. The instrument panel's gray-on-gray graphics are pleasing, and its white accent lighting is wonderful at night, with nice ambient cockpit lighting.

Because the Chrysler 200 is smaller than many midsize cars, rear legroom suffers a bit, as does cargo space on hardtop models. Surprisingly, though, the convertible's trunk is relatively roomy, thanks to an efficient storage design for the drop-top.

Although the Chrysler 200 sedan is a perfectly capable vehicle, it's overshadowed by many models in the class that have been redesigned or refreshed in the past year or two, including the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry. Other competitors worth considering include the Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata. Of all of these, the Chrysler 200 has the most old-school feel. Convertible competitors are less plentiful. The Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro are more performance-oriented. The Volkswagen Eos is pricier, but features a retractable hardtop.

The Chrysler 200 comes with a 5-year 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and is built at Chrysler's assembly plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Lineup

The 2013 Chrysler 200 LX ($18,995) is powered by the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes cloth upholstery, manually operated air conditioning, manually adjustable front seats with driver's lumbar support, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, illuminated keyless entry, power door locks and windows, a, four-speaker sound system with CD player, steering wheel controls, 60/40 split folding rear seat, heated folding side-view mirrors and 17-inch steel wheels.

The Chrysler 200 Touring model ($21,995) upgrades to the 6-speed automatic transmission, automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-way power driver seat, a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio and automatic headlamps. Standard wheels are 17-inch alloys, with two 18-inch wheel designs optional. Touring Convertible models ($27,100) get six-way power front seats and a power cloth top.

Options include Chrysler's Uconnect handsfree system ($395) with Bluetooth streaming audio capability, USB port and auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated microphone. An upgraded version ($695) adds a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with DVD player and 40 GB hard drive. The Cold Weather package ($295) adds heated front seats and remote start. The S exterior package ($495) includes 18-inch aluminum polished painted wheels, black finish grille and fog lamp bezels, projector fog lamps, black treatment headlamps, black inlay Chrysler badge and S badge.

Limited sedans ($24,685) and convertibles ($32,095) are powered by the V6 engine and mated to the 6-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include leather heated front seats, a six-speaker Boston Acoustics audio system and fog lamps. The S Package for Limited sedans ($495) includes leather-trimmed bucket seats and perforated leather steering wheel in addition to the exterior enhancements found on the S package for the Touring models.

The 2013.5 Chrysler 200 S Special Edition ($28,870) features interior appointments developed with Carhartt work clothes, premium leather seats, Boston Acoustic premium sound system, perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and special 18-inch wheels.

Chrysler 200 convertible S models ($32,595) include everything on the Limited plus heated leather seats with S embroidery, suede seat inserts and door trim bolster, a perforated leather steering wheel, a 276-watt Boston Acoustics sound system, black headlamp surrounds and fog lamp bezels, a black grille and 18-inch painted aluminum wheels.

Mopar, Chrysler's performance brand, offers sports suspension, special induction and exhaust pieces and other parts to improve handling and performance.

Safety equipment on all models includes advanced multistage front driver and passenger air bags, supplemental front-seat mounted air bags, side curtain airbags, active head restraints, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability control, and electronic traction control, and tire pressure monitor.

Walkaround

The Chrysler 200 is not a car that gathers second looks. It bears family resemblance to the Town and Country minivan, particularly noticeable in the headlamps, air intakes and front bumper. The Chrysler 200 front air dam is clean: low, thin, and horizontal. Its halogen headlights appear small from head-on, but flow around the front corners into the bulging fenders, creating a line that widens to the rear of the car. It's bold, but not fancy.

The rear deck lid looks chopped, with a chrome strip between LED taillamps and another chrome bar between the exhaust outlets that widens the look of the car. It bears a wing logo in brushed metal and blue.

Interior

The Chrysler 200 cabin is nice, with seat coverings and trim that feel soft and luxurious. The seats feel supportive and should be comfortable for long periods behind the wheel.

Rear legroom measures just 36.2 inches, which is on the short side for a midsize car. Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion offer 38.3 inches of rear legroom, by comparison, though the Chrysler edges the Lexus ES, at 35.9. The rear seat is split 60/40 and folds down for more cargo space, which is always appreciated.

The instrument panel contains the usual three round gauges, with gray-on-gray graphics that are pleasing to the eye, while its white accent lighting is wonderful at night. The three-spoke steering wheel has a thick leather-wrapped rim and padded hub with controls for the sound system and cruise setting. Armrests are soft, and door pockets roomy. Some models have two USB ports, handy for phone and laptop charging.

The Chrysler 200 cabin is one of the quietest in the segment, thanks to sound absorption materials, an acoustic glass windshield, laminated side glass usually found in higher priced vehicles, and a special engine mounting setup for the 2.4-liter engine.

Driving Impression

The standard powerplant for the Chrysler 200 is the 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder world engine Chrysler shares with Mitsubishi and Hyundai. With dual variable valve timing, the power is good at both low and high rpm, and its 166 foot-pounds of torque are sufficient for the demands of its owners. The engine has proven itself reliable, over the years around the world, while delivering good gas mileage.

Fuel economy is an EPA-rated 20/31 mpg City/Highway with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 6-speed automatic transmission in a Chrysler 200 Touring sedan.

In models equipped with the inline-4, we were impressed by how smooth and solid the 200 feels. Even the convertible feels like it's put together well. We noticed very little road noise, and the ride was smooth and solid. The Chrysler 200 also corners really well, with little body roll.

The 6-speed automatic transmission is seamless and not over-programmed. We strongly recommend it over the 4-speed automatic that comes standard on the base model.

The optional V6 engine makes 283 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque. During our test drive we noticed some wind and tire noise at highway speeds. But this is the price you pay for more aggressive tires, and we wouldn't call it unbearable.

Using third and fourth gears on the mountain two-lanes, the V6-powered Chrysler 200 showed off its ample power and acceleration. According to Chrysler, the engine makes more than 90 percent of its peak torque from 1600 rpm all the way up to redline 6400, and our mountain driving supports that, as we had plenty of torque and acceleration coming off slow corners. The engine has a nice, powerful growl when it's working, and you can't hear it when it's not.

The V6 gives up very little to the four-cylinder in fuel mileage, with a strong EPA rating of 19/29 mpg City/Highway.

Summary

The Chrysler 200 is a midsize car that offers exceptional value. Available in sedan and convertible versions, it's smooth and quiet and feels solid. Two excellent engines are available and both get good gas mileage, aided by the sweet 6-speed automatic transmission.

New Car Test Drive correspondents Laura Burstein, Sam Moses, and Jim McCraw contributed to this report.

Model Lineup

Chrysler 200 LX ($18,995); Touring ($21,995); Limited ($24,685); Touring Convertible ($27,100); Limited Convertible ($32,095); S Convertible ($32,595).