By Paul Sisolak on September 29, 2015 at 10:54 AM
If there’s one thing that tends to raise anticipation more than unveiling a new car on the market, it’s announcing a redesign of an existing one, since consumer criticisms are often the catalyst for making changes in the first place.
So when Chrysler repositioned its 200 sedan last year with the slogan “America’s Import,” it infused new, European-inspired styling and sportier enhancements inside and out. The automaker aimed to jazz up the car, distancing it from the tired midsize family market.
It’s no doubt helped—according to Automotive News, the strength of the current 200 helped Chrysler boost its sales 28 percent this summer.
Does the Chrysler 200 truly live up to these numbers? Will 2016 be another banner year for the redesigned four-door, or will it go through the dreaded sophomore slump? AxleGeeks took the opportunity to break down the specifics on fuel economy, performance, cargo space and other features to help shoppers decide if Detroit’s self-proclaimed exotic is the right buy.
2016 Chrysler 200 Price
The Chrysler 200 has some stiff competition in the likes of the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Mazda 6 and Toyota Camry, yet impresses with an MSRP of $21,995 that’s 18 percent cheaper than other midsize sedans. Its segment peers notwithstanding, the 200 is also $12,402 cheaper (a 36-percent margin) than all four-doors on the market, both compact and large.
2016 Chrysler 200 Fuel Economy
From point A to point B, the 2016 Chrysler 200 gets just one mile per gallon less in fuel economy (23 mpg) than its class. At 36 mpg, two fewer on the highway than the average, its combined economy is 29 mpg. Despite these numbers, the 200’s city range is 20 percent less than other midsize cars. On the highway, it offers 8.7 percent less.
2016 Chrysler 200 Horsepower and Torque
The 2016 200 packs a 4-cylinder, 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir engine, sending 184 horsepower to the front wheels. At a higher-output, 3.6-liter, its V6 Pentastar produces 295 HP. Both versions are powered by a 9-speed automatic transmission. Opt for the higher S sport model or C trim level and a sport mode allows manual shifting via steering wheel-mounted paddles.
The base 4-cylinder 200 is about average when put side by side against its contemporaries; 184 HP is only about 1 HP less than other midsize sedans, not uncommon for its class.
2016 Chrysler 200 Power-to-Weight Ratio
At 3,473 pounds, the 2016 200 is about 42 pounds heavier than other midsize sedans and 54 pounds lighter than bigger sedans. This translates into an average, if only decent, power-to-weight ratio—the car’s power output in relation to its weight.
The 200’s ultimate ratio is 18.9 pounds per HP, a small, 4.4-percent deficit against comparably sized cars, where the Chrysler must pull 0.8 more pounds per every 1 HP.
2016 Chrysler 200 Front-Row Dimensions
We took the measuring tape inside the new 200 and discovered that this second iteration of Chrysler’s redesign offers less headroom and legroom —in the front and back seats—than other midsize sedans, but slightly edges out other four-doors across the spectrum.
The driver and front-seat passenger are accommodated 38.7 inches of headroom, 0.4 of an inch less in its segment overall, and 42.2 inches of legroom, 0.7 of an inch less.
2016 Chrysler 200 Back-Row Dimensions
Back seat dimensions are almost identical down to the inch. Rear seat passengers can enjoy 37.4 inches of headroom, 37.6 inches of legroom—still less than other midsize sedans (0.4 and 0.5 of an inch, respectively), but hopefully not enough to dissuade shoppers.
What might persuade buyers to go for the 200, however, is its slightly more ample legroom compared to other sedans, at 1.8 inches above the average.
2016 Chrysler 200 Cargo Space
What’s the point of a family sedan that can’t fit the entire family and your stuff? When shopping for a midsize, it’s important that there’s enough trunk space to fit luggage, camping and sports gear, baby strollers, or even a set of golf clubs. The 200’s 16 cubic feet of rear cargo room thankfully measures up. It’s 0.2 cubic feet more than other sedans in its class, 1.8 cubic feet more compared to vehicles outside its class.
2016 Chrysler 200 Overview
Form and function is a balance that the 2016 Chrysler 200—like the 2015 version—appears to get right. Gone are the bland stylings of the car’s first generation, replaced with Fiat-derived exteriors, headlamps, and near-luxury-level interior materials.
Though some of its numbers are average when it comes to fuel economy and interior room, shoppers will be impressed with the 200’s cargo capacity and its modest pricing, affordable enough for budget-minded motorists, and for those looking to upgrade to higher trim levels without breaking the bank.
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