Elegant Chrysler 200 sedan offers leather, high-tech options, choice of 4 or 6 cylinders

By mysa-admin on December 9, 2015 at 10:32 AM

Chrysler’s five-passenger midsize sedan, the 200, received a complete redesign for 2015, and gets just a few tweaks for 2016, some model-specific.

Four models are available: LX, Limited, S and C, priced from $21,995 to $26,625 before add-ons.

The tweaks and additions include firmer front seats; an optional rearview camera for the Limited; and an exclusive 90^th Anniversary Edition for the Limited model, which includes the Convenience Group.

With the Anniversary Edition ($1,995 extra) comes with UConnect 8.4 with accessory switch bank, integrated voice command with Bluetooth, navigation capability, auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone, SiriusXM, special splash screen Anniversary logo on the 8.4-inch touchscreen, floor mats with the Anniversary logo, Anniversary badging, and a power express-open/close sunroof.

The 200 comes with a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 184 horsepower, but a 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 featuring a Sport drive mode is offered for the Limited, S, and C trims.

V-6 models can also be equipped with all-wheel drive, with front-wheel drive standard otherwise.

Both engines are connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission, with a rotary shifter knob on the center console and steering-wheel paddle shifters for the 200S, the sporty model, which I tested for this report.

The 200 is a flex-fuel vehicle, and is EPA rated at 23 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway for the front drive four-cylinder models. Six-cylinder models drop to 19/32 with front drive, and 18/29 with all-wheel drive.

All 200 models are well-equipped, with each model building on the previous, and options and packages available according to model selected.

The base LX ($21,995) has standard 17-inch steel wheels, keyless entry and start, center console with storage pass-through, cruise control, automatic headlights, manually adjustable front seats, air conditioning, tilt/telescopic steering wheel with cruise control and audio control switches, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and a four-speaker sound system with AM/FM radio and USB and auxiliary inputs.

An optional Uconnect package for $495 brings Bluetooth phone and audio and a 5-inch touchscreen.

The Limited ($24,370) continues with a UConnect package with voice command and voice texting (Android compatible), replaces steel wheels with tech-silver alloy, and adds a rearview camera, a compass, automatic halogen projector headlamps with LED light pipes, lower front grille with chrome surround, rear fascia chrome appliques, and a six-speaker sound system.

For $745, 18-inch satin-silver alloy wheels are available. Limited has more options available, including, but not limited to, the Convenience Group (separate from the Anniversary package) for $895, which adds body-color heated mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite radio, and eight-way power driver’s seat with four-way power lumbar, and sun visors with illuminated mirrors. A power express-open/close sunroof can be added for $995.

A Comfort Group for $645 includes automatic air conditioning with dual-zone control; heated front seats; heated steering wheel; humidity sensor; rear a/c and heat ducts; sun visors with illuminated mirrors; and auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone.

The 200S brings a sporty feel and all of Limited’s standard equipment, along with a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch satin-carbon aluminum wheels, fog lamps, gloss-black accented headlight bezels, grille and side window surrounds, heated mirrors, acoustic windshield and front door glass, black cloth sport seats with leather-trimmed bolsters, eight-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, satellite radio and upgraded interior trim.

My luxurious 200C (base price $27,570) tester came in Granite Crystal Metallic, one of nine exterior colors including Velvet Red Pearl, Black Forest Green Pearl, and Bright White.

Two standard interior colors are available for the 200C: Black and Black/Linen. My tester had optional premium leather-trimmed vent seats in Black/Deep Mocha part of a Premium Group for $995. Deep Mocha trimmed the seats, door panels and armrests. Premium leather-trimmed seats are also available in Black/Linen and Black.

My 200C included the same standard equipment as the 200S, plus the contents of the Comfort Group, and added the premium leather-trimmed heated/cooled bucket seats, with eight-way power driver’s seat and six-way power front passenger seat; remote vehicle start, and passive entry (driver and passenger doors and trunk). The suspension, however, was the Limited’s softer version.

The tester replaced the 200S’s 18-inch wheels with optional 19-inch aluminum with a polished face and painted pockets, for $995. The wheel package included heavy-duty antilock four-wheel disc brakes.

There were several options on the tested, also available for the 200S, including the Navigation and Sound Group ($895) with UConnect 8.4 NAV, nine Alpine speakers with subwoofer, Alpine 506-watt amplifier, HD radio, SiriusXM Traffic/Travel. SiriusXM provides information on accidents, scheduled road closings, traffic flow and more. The service is integrated with UConnect to help drivers select the best route based on real-time conditions.

The Premium Package also brought an illuminated 115-volt auxiliary power outlet (on the passenger side of the center console, very convenient); heated two-tone leather steering wheel; luxury door-trim panel; radio preset capability; driver’s seat and outside-mirror memory; and real wood/bronze chrome interior accents.

The wood inlays are striking, with a raised, exposed edge showing more wood grain, inspired by the iconic Eames chair, trimming the upper door panel, the center stack and the instrument cluster. The bronze chrome trim was subtle and elegant.

A standard USB port in the deep storage bin under the sliding cupholders in the center console routed power cords through an opening to the open-sided storage shelf under the center console/center stack junction. The shelf is lined with a rubber mat with a depiction of the Detroit skyline.

The heated steering wheel and heated seats warmed automatically when the temperature was below freezing – very nice.

LED ambient interior lighting and front-door map-pocket lighting, along with foot-well courtesy lights, added another layer of elegance and convenience. A Premium Lighting Group for $795 upgraded to HID headlights with LED daytime running light and LED fog lights.

A Safety Tec Package ($1,295) brought adaptive cruise control with stop and go, advanced brake assist, full-speed forward collision warning plus, automatic high-beam control, blind-spot and rear-cross-path detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, parallel and perpendicular park assist and stop, and rain-sensitive windshield wipers.

Adaptive cruise maintains select distances between vehicles and can bring your vehicle to a stop and resume full speed, adjusting to traffic patterns. Advanced brake assist helps the driver stop in the shortest distance in emergency braking situations.

Full-speed collision warning plus audibly alerts the driver to a possible emergency situation and can bring the vehicle to a full stop when a frontal collision appears unavoidable.

Cross-path detection was especially helpful in parking lots, as it detects pedestrians as well as vehicles crossing behind the vehicle when reverse has been engaged. Parallel and perpendicular park assist with stop augments basic park assist to help find a parking space and then automatically controls the steering angle while the driver controls braking and acceleration.

While the 200C was a good fit for an average size female (me), larger folks might find it a snug fit, especially taller folks sitting in the back. Rear legroom is a little less than most midsize sedans, at 37.6 inches. Headroom is adequate with 38.7 inches in the front and 37.4 inches in the rear.

The driver and front passenger have height-adjustable seats, allowing better visibility, especially for the driver. Front legroom is 42.2 inches, enough to share if the front passenger moves forward a little. Also, due to the sloped roof pillars, overall space feels somewhat compromised.

The 16 cubic feet of space (with cargo tie-down rings) in the trunk was enough for lots of DIY supplies and the weekly groceries. The 60/40 folding rear seat had a small pass-through for longer items such as two-by-fours or skis, even with passengers in the rear seats.

My 200C was classy and elegant, inside and out; the steering wheel, center stack and console controls were handy and intuitive; the passengers were comfortable and safe (thanks to lots of air bags and safety technology, including a 911 button on the rear view mirror); and handling was smooth if not energetic, although the ride was somewhat firm at times.

Total sticker price was $33,540, including $995 freight and $4,975 in options.

2016 Chrysler 200 Overview

The 2016 Chrysler 200 is a mid-size sedan with a starting MSRP of $21,995. Offering the choice between two capable engines and a host of advanced safety features, this stylish sedan is sure to turn heads whether it is cruising down the highway or simply resting in an office parking lot.

The 2016 Chrysler 200 is available in four trims: Chrysler 200 LX, Chrysler 200 Limited, Chrysler 200S, and Chrysler 200C. The Chrysler 200 is available in either FWD or AWD configurations.

What’s New for the 2016 Chrysler 200?

The Limited trim now comes standard with a rearview camera and it’s also available with the V6 engine. In addition, a 90^th anniversary package is available, which offers unique floor mats, a sunroof, the Uconnect 8.4-inch touch screen package, and all the premium features included in Comfort Group package.

2016 Chrysler 200 Exterior

Fresh of its restyling in 2015, the exterior of the 2016 Chrysler 200 is mostly unchanged, offering a stylish design, smooth lines, and a sophisticated front fascia that’s sure to draw attention. LED tail lamps, 17-inch steel wheels, and automatic headlights come standard with the new Chrysler 200. Exterior Color options for the 2016 Chrysler 200 include Redline Tri-Coat Pearl, Vivid Blue Pearl Coat, Black Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat, Velvet Red Pearl Coat, Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat, and Phantom Black Tri-Coat Pearl.

2016 Chrysler 200 Performance

The 2016 Chrysler 200 comes standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and nine-speed automatic transmission, which combine to produce 184 horsepower and 173 lb-ft of torque. A 3.6-liter V6 engine, good for 295 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, comes optional for the Limited, S, and C trims. While front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive becomes an option if you select the V6 engine. Edmunds tested an AWD 2016 Chrysler 200S with the V6, and found that it could accelerate from 0-to-60 mph in 6.2 seconds. It should be noted that a sport-tuned suspension is featured on the S trim.

2016 Chrysler 200 Efficiency

The 2016 Chrysler 200’s fuel economy depends on whether it is equipped with the four or six-cylinder engine, as well as the choice of either FWD or AWD that comes with the V6.

• The standard four-cylinder engine yields 23/36 mpg city/highway
• The optional V6 engine with FWD yields 19/32 mpg city/highway
• The optional V6 engine with AWD yields 18/29 mpg city/highway

The 2016 Chrysler 200 comes standard with 15.8 gallons of fuel tank capacity.

2016 Chrysler 200 Interior

The interior of the 2016 Chrysler 200 is both elegant and classy. Coming standard with a four-speaker sound system, complete with an auxiliary jack and USB interface, as well as other standard features like premium cloth bucket seats and ambient LED interior lighting; the 2016 Chrysler 200 is the definition of luxury. A Comfort Group package is optional for the Limited and S trims, which comes with heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and heated steering wheel (just for the S trim). Additionally, the C trim comes with a 7-inch Driver Information Display, which includes advanced features such as a digital speedometer, engine performance and fuel economy information, compass, navigation, tire pressure monitor, and maintenance notifications.

2016 Chrysler 200 Safety

The FWD 2016 Chrysler 200 earned a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In addition, the new Chrysler 200 was also named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Edmunds tested the AWD 2016 Chrysler 200 and established that is was capable of stopping from 60 mph in only 119 feet. The 2016 Chrysler 200 also offers advanced safety features like a rearview camera, lane departure warning, lane departure intervention, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, as well as forward collision warning and forward collision mitigation.

Standard Safety Features

• Anti-lock 4-wheel disc brakes
• Electric park brake
• Engine immobilizer
• Security alarm
• Tire pressure monitoring display
• Speed control
• Front passenger seat belt alert
• Inside emergency trunk lid release
• Keyless Enter ‘n Go™
• Keyless entry with panic alarm
• LATCH child seat anchor system
• ParkView™ Rear Back-Up (Limited and above)
• Passenger inflatable knee-bolster airbag
• Driver inflatable knee-bolster airbag
• Electronic stability control
• Speed sensitive power locks
• Supplemental front seat-mounted side airbags
• Supplemental side-curtain front and rear airbags
• Traction control

The 2015 Chrysler 200 Is Much Improved [Review]

by Dan Jedlicka

The revamped 2015 Chrysler 200 promises to give Chrysler more of a much-needed upscale image.

In the 1950s, Chrysler sedans were comparable to Buicks and Oldsmobiles. They all were more prestigious than Pontiac and Chevrolet sedans. But Chryslers never topped Cadillacs or Lincolns.

STATS	Starting Retail Price	As Tested Price	HP / Lb-Ft
2015 Chrysler 200	$21,800	$23,485	184 / 173
	EPA Rating MPG	As Tested MPG	Curb Lbs
Rating: BUY IT!	23 / 36	na

Oldsmobile and Pontiac are long gone, but Chrysler these days must battle more than Buick and other domestic sedans in the mid-size car market–America’s largest for autos. The 200’s rivals now are also from Asia and Europe.

The new, solidly built 200 should do much better with its upscale styling, refined interior, modern engines and a new transmission.

The 200 has a standard nine-speed automatic transmission, which helps it deliver an estimated, impressive (for a fairly large, heavy car) 36 miles per gallon on highways with its base, lively 2.4-liter, 184-horsepower four-cylinder, although that engine gets noisy during hard acceleration. The new automatic replaces four- and six-speed automatics.

The preferable engine is a smoother, quieter 3.6-liter, 295 horsepower V-6, which delivers considerably more punch and 29 estimated miles per gallon on highways–still a respectable figure. Estimated city fuel economy with the “four” is 23 highway but only 18 city with the V-6.

The automatic transmission had minor bugs when introduced, but they’ve apparently been fixed because my test 200 shifted nicely, controlled via a rotary gear selector on the console.

List prices for the 200 sedan (the convertible has been dropped) go from $21,800 to $30,525. I drove a higher-line $23,485 front-drive Limited model.

My test 200 had a good number of standard features in its stylish, quiet interior, which has gauges that can be quickly read and easily worked controls. It has a handy digital speedometer, besides its regular speedometer.

The Limited’s standard features included air conditioning, a sound system with six speakers (four in the base model), steering wheel audio controls, remote USB port, audio jack input for mobile devices, tilt/telescopic wheel, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet in the console, keyless entry, cruise control and power windows.

Front seats are manually adjusted in the Limited, although my test 200 had an optional p

ower driver’s seat. The Limited really should have a standard power driver’s seat.

Other key options for the 200 include leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, power sunroof, backup camera, dual-zone temperature control, remote start system, 8.4-inch touchscreen display and a nine-speaker audio system.

With all that often-desirable stuff, which comes in separate option packages, my test car’s bottom-line price was $26,715, including a $995 destination charge.

Standard safety items include plenty of air bags.

The 200 comes in a variety of trim levels and is offered with front-drive with the four-cylinder and all-wheel drive (AWD) with the V-6. The AWD system is from the Jeep Cherokee and uses front-drive mode most of the time, with the rear axle disconnected to lower friction losses. The AWD system is designed to provide help in bad weather.

So how does this car go? The electric steering is a bit stiff and numb, but is precise. The ride is compliant, easily soaking up potholes and bad bumps, but is on the firm side. Handling is nimble, helped by electronic stability and traction controls. And the anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist are strong, with good pedal feel.

The spacious trunk has a wide but rather high opening. It provides plenty of cargo room, and cargo space increases a lot with the rear seatbacks folded forward. However, they don’t sit completely flat and the pass-through opening from the trunk to the backseat area isn’t quite as large as it should be.

The 200 has become an above-average sedan. That’s the way it used to be with the old Chrysler sedans.
On the TFLcar scale of:

• Buy it!
• Lease it!
• Rent it!
• … or Forget it!

I give the 2015 Chrysler 200 a Buy it!

AMERICANIZED IMPORT: Chrysler’s 2015 200C features svelte styling, posh accommodations, available V-6 power

Ken Walston

For 2015, Chrysler has finally replaced the too-long-running Chrysler midsize sedan, lately known as the 200, with a brand-new and much-improved car, also known as the 200.

Based on a stretched version of the Fiat-sourced underpinnings also used in the Dodge Dart and Jeep Cherokee, the new 200 is blessed with a graceful, eye-catching design that compares well with the modern breed of midsize sedans such as the Ford Fusion and Mazda 6.

2015 Chrysler 200C AWD
VEHICLE TYPE: Four-door, five-passenger sedan
BASE PRICE: $30,425
PRICE AS TESTED: $35,900 (incl. delivery fees)
POWERTRAIN: 3.5-liter, DOHC V-6; 295 horsepower; 262 lb.-ft. torque; nine-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel-drive
WHEELBASE/LENGTH: 108.0″/192.3″
CURB WEIGHT: 3,473 pounds
EPA FUEL RATING: 18 mpg city, 29 highway (regular grade)

If the svelte new styling heralds the direction of later Chrysler products, the company’s future seems assured, despite its oft-rocky past as it cycled through various owners over the past quarter-century.

Although advertised as “America’s import,” the 200 is manufactured at an upgraded, high-tech plant at Sterling Heights, Mich. That tagline puts the 200 in direct competition with such popular vehicles as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima, the Kia/Hyundai twins (Optima and Sonata) as well as the aforementioned Fusion and 6 sedans and Chevy’s Malibu.

It’s a tough segment. But thanks to the fresh styling and a generous roster of standard and optional equipment, including available V-6 power and all-wheel drive, the 200 makes a fairly compelling case for itself.

For a sedan vying for the import niche, the 200 is seemingly the most American-feeling car in its category. Our 200C model’s V-6 delivered a 295-horsepower punch, along with a feisty exhaust tone, providing a deep well of motivation.

The new automatic transmission, with nine speeds, seems a slight case of overkill, but it generally shuffles smoothly up and down through all those gears. The all-wheel-drive system engages the rear wheels only when road conditions demand.

The 200C is the line’s luxury-oriented model, with the suspension tuned more for comfort than sport. Highway ride is pleasantly smooth, but there’s a fair touch of body lean through tight turns. And the steering effort is heftier than most luxury buyers might expect.

The cabin is the latest example of Chrysler’s growth in interior design. Stylized instrumentation with icy-blue lighting; a large, easy-to-navigate touch screen anchored center-dash; a rotating knob for gear selection; leather seating with contrasting piping; and high-grade, soft-touch materials all through the interior bring a modern and comforting ambiance to the surroundings.

The new 200 seems well-girded for the midsize wars. Looks alone, inside and out, should attract buyers. Its American aura could cement the deal.

2015 Chrysler 200 Wins MAMA Family Vehicle of the Year

This morning at the Chicago Auto Show, the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) named the 2015 Chrysler 200 the MAMA Family Vehicle of the Year. The award in a way kicked off the auto show, putting Chrysler on a good foot right out of the gate.

“We are delighted that the new Chrysler 200 has been chosen ‘Family Vehicle of the Year’ by the Midwest Automotive Media Association, whose members evaluate dozens of new vehicles throughout the year,” commented Al Gardner, the president and CEO of the Chrysler Brand here in the States. “The 2015 Chrysler 200 was developed to be the benchmark for mid-size sedans with a timeless, elegant design; clever functionality; a standard nine-speed automatic transmission; a class-leading available all-wheel-drive system; 60 safety and security features and a host of new technology drivers and passengers will value. It is a sedan that drivers will be proud to own, at a value they will appreciate.”

MAMA is compromised of more than 200 automotive journalists and professionals in the region. Together, they determined the winner of the prestigious award. To even qualify for MAMA Family Vehicle of the Year, a contender had to have four doors, had to have an MSRP lower than $50,000, and had to be new or drastically updated since the 2014 Spring Rally. In addition, potential candidates had to make an appearance at one of MAMA’s two annual rallies.

Of those 200+ journalists, 99 voted for the Chrysler 200. It received 79 points in total.

“We know how important it is, and how difficult it can be, to pick the right family car,” said Patrick Olsen, MAMA President. “This award helps give consumers a chance to see the car that nearly a hundred automotive journalists –many with families themselves—selected as the best choice for families in 2015.”

The 2015 Chrysler 200 truly is a car for families. It’s got the most available safety features in its segment, as well as a slew of connected technologies.

Reborn Chrysler 200 leaves rocky past in the dust

The 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan is a well-conceived, exceptionally well-executed midsize family sedan that is attractive, complete (when ordered with Premium Group equipment) and affordable, especially compared with midsize sedans costing $30,000 or more.

The new Chrysler 200 is so much improved over its identically badged 2010 predecessor that I am surprised Fiat Chrysler Automotive, maker of all things Chrysler, kept the car’s name.

But make no mistake, the two cars are different in attitude and quality. The first was the product of old Detroit marketing-think: How do we salvage the troubled launch of a car, in this case the midsize Chrysler Sebring? Answer: We make a few styling and equipment changes, call it the Chrysler 200, and hope it can compete with the likes of the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima.

It didn’t work. The new Chrysler 200 will. It is the product of a deep rethinking of what is needed to compete in a hotly contested global market for midsize family automobiles. Fiat Chrysler Automotive has done a few necessary common-sense things, such as consolidating an array of Chrysler vehicle platforms to reduce manufacturing costs and increase the speed and efficiency of turning out new products.

The new Chrysler 200 is:

• Attractive. Dressed in what Chrysler’s stylists call “velvet red pearl coat” exterior paint, accented with tasteful applications of satin-chrome brightwork, and sculpted to cheat the wind without sacrificing presence or personality, the all-wheel-drive version of the 200C/Premium sedan driven for this column attracted attention all over the Washington area.

After examining the 200C/Premium’s cabin — with interior accents of real wood and bronze-toned chrome, perforated soft-grain leather-covered seats, a 7-inch reconfigurable driver-information display cluster, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen controlling the car’s communication and entertainment systems — invited spectators consistently priced the car $5,000 over its fully optioned $35,900 sticker.

That’s exceeding expectations.

• Complete. I have complained mightily about car manufacturers nickel-and-diming consumers on advanced electronic safety equipment, such as blind-side warning systems that should be made standard on automobiles, certainly on anything in the luxury category. I have no such complaints here, although Fiat Chrysler Automotive, too, plays the options game (Safety Technology package, Premium Group interior, Navigation and Sound Group, Premium Lighting Group). The difference? You get a heck of a lot more for your money.

All of the above parenthetically listed items were available in the 200C/Premium used for this column. And all that equipment — including the blind-side warning, full-speed forward-collision mitigation and lane-departure warning system in the Safety Technology package — worked as well in the 200C/Premium as any similar systems found in much more expensive automobiles.

• Affordable. You don’t have to spend $35,900 to get into a Chrysler 200. For $21,700, you can get the base 200LX equipped with a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine (184 horsepower, 173 pound-feet of torque). You’ll be on cloth seats instead of leather. But you will be getting up to 36 miles per gallon on the highway, compared with the 30 highway mpg I experienced in the 200C/Premium equipped with Chrysler’s 3-liter Pentastar gasoline V-6 (295 horsepower, 262 pound-feet of torque).

The 200C/Premium is more fun to drive, and you pay more for that motorized levity, as you do for extras found in available 200 Limited and 200S models. But you get commendable innovation and excellent engineering in all four versions — LX, Limited, S and C — represented, for example, by a nine-speed automatic transmission offered as standard equipment.

That’s correct: nine-speed. It’s an electronically operated transmission, adjusted via a space-saving, Jaguar-type rotary wheel on a floor-mounted center console, the first of its kind available on a midsize family car.

The 200 is an impressive remake of a car that began as something of a disaster. If it is an indication of what we can expect from future work at Fiat Chrysler Automotive, I eagerly await more.