New Styling, New Functions, Far better Fuel Economy
Published: 05/29/2014 – by Josh Jacquot, Senior Editor
Fast Summary
Redesigned for 2015, Chrysler’;s 200 is the brand’;s entry into the very competitive midsize sedan segment occupied by the ideal-selling Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Stacked with new powertrain alternatives and new characteristics, the 200 contains a thoroughly contemporary interior, providing competitive safety and technologies amenities.
What Is It?
The 2015 Chrysler 200 is a redesigned midsize sedan that’;s available in front- or all-wheel drive. Its wheelbase is about an inch shorter than that of the outgoing 200 and shorter than the current Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. All round length, width and height, however, exceed those models. Interior space improves this year as nicely.
2 engines are offered, a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder rated at 184 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 295 hp, both paired with a segment-1st 9-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available only with the V6.
Our S trim tester is one particular of 4 trim levels: LX, Limited, S and C. Both the V6 and all-wheel drive are offered on S and C trims. LX models start at $ 22,695 and our nicely-optioned S AWD model stickered at $ 34,465.
How Does It Drive?
Possibly the most distinctive experience from driving the 200 is using its rotary-knob shifter, which is mounted on the panel spanning the dashboard and the center console. Even though it takes some obtaining used to, the knob-style shifter is functionally valuable for at least 1 solid cause: It is augmented by steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. It’;s also properly placed and consumes minimal space, each of which are virtues.
Otherwise, the 200 is amply strong when optioned with the V6. Our test car hit 60 in only 6.2 seconds, which is on par with other V6-powered midsize sedans. Manual shifts from its 9-speed automatic are lazier than we’;d like, but downshifts are rev-matched. In Drive, the 9-speed seamlessly swaps among cogs with little interruption in power delivery. You are going to never know there are so several gears obtainable, as the transmission disappears beneath the engine’;s substantial output.
4-cylinder versions are a pleasant surprise as nicely. Although it isn’;t the quietest or smoothest engine in this class, there’;s plenty of power for passing and merging on the highway.
Steering weight is heavier than in many rival sedans but it really is not burdensome. Sport mode (one particular click previous “Drive” on the shifter) increases steering weight, throttle sensitivity and shifting to much better suit aggressive driving. Ride good quality, due in some measure to optional 19-inch wheels, is taut in the S model. But the 200 lacks any type of rewarding driving experience that might justify its ride. Most customers will prefer the smoother ride of the other trim levels, which are better suited for highway cruising and nevertheless give adequate manage in most conditions.
What Type of Fuel Economy Does It Provide?
The apparent point of a transmission with so several gears is to attain great fuel economy, which the 200 does given its ample energy. All-wheel-drive 200s are EPA rated at 22 mpg combined (18 city/29 highway). Our test auto developed 27.5 mpg on our 116-mile test loop, which is mainly highway miles but also includes mountain roads. 4-cylinder 200s earn 28 mpg combined (23 city/36 highway).
Ford’;s 2.-liter EcoBoost-powered Fusion, which tends to make 64 fewer horses, is offered with all-wheel drive and rated at 25 mpg combined. The 2015 Subaru Legacy 3.6R will supply 256 hp, and Subaru estimates it will earn 23 mpg combined.
How Safe Is It?
Neither the federal government (NHTSA) nor the Insurance coverage Institute for Highway Security has carried out crash tests on the 2015 Chrysler 200. Even so, the outgoing model was rated favorably by both.
Stopping from 60 mph required only 119 feet, which puts it among the ideal-stopping midsize sedans. Antilock brakes, stability control and 10 airbags &mdash like knee airbags for each the driver and the passenger &mdash are standard. A rearview camera is only standard on leading-trim C models and isn’;t available on the base (LX) trim. Rear cross-path detection is regular on S and C models.
Even though they weren’;t present on our tester, the 200 brings a number of new security technologies to the midsize segment. Adaptive cruise manage with the capacity to bring the vehicle to a comprehensive stop, forward collision warning with autonomous braking and a park help feature are all offered.
What Type of Technology Does It Offer?
Most tech attributes are packed into the 200′s Navigation and Sound package, which is optional on S and C trims. Included in the package are an 74-inch touchscreen for the GPS-primarily based navigation technique, audio method and settings manage. The screen is high-resolution and the method is amongst the easiest to use and quickest to understand.
A mobile telephone app permits remote begin as well as door locking and unlocking functions. The 200′s UConnect Access service will read incoming text messages and offers voice-to-text services for outgoing text messages. On-demand WiFi connectivity is available for a fee in vehicles equipped with UConnect Access.
2 12-volt outlets, a USB port and an aux jack are normal on all trims. Bluetooth connectivity is normal on all but the base LX trim, where it’;s optional.
How Comfy Is Its Interior?
Chrysler makes use of some exciting style attributes to maximize space inside the 200. The merging of the center stack on the dashboard and the center console amongst the seats is more successful here than in other cars where this trick has been employed (consider Lincoln MKZ) largely due to the functionality of the shifter and place of the electronic parking brake button, both of which are quite intuitive.
The uncommon packaging also creates a “bridge” over the footwell region, which functions as usable storage. There’;s a clever pass-through for a charging cord and the 2-section center console provides a lot more space than most.
Our auto was optioned with the leather-trimmed/vented sport seat option ($ 995), which adds leather interior appointments, heated and ventilated front seats and a 6-way power-adjustable passenger seat. A heated steering wheel is optional on all but the base trim.
Front-seat comfort is admirable with the optional sport seats. Space, nonetheless, is compromised by the 200′s lengthy, sweeping roof-help pillars each front and rear. Front-seat occupants, though they will have adequate space, will be conscious of the front-most pillar’;s proximity merely since of its width. Rear-seat passengers taller than 6 feet may possibly lack headroom. Sense of space, as well, is not as excellent as the class leaders, which maximize the perception of area with significantly less shapely bodies.
At 16 cubic feet the 200′s trunk provides much more space than the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Mazda 6. Its 60/40-split folding rear seat also consists of a tiny trunk pass-by way of under the fold-out armrest.
What Are Its Closest Competitors?
2014 Honda Accord Sedan: No conversation about midsize sedans is total with no mention of the current Accord. Its combination of packaging, efficiency and functionality is powerful.
2014 Toyota Camry: A lengthy reputation for durability and reliability get the Camry on the consideration list as effectively. This is the no-frills entry in the segment, but it’;s highly practical, roomy and efficient.
2014 Ford Fusion: Available with all-wheel drive and completely modern day, the Fusion is a relevant option thanks to strong tech and safety functions.
Why Ought to You Contemplate This Car?
Since it is unusual in the segment, all-wheel drive is a main selling point for the 200. But this is a genuinely good auto. Upper trim levels provide interior top quality that is higher than it is ever been from Chrysler, and its infotainment method is amongst the most complete-featured and straightforward to use on offer. The 200′s many security features are eye-catching and its 5-year/25,000-mile powertrain warranty does not hurt, either.
Why Ought to You Feel Twice About This Automobile?
If your sedan demands involve carrying huge adults in the backseat frequently, there are greater alternatives on the industry. That’;s no modest criticism in a class with a large premium on space. Nonetheless, you must encounter it for your self ahead of producing the contact due to the fact the positives certainly outweigh the negatives with the new 200.
The manufacturer offered Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
