Chrysler Sebring is dead; long live the Chrysler 200. At least that's what Pentastar folks would like you to think.
Why? Because they know you previously have only considered a Sebring when standing at a rental car counter in a Sun Belt state. And while it may be an acceptable "upgrade" for the weekend, you have never seriously considered one for your own garage.
And as much as Chrysler wants you to consider its mid-size offering alongside the likes of Camry, Accord, Altima, and Fusion, it knew that couldn't happen when the badge said Sebring.
So Chrysler ditched the name and changed as much as possible of what remained. On the inside, things look much improved. Set in the new soft-touch dash is an analog clock that wouldn't be out of place under a French cuff and worsted wool. Piano black and metallic accents trim the center stack and controls, while dash and door coverings push back with warmth and fine grain. Dig a little deeper, however, and some warts begin to emerge. From a features perspective, the 200 Limited doesn't offer as much as its competitors. Though the infotainment system is much improved by the addition of Garmin navigation software, the Limited doesn't offer class staples like dual zone climate control and a rear view backup camera.
Hyundai is worried. The company has seen an alarming increase in the use of asterisks by the auto industry and has embarked on a mission to stamp out the problem, starting with its new 2011 Hyundai Elantra.
