KansasCity.com's view

Chrysler’s Sebring coupe is the sleek cousin of the Dodge Stratus, which has a more aggressive, performance-oriented persona.

Both are new from the ground up for 2001, and both share their basic architecture, powerplants and mechanical underpinnings with the Mitsubishi Eclipse.

All three are built by Mitsubishi Motor America in Normal, Ill. DaimlerChrysler owns a controlling interest in Mitsubishi.

The Sebring coupe is available in LX or LXi models. The LX, with a 2.4-liter, 147-horsepower four-cylinder engine, starts at $19,910, while the LXi has the 3.0-liter, 200-horsepower V6 and starts at $21,475. Both are offered with a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. The LXi’s automatic is an AutoStick that allows the driver to change gears manually.

For this review, I drove an LXi with AutoStick.

Visually, the Sebring and Stratus are considerably different. The Chrysler’s nose is a scaled-down version of the classic Ferrari face used so successfully on the big Concorde sedan, and it seems to fit this smaller body very well. Overall, the exterior is clean and simple.

The Sebring is closer to being a true four-seat coupe because its 103.7-inch wheelbase is 4 inches longer than the Eclipse. The extra length has been devoted mainly to rear-seat legroom. Overall length is 15 inches greater.

Inside, the instrument panel and basic layout arethe same as in the Stratus and Eclipse, but pieces of woodgrain trim give the Sebring’s interior a bit of brightness. The speedometer and tachometer are white-on-black gauges whose simplicity goes well with the rest of the cabin.

The Sebring’s seats have moderate side and lumbar support, and getting in and out is hampered slightly by the low roofline.

Because of the low ceiling and high window line, I felt as if I was sitting way down inside the car and couldn’t see out easily, especially at night. That was likely accentuated by the tall transmission tunnel, small outside mirrors and the width of the pillars at the base of the windshield.

The instrument panel’s protruding center section positions climate and stereo controls a bit closer to the driver’s right hand.

The interior has best-in-class rear hip room, and getting into the back seat is aided by wide doors and front seats that slide forward. The rear seat is slightly elevated to keep passengers from feeling claustrophobic. Child seat tether latches are built into the back seat.

The trunk is quite large and can carry even more when the split-folding rear seat is down. The pass-through between the seat and back seat is rather narrow and that limits the size of objects that will fit.

A single cupholder is cut into the center console, but the second one is under the lid of the storage compartment, and that’s not very convenient.

Both the Sebring and Stratus are billed as affordable sports coupes, and that is true. The V6 engine has plenty of mid-range punch, and I often found myself zipping past the speed limit on the highway unless I was extra vigilant because wind and road noise are well contained.

A sport coupe has to handle decently to be fun to drive, and the Sebring is responsive without having a hard-core, sports-car ride that jars your teeth and rattles your nerves. The multilink rear axle is mounted on coil springs for comfort, while up front MacPherson struts are used.

Polished, 17-inch wheels have low-profile tires that provide sharp turn-in and good grip in corners.

The coupe’s body structure is tight and rigid, and that contributes to better handling, fewer shakes and less chance for rattles.

Compared to its sibling from Dodge, the Sebring coupe is like a nice suit, whereas the Stratus is like a sport coat and slacks. Dressiness is appropriate for Chrysler, and this redesigned coupe reflects that.

Price: The base price of the Sebring LXi s $21,475. Our test car was equipped with anti-lock rakes, traction control, automatic transmission, power sunroof and chrome wheels. The sticker price was $26,270.

Warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles.

Point: The Sebring coupe mixes room for four with sleek styling and a nice complement of convenience equipment. Its styling is handsome, the V6 makes good power and the back is actually usable by adults.

Counterpoint: The low seating position challenges outward visibility, especially at night; the three-pod instrument panel’s design doesn’t mesh with the refined look of the exterior; and full-throttle acceleration results in mild tugging through the steering wheel.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 3.0-liter, V6
Transmission: AutoStick
Front-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 103.7 inches
Curb weight: 3,252 lbs.
Base price: $21,475
As driven: $26,270
Fuel economy: 19 city, 27 hwy.