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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Declaring that “The days of the free lunch are over” for the leaders in the midsize sedan segment, Chrysler this month introduces its completely redesigned, 2007 Sebring sedan with a starting price of $18,995, including freight.

That’s $1,700 less than the base price of the previous generation, yet the new Sebring includes more standard equipment, Scott Slagle, senior brand manager for Chrysler car marketing, told automotive journalists during a recent national media preview of the 2007 model.

The bigger news is that the ’07 Sebring is new from the ground up, and is the first midsize sedan from Chrysler that appears to be ready to take its place in the market as an equal to the leaders — the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

Really — it’s that good.

And while only Chrysler is getting this product for now, it also will be the basis for the all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger that will arrive next summer as the replacement for the truly mediocre Dodge Stratus sedan.

Both of these new models will give DaimlerChrysler’s U.S. arm its first truly competitive entries in the biggest car segment, where Toyota and Honda have dominated for the past decade.

And rather than creating just a junior version of Chrysler’s popular, full-size 300 sedan, designers gave the new Sebring its own distinctive appearance, although borrowing some of its styling cues from such vehicles as the Dodge Caliber compact wagon and even the Chrysler Crossfire sports car.

“The 2007 Sebring will establish a new standard in the midsize sedan segment,” Slagle said. “This car is equal to or better than any midsize sedan, including the leaders.” Aimed at a predominantly female audience, the new Sebring combines style, craftsmanship, performance and value in a package that is both affordable to buy and economical to operate, Slagle said.

With its base, 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission, the Sebring is EPA rated at 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway — which ranks it alongside the leaders in the segment.

And unlike some of its competitors, the Sebring can be equipped with the base engine in all three of its trim levels, including the top-of-the-line Limited model that comes with two-tone leather interior.

Two V-6 engines are optional, although Chrysler expects that 80 percent of Sebring buyers will choose the four-cylinder, as is the case with the Camry and Accord, Slagle said.

“We have found that some consumers want the fuel economy of the four-cylinder but the premium features of the uplevel models,” he said.

With many of the Sebring’s competitors, models that have premium features automatically come with larger, less fuel-efficient engines.

The midlevel engine is a 2.7-liter V-6, rated at 189 horsepower and 191 foot-pounds of torque, and is available in all three trim levels.

Besides the base model, there also are the midlevel Touring ($20,195 plus options) and the top-level Limited ($23,995 plus options).

The 2.7-liter engine also comes with the four-speed automatic, and EPA ratings are 22 mpg city/30 highway. This engine also can operate on a mixture of up to 85 percent ethanol (E85) fuel.

For those who want the most power, the Limited model is offered with a 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 235 horsepower and 232 foot-pounds of torque. It’s connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, which helps it achieve EPA ratings of 19 city/28 highway.

Probably the most remarkable thing about the new Sebring is that even at the base price, this car comes nicely equipped, with some features that other automakers reserve for higher-end models that cost thousands of dollars more.

Among those amenities are a tilt-and-telescopic steering column; side-curtain air bags for both rows of seats; seat-mounted side air bags for the driver and front passenger; four-wheel antilock brakes; power windows and door locks; a tire-pressure monitoring system; air conditioning; AM/FM/compact-disc audio system with MP3 playback and an input jack for iPods or other portable audio players; a 60/40 split-folding rear seat; rear-door map pockets with bottle holders; a sliding sun visor; a sliding front center armrest; upper and lower storage bins in the center console; dual 12-volt power outlets; and a driver’s side front-seatback map pocket.

Outside, the new Sebring includes painted and heated power mirrors, quad headlights, bright beltline molding, and 16-inch wheels.

Options on the base model include an upgraded stereo with six-disc CD changer, Sirius satellite radio, hands-free communications system, heated seats, daytime running lights, sunroof, express up/down power window with remote, a vehicle information center, remote start, and a cabin air-filtration system.

Also optional on the base model are Chrysler’s new YES Essentials easy-to-clean premium cloth seats. Their fabric is designed to repel most stains, including those that might come from permanent-ink markets, ketchup and mustard.

This seat fabric is standard on the Touring model, which also comes with a fold-flat front passenger seat, brushed-aluminum instrument panel and interior trim, express up/down power windows for the driver and front passenger (also controlled by the key fob), LED map lights, automatic headlights, lighted visor mirrors, rear passenger-assist handles, and six speakers for the stereo.

Outside, the Touring model gets 17-inch aluminum wheels and special Touring Edition badging.

Options for the Touring model include the new MyGIG Harman/KardonÖ navigation/infotainment system, which includes Sirius radio and a 30-gigabyte hard drive to hold up to 1,600 MP3 songs; a rear-seat DVD entertainment system; a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; an eight-way power driver’s seat; single-zone automatic climate control; a premium Boston Acoustics audio system; universal garage/gate opener; and more.

Another neat option on the Touring and Limited models is a cupholder between the front bucket seats that can heat a drink to 140 degrees or cool it to 35 degrees. Electronic stability control, traction control and 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels also are optional.

With the Limited model, besides the leather interior, standard features include the Boston Acoustics audio system; power driver’s seat; travel computer and electronic vehicle-information center; automatic climate control; theft alarm; tortoise-shell accents on the steering wheel, instrument panel and doors; universal garage opener; electrochromatic rearview mirror; fog lights; satin silver interior door handles; leather steering wheel with audio controls; 17-inch aluminum wheels; and Sirius radio. Eighteen-inch chromed aluminum wheels are optional on the Limited model with the 3.5-liter engine.

The new Sebring is the same length as before, but is taller and wider, giving it more interior space. Passengers in both rows have so-called command-of-the-road seating, giving everyone a good view.

There is a spoiled integrated into the rear decklid.

The car’s ride and handling are both well above average, thanks to a new isolated suspension system that also helps cut down on noise and vibration inside the passenger compartment. At highway speeds, the interior is surprisingly quiet.

While a nicely equipped Sebring can be bought for under $19,000, adding all of the options to the uplevel Limited model can run the price to $32,000, which includes the 3.5-liter engine and six-speed automatic. The AutoStick transmission allows the driver to shift manually (without having to use a clutch).

No manual gearbox is offered on any model, however.

Whether the new Sebring can make a serious dent in the sales of the Camry and Accord remains to be seen, although this car seems to have what it takes to do just that.

G. Chambers Williams III is staff automotive columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and former transportation writer for the Star-Telegram. His automotive columns have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at (210) 250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.