From the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, Cars.com's Mike Hanley takes a look at the 2011 Chrysler 200.
Transcript
(upbeat music) <v Announcer>Cars.com Auto Reviews. Hi, I'm Mike Manley with cars.com and we're here at the Los Angeles auto show, checking out a familiar car with a new name.
It's the Chrysler 200, and it replaces the Sebring in the manufacturer's lineup. It's related to the Sebring though, but it gets a number of changes for 2011, like new exterior styling, a new interior and a new V6 powertrain. It goes on sale this December. The most noticeable styling changes are centered up front. It gets new headlights that are reminiscent of the ones from the Chrysler 200C Concept car of a few years ago and they incorporate these LED light pipes that give it a cool look when it's dark out. The car gets a new grill, a new Chrysler winged badge, and around back there are some subtle changes too, like new taillights and new trim pieces. The Sebring was the poster child for Chrysler's disregard for cabin quality, but they've worked hard to make it better in this car by giving it more premium materials on the dash. So overall, I think it's going to remain competitive for a couple years in this segment, but maybe not until a fully redesigned midsize sedan debuts around 2013. There's decent space in the back seat of the 200, but it feels a little smaller overall compared to some of the competition. And that's because those competitors like the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata are just getting bigger overall. But so this is still a mid-sized car and that's how it feels back here. I had a chance to drive the 200 earlier this month and the additional changes to the suspension, the powertrain, also move this car in the right direction, because it offers vastly better handling in a 3.6 liter V6 that feels pretty strong. The problem though is that now this car is where it should have been a couple of years ago, so we'll have to see how it rates as the competition advances. <v Announcer>For more car related news, go to cars.com or our blog kickingtires.net.
