With the 2015 Chrysler 200 officially entering production two weeks ago, it makes sense that we’re starting to see some First Drive reviews crop up in our favorite auto magazines. We haven’t been lucky enough to get behind the wheel of one of these cars yet, so for now we’ll content ourselves to share what we think is one of the better write-ups so far.
Photo: Motor Trend
This review comes courtesy of Motor Trend, and it begins with an acknowledgement that we can tacitly agree with: For a while now, Chrysler has not given the mid-size segment its best. They put out an excellent minivan in the Town & Country, a premier full-size with the 300, and they offer some top of the line special edition vehicles for each, but perhaps they haven’t been dealing out a full house. With the new 200, Chrysler finally has an Ace up their sleeve that will bring them back to the fore of mid-size competition.
Motor Trend starts with a walkaround, talking about the 200’s new curves, which are inspired by some old curves. They mention the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, a thrifty bit of machinery that Chrysler is hoping will be attractive to an economical audience. There’s also the class-first nine-speed automatic transmission, which definitely sets the 200 apart from the pretenders. Of course, FCA also knows that some people are going to want more power, and that’s why the 200S will offer the Pentastar V-6 with all-wheel drive as an option. 295 horsepower and 262 foot-pounds are both numbers that put the 200 in front of other mid-size sedans.
Photo: Motor Trend
The reason we recommend this review is due to its thoroughness. It not only offers a full discussion of the 200’s exterior and interior features, but also shares the experience of driving several different trim levels. Those include the 200 Limited, two versions of the 200S – AWD and FWD – and the 200C. As noted in the review, the Limited model is projected to move more units than any of the others because of its well-rounded features and pricing. It’s a great value for the driving experience it offers. The S models will be fun for anyone who wants to push their car further, made easy thanks to S-mode, paddle shifters, and a smart instrument panel that can tell you when to use them. Finally, the C offers a classier drive for high-end customers who want all of the comforts and safety features of a luxury sedan.
Photo: Motor Trend
Overall, Motor Trend expects the 2015 Chrysler 200 to perform very well on the market for Chrysler, and not because of any highfalutin ad campaign but because it’s a great car with a lot of great features. Here’s the full first drive review on Motor Trend if you want to read more, and Leith Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM will be sure to let you know the moment we get them in so you can see what a 200 drives like for yourself.
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