We get a chance to drive the all new 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan at the Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Back in the game
Chrysler has been on a sales tear for over four years now. In April of 2014 the company recorded its 49th consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains largely on the backs of its Jeep and Ram brands.
But all this success masks the fact that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles continues to struggle in the sedan market. In 2013, car sales were down for both Chrysler and Dodge while, in its first full year of sales, the Dodge Dart – the company's Great Hope in the highly-competitive compact segment - managed only 83,000 or so deliveries in a segment where the big boys regularly ring up unit volume in the 200,000 to 300,000 range.
And while it's hardly time to man the lifeboats, rearranging the deck chairs – à la yet another facelift - is no longer an option if Chrysler hopes to become a serious player in the midsize segment; so no pressure, right?
2015 Chrysler 200
The 2015 Chrysler 200 shares its Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW) platform with both the Dodge Dart and Jeep Cherokee and carries over not a single part from the outgoing model. Compared to the Dart latest 200 has a1.5 inch longer wheelbase, an overall length up by 8.4 inches and an increase in width and height of 1.6 inches and 1 inch, respectively.
While it shares a standard 2.4-liter Tigershark inline-four (181 horsepower, 171 lb.-ft. of torque) with the Dart, 200 buyers will also be offered the option of Chrysler's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that churns out an additional 114 horses and 91 lb.-ft. of torque with both engines mated to a segment-leading nine speed automatic transmission.
Exterior and interior
Outside Chrysler has taken the conservative route. While the new 200's design is more elegant, it's hardly breathtaking.
So while it doesn't offend, neither does it inspire. The good news is that FCA's billion dollar investment in its Sterling Heights Assembly Plant is already paying dividends as both the fit and finish of the body is light years ahead of the outgoing model.
Inside, there's a plethora of soft-touch surfaces that, on our AWD C tester, were offset by a rich-looking faux wood trim and one of the richest-looking steering wheels this side of a Lexus. The front seats are both firm and supportive and in place of a conventional shift lever you'll find Chrysler's soon-to-be-ubiquitous rotary shift knob – located just forward of a hidden electronics bay in the center console.
On the road
As far as its road manners are concerned, first the good news: the V6 engine combined with the 9-speed transmission offers smooth acceleration while the suspension does a nice job of soaking up bumps and road imperfections. Chrysler has also done a nice job of isolating the cabin from wind, road, tire, and engine noise.
The brakes are also very linear and it's easy to modulate the brake pedal. All these pluses demonstrate that the CUSW platform is much more competent that its tuning in the Dart would suggest.
On the other hand, the tuning of the AWD chassis is hardly what you would call sporty while acceleration with the V6 is more leisurely than urgent. And while the steering is responsive, there is little in the way of feedback to the driver.
Pricing
Pricing is also competitive with the entry-level LX model boasting an MSRP of $22,695, although the as-tested price of our AWD C trim driver replete with navigation and leather boasted an MSRP of nearly $35,000.
The bottom line, then, is this: the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is better in every way than the outgoing model. But while it's better than a number of midsize sedans, it's still a step below the best in this segment that includes the Honda Accord, Ford Fusion and Mazda Mazda6.
So while the Chrysler faithful are sure to be pleased with most everything about it, convincing those buyers looking for performance and handling to switch brands will be a much more difficult challenge.
