2015 Chrysler 200 S AWD
New car rollouts have become very carefully orchestrated, and begin long before the vehicles actually go on sale. It all starts with concept cars and spy photos of disguised prototypes. Closer to release they roll out the carefully retouched photographs for public consumption—often to steal the thunder from competitors’ unveilings. There’s usually a big auto show debut too (almost de rigueur for major models), and then comes the launch at some beautiful locale for the automotive and lifestyle press corps. Finally the production machines make it to dealers’ lots, and we see not only how they look on real roads but also how they stack up against the competition. Herein I want to follow two important new vehicles — the 2015 Chrysler 200 and the 2015 Porche Macan S — through this process and see how well the reality holds up to expectations.
2015 Chrysler 200S AWD
Chrysler hasn’t had a hit in the midsize sedan sector for many years; the last Sebring was a complete dud, in this, the best-selling class of car. A fairly inexpensive revamp turned it into the 200 four years ago, and while it was no longer an embarrassment to its corporate parents, Chrysler started teasing its replacement over a year ago. Initial spy photos and disguised prototypes gave us the sense the 2015 would be sleek, and use a new, Fiat/Alfa-derived platform, so it could be a nice driving machine too. At year’s end we saw the crafted PR images and it appeared as dramatic as anything we’ve seen in this oft-conservative sector (Camry, anyone?).
Then came the official 200 unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show in early January. It looked great under the stage lights, if not quite as daring as the 2-D evidence had suggested. Chrysler bigwigs went on and on about how the 200 would have the best quality interior in the class, the most power, and many unique selling points. It did seem very nice to sit in—though the back was tight for headroom—and I declared it one of the show’s highlights. Fast forward four months and I got behind the wheel of the real deal, right here in Colorado.
This particular 200, a C model in V6 AWD spec, still impressed visually, despite being surrounded by all the typically unglamorous scenery one sees in the real world. Its beautifully rendered surfacing, highlighted by lots of curvaceous brightwork and hunky 18×8-inch rims, gave it real presence. First impression: positive. Here was a car that would do what the last Sonata did for Hyundai: reset shoppers’ internal biases about what Chrysler was about.
The 200’s interior design was dramatic and cohesive. Colors carefully defined the ambiance and such details as the backlit gauges were very cool. The center console was very well laid out for modern tech and the twist knob electric shifter freed up lots of space. The Uconnect infotainment system was fast and intuitive.
But something had been lost in the translation to production. Some of the materials used aren’t up to the standard I was led to expect: where vinyl meets leather on the seat cushions it’s quite noticeable in texture and color, and the some of the more obvious plastic moldings are shiny and hard. Mind you, the 200 is still class-competitive, but hype suggested it would be unparalleled, and it’s not. Front seat space and the driving position are fine, the angled headrests not so much, and the rear accommodations do indeed shave the scalp—a shame, as under-thigh support is very good in the back seat.
Thankfully, the 200C driving experience is very pleasing. And quite sporting, being broadly similar to a Ford Fusion or Mazda6 in the way it steers, handles and stops. Brake modulation is nice, steering precision excellent, especially the way the helm loads up in a corner, which gives one real reassurance about front-end grip. The Chrysler’s ride is undeniably firm, but damping is excellent, meaning it has commendable poise and really tears up a back road.
The 200C’s powertrain upholds its end as well; combining the 295hp Pentastar V6 and the new corporate nine-speed auto whose programming now seems more sorted—with a slick AWD system that disconnects when not needed to save fuel—gives us one compelling Colorado car. It feels fast (I’m estimating 0-60mph in under six seconds), yet will return good economy at a cruise. Based on my experience the Chrysler 200C comes quite close to fulfilling what was promised. It is compelling inside and out, near the top of the class to drive, and well priced.
2015 Chrysler 200S AWD
EPA ratings: 18 city/29 highway; 22mpg combined
Price as tested: $33,380
Here is what Chrysler has to say.
Read the 2015 Porsche Macan S review here.
Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.
