The mid-size Chrysler 200 sedan faces an uncertain future, parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) having announced it will stop building the car after December 2016. That may change if FCA can find another automaker to build the car for Chrysler, but for the moment, the sharp-looking 200 moves into 2017 with a few running changes.
The second-from-the-bottom Limited model gets standard leather seating, the uplevel 200C gets a 10-speaker Alpine stereo, and the 200S adds an available Alloy Edition package that brings a sport-tuned suspension and AWD, along with dark bronze and titanium finishes.
Available powertrains include a 2.4L four-cylinder engine good for 184 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6L V6 that cranks out 295 hp and 262 lb-ft. Both motors come with a nine-speed automatic transsmission, and the V6 can be optioned with AWD.
Fuel consumption estimates are 10.2/6.4 L/100 km (city/highway) with the 2.4L engine; V6 models are rated 12.4/7.5 L/100 km with FWD and 12.8/8.1 with AWD.
FCA is planning to drop the 200 because of slow sales. We feel like some buyers in a class also populated by cars like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata might be put off by the Chrysler name, which tends to be associated with big, soft-riding sedans. Why there's no Dodge version of this car -- or instead of it -- is beyond us.
Entry-level LX models come with a 3.5-inch vehicle information centre, ambient LED interior lighting, four-speaker stereo with USB and auxiliary inputs, outside temperature display, power door locks, mirrors and windows, six-way manual front seats, 60/40 folding rear seat, cloth seats, tilt-and-telescopic steering, two 12-volt power outlets, body colour fascia door handles and side mirrors, LED taillights, touring suspension, 17-inch steering wheels with plastic covers, electric parking brake, passive keyless entry and a tire pressure monitoring indicator.
Limited trim adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, compass, LED exterior accent lighting, chrome grille surround, fog lights, leather-trimmed steering wheel and leather-faced seating, six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth with streaming audio, Uconnect 5.0 infotainment system, 12-way power driver's seat, heated front seats and sun visors with lighted vanity mirrors.
The 200S gets 18-inch satin carbon wheels, acoustic windshield and front door glass, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, sport suspension and sport cloth seats with leather bolsters and a drivetrain sport mode. Adding the V6 engine also brings AWD as an option, and the Alloy Edition adds dark bronze exterior trim and piano black and titanium interior trim.
200C models build on the Limited and get two-door proximity entry, six-way power front passenger seat, seven-inch customizable in-cluster display, nine-speaker stereo, 17-inch satin silver wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated steering wheel, backup camera, remote engine start, ride-and-handling suspension, tire pressure monitoring display, 8.4-inch infotainment screen and a garage door opener. Again, adding the V6 also brings the option of AWD.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
