Used 2012 Chrysler 200 Philadelphia
2012 Chrysler 200 Design
Powertrain and Handling of the 2012 Chrysler 200
The Chrysler 200 S features the 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine, coupled with the AutoStick six-speed transmission as standard equipment. It delivers 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The suspension provides a supple yet well-controlled ride, and handling is better than that of many other midsize sedans. The steering provides decent feedback. We were genuinely surprised by the new and much higher handling limits of the Chrysler 200 chassis. With 26 of the 30 suspension and subframe bushing replaced, upgraded springs, shock absorbers, stabilizer bars and tires, the 200 took to some of our favorite Northern California driving roads like a cheetah chasing down a gazelle, changing pace, shifting its weight, gripping the ground, and staying on its line.
Interior of the 2012 Chrysler 200
The instrument panel contains the usual three-round-gauge package, and is much more pleasing to the eye after the 2011 redesign, with gray-on-gray graphics and white accent lighting that is brilliantly legible at night when the display remains gray on gray. The center portion of the instrument panel has also been modernized and treated to just enough chrome accents, as has the console and shifter portion lower down than before. On some models, it is possible to have two USB ports, which can be quite handy for phone and laptop charging. The general dash design and control layout are pretty much the same as before, but because the materials are substantially better, the overall ambience is greatly improved.
The Limited trim is further equipped with fog lights, 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, heated front seats and leather upholstery, as well as a multimedia centre with 30 gigabytes of internal memory, USB port, Bluetooth streaming audio and DVD video capability.
Conclusion
The 2012 Chrysler 200 convertible is a good, spacious choice among midsize drop tops, but its 200 sedan sibling faces tougher competition and is thus less appealing. We were genuinely surprised and pleased at the advancements made in the transition from Sebring to 200. It's prettier by far, the interior is more modern and the materials more luxurious, the cabin is quieter, the engine performance in the V6 is excellent, and the crisp, sharp handling was the biggest and most pleasant surprise of all.
Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com