Description

Although the redesigned 2015 Chrysler 200 isn't much different in size from last year's 200, you don't have to look at it very long to realize this is a radically different midsize sedan. The styling itself is quite striking for a car in this price range, and indeed it ushers in an all-new design language for the Chrysler brand. Inside, the cabin has been overhauled as well and features nicer materials and a slick new touchscreen electronics interface that's refreshingly easy to use. In addition, new safety features like blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning systems put the 2015 200 on more equal footing with the leaders in this class. If the upgrades on the 2015 Chrysler 200 stopped right here, it would still represent a major improvement over last year's 200 sedan. But the changes underneath are even more transformative. For 2015, the 200 has adopted a slightly enlarged version of the platform architecture already used for the Dodge Dart and Jeep Cherokee. It's a more structurally rigid foundation than before and it contributes to a quieter, more refined ride quality. Handling is also impressive for a car in this class. Even better, Chrysler's midsize sedan gets an upgraded 184-horsepower four-cylinder engine that offers competitive performance for this class -- not something we could say about the four-cylinder in the previous-generation 200. However, Chrysler still offers an optional V6 as well. With 295 hp, it's among the most powerful engines available in this class. Fuel economy numbers are respectable as well, bolstered in large part by a new nine-speed automatic transmission. This year's 200 also gains the option of all-wheel drive on V6 models, a plus if you're looking for a little extra capability in wintry conditions. One thing that didn't really change in this redesign is usable interior room. There's just enough legroom for a 6-footer to sit in the backseat. That should be fine for most owners, but it is something to be aware of. And up front, the 2015 Chrysler 200 offers less hiproom than most competitors, so if you have a larger frame, you may find it rather snug. Furthermore, the sweeping roof pillars can inhibit outward visibility somewhat. It's not terrible but still not as unimpeded as rivals with more upright designs. Given the high level of competition in the midsize sedan class, you'll definitely want to check out a few other candidates before making your decision. Top alternatives to the Chrysler 200 include the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima, all of which offer more spacious accommodations for passengers. The Ford should be especially appealing for shoppers with an eye for style, plus it's also available with AWD, while the Honda and Nissan are superb in the fuel economy department. Less often considered is the 2015 Mazda 6, also an impressively fuel-efficient sedan that also happens to be the best-handling car in this class. Although the 2015 Chrysler 200 doesn't have any major advantages over these rivals, it's certainly worth a look if you want a midsize car with a distinctive design, well-rounded driving dynamics and an easy-to-use electronics interface. Performance and mpg All 2015 Chrysler 200 sedans come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 184 hp and 173 pound-feet of torque. Optional on the S and C trims is a 3.6-liter V6 engine that's good for 295 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come matched to a nine-speed automatic transmission (with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the 200S). Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional with the V6. In addition, the V6 also features a Sport mode that sharpens up engine and transmission responses and provides slightly heavier steering effort. In Edmunds testing, a Chrysler 200S with all-wheel drive sprinted from zero to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds, making it among the quickest V6-powered family sedans, in lockstep with Honda, Nissan and Toyota. Powered by the four-cylinder engine, however, a 200 Limited required 9.0 seconds to reach 60 mph, which is slower than the average by nearly a full second. The EPA's fuel-economy estimates for the 2015 Chrysler 200 range from 28 mpg combined (23 city-36 highway) for the base engine to 23 mpg combined (19-32) for the V6 and 22-18-29 for the AWD V6. Our highway-biased evaluation loop produced an impressive 34-mpg average for the four-cylinder and 28 mpg for the AWD V6, essentially validating the EPA's findings that are often difficult to reproduce in the real world. Safety The 2015 Chrysler 200 comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and driver and front-passenger knee airbags. A rearview camera is optional on Limited and S models and standard on the C. During Edmunds testing, a 200S AWD came to a stop from 60 mph in 119 feet, a bit better than average for this segment. However, a four-cylinder 200 Limited required a longer 129 feet. If you're looking for more advanced safety tech, a blind spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alerts is optional on S and C models only. On the C, it's part of the SafetyTec package, which also includes lane departure warning and keeping assist and a forward collision warning system that can automatically initiate braking if the driver doesn't react to an impending collision situation. In government crash tests, the Chrysler 200 received four out of five stars for overall protection, with four stars awarded for overall frontal-impact protection and five stars for overall side-impact protection. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash testing, the 200 earned the top score of Good in the moderate-overlap frontal-offset, small-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact, roof-strength and head restraint (whiplash protection) tests. Also in IIHS testing, the effectiveness of the 200's optional frontal collision warning and automatic braking systems earned a top rating of Superior. Driving Four-cylinder versions of the 2015 Chrysler 200 are a pleasant surprise. This isn't the quietest or smoothest engine in this class, but most buyers will find that the 2.4-liter is adequate for their needs, as highway merging and passing maneuvers come easily. Still, the V6 is the more desirable choice. It has plenty of power in any situation and never feels sluggish. It's also commendably quiet for normal highway cruising, yet has a snarly exhaust note when you really get on the gas. If you're the sort of driver who likes to explore back roads, you'll likely prefer the 200S model and its sport-tuned suspension, and this model earned a B rating from our evaluation team. The setup gives the car a buttoned-down feel around tight turns and makes it one of the better-handling midsize cars in this price range. If you just want to make time on the interstate, though, you'll probably be just as happy with the standard suspension calibration. We've sampled a Limited model with this setup and 17-inch wheels and tires, and it still provides reasonable balance around turns along with an agreeable ride quality. All 200 sedans have precise steering, but it has a heavier effort level than most buyers will likely expect from a midsize sedan. Interior A dated control interface was one of the bigger drawbacks to last year's Chrysler 200, but company designers redoubled their efforts in the 2015 200, and the result is a thoroughly modern cabin design. It's shown off to best effect in S and C models equipped with the optional 8.4-inch infotainment interface. This large touchscreen is intuitive, fills out the dash nicely and complements the automatic transmission's rotary-style shifter. The real wood inlays in the optional Premium Group package are especially striking, as they feature exposed edges inspired by the iconic Eames chair. That said, we've also spent time in a Limited model with cloth upholstery and the standard 5-inch audio display. It doesn't look quite as state-of-the-art, but it's still a comfortable and functional interior furnished with high-quality materials. All models feature a USB port that strategically routes your power cord to a handy storage shelf in the center console. Most people will have little difficulty getting comfortable in the front seats, and a standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel makes it easy to find a good driving position. However, the 2015 Chrysler 200 has less hiproom than most competitors, so if you're on the larger side, it may feel overly snug. Also be aware that the 200 offers less rear legroom than most other midsize sedans; anyone over 6 feet tall (or even 5-feet-10-inches if they have long legs) is likely to find the backseat a tight fit. Sense of space, too, isn't as good as the class leaders that maximize the perception of room with their more upright roof pillars and less curvaceous bodies. At 16.0 cubic feet, the 200's trunk offers more space than the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Mazda 6. Its 60-40 split-folding rear seat also includes a small trunk pass-through that allows longer items to be carried along with four passengers in the car.