2015 Chrysler 200C is strictly business
Redesigned for 2015 and built in an exclusive plant outside Sterling Heights, Mich., the new 200C is a welcome addition/replacement to the Chrysler lineup, just below the marvelous 300 sedan.
The 200 is an important car for Chrysler and this example is much more sophisticated and original than the prior models.
Under the hood of the 2015 200C AWD is a 3.6L V6 with 295 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This mid-sized sedan has a 9-speed automatic to control power before entering the all-wheel-drive system. The 200 is also available with a 2.4L producing 184 horsepower, if you’re more concerned with fuel economy.
Exterior design is top-notch with a flowing shape that’s equally symmetrical front to back. LED accents provide daytime personality while high-intensity lights and LED fog lamps provide ample night vision. Around back the 200 has LED back-lit tail lamps and dual exhaust pipes. Overall, the exterior is sleek, but carries a feeling of substance.
Slide inside and you’ll be amazed at the quality workmanship of this interior. Real wood accents, stitched leather and metal trim throughout. The interior feels snug, but you have plenty of legroom and head room. Rear passengers will also be pleased with the interior space. Centering the dash is a large touch screen that controls every function of the audio, phone and stereo settings. Between the gauges for the driver sits another attractive LCD screen. Below the screen is a separate panel for the HVAC, volume and tuning dials. The gear selector is a rotary knob, not the normal gear shift stick, but very appropriate for the 200.
Style on the interior won me over in the end with the new 200. Its exterior styling is decent in my opinion and grows on you the longer you see it, but once you sit down inside, you’ll be impressed by the execution.
Driving the 200 is also pleasant. The 3.6L provides good power and there’s a very healthy exhaust note from the dual pipes out back. Acceleration is strong, but not overbearing, and the 9-speed automatic is very well behaved. No missed shifts or jumpy down shifts, even on steep inclines and low-speed cruising.
The suspension is another area where the 200 is impressive. Tight enough to push around bends, hard but forgiving on rough roads. Highway commutes are smooth and quiet and the adaptive cruise control helps with speed control in moderate traffic. Most adaptive systems maintain a four- or five-car-length gap on the shortest setting, allowing for other drivers to cut into your path. Chrysler products in general with adaptive cruise systems close that gap to around 2.5 car lengths, preventing most from interfering with the cruise control. The cruise also reacts quickly if you change lanes to pass a slower motorist, allowing for you to merge with the flow of faster traffic without adjusting your cruise speed.
Overall my family was pleased and impressed by the newest Chrysler 200. MSRP for the 200C AWD is $30,425. Adding the safety options, premium group, and navigation and lighting groups bumped the bottom line to $35,900. MPG is rated at 22 mpg combined for the V6 and I was able to maintain that average.
Will Chamberlain is a local freelance automotive journalist and can be reached at wchamberlain@pghcarguys.com.
