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2009 Chrysler Sebring Bottom Line

June 15, 2009

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com has read a wide range of reviews from around the Web to compile a conclusive review of the 2009 Chrysler Sebring sedan. That’s in addition to the firsthand impressions presented here in this definitive Bottom Line assessment.

Likes:

  • Roomy interior
  • Lots of useful options
  • Smooth ride

Dislikes:

  • Ungainly styling
  • Mediocre performance
  • Interior materials
  • Lack of refinement with four-cylinder

Buying Tips:


If you have the Sebring on your shopping list, it's very easy to get out and sample one for an extended drive without hassles: Just head over to a rental-car counter.

The 2009 Chrysler Sebring is a mid-sized sedan that competes with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, as well as larger options such as the Ford Fusion. Some drivers like the Sebring for its distinctive body styling, but the Sebring lags behind its rivals in terms of quality.

The Sebring offers three engine choices: a standard 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower four-cylinder; an optional 2.7-liter, 189-hp V-6; and an optional 3.5-liter, 235-hp V-6 coupled with a new six-speed automatic transaxle. Neither the four-cylinder nor the smaller V-6 has much spare power, but it's the four-speed-only automatic that's a glaring, dated touch. The more powerful V-6 gets a six-speed transmission and drones less at speed. Fuel economy is rated at 24/32 mpg for the four-cylinder, and 22/30 mpg for the 2.7-liter V-6. The larger V-6 performs at 19/28 mpg.

For a vehicle named for a racetrack, the 2009 Chrysler Sebring is mostly unengaging. In all versions of the Sebring, steering is direct if not razor-sharp, while the independent suspension is firm enough for a stable and secure feel during emergency situations and in tight corners.

Interior space is fine for four adults, though a bit tight for five. The plasticky interior is not wonderful to touch, but the controls are laid out logically. The backseats fold forward and open up to the trunk; the front passenger seat also folds flat for loading long objects inside the car.

The 2009 Chrysler Sebring gets mostly five-star ratings from the government for crash protection, with four-star scores in passenger side-impact and rollover resistance. Side-impact and curtain airbags are standard across the line, and anti-lock brakes make the standard list for 2009. Electronic stability control is available on the Touring model.

The 2009 Chrysler Sebring kills in available features. A six-disc changer is standard on all models, as is Sirius Satellite Radio. Other standout features include an optional heated/cooled front cup holder that can warm beverages to 140 degrees or chill them to a near-freezing 35 degrees. Plus, there's a Harman Kardon information, entertainment, and safety navigation audio system with 6.5-inch touch-screen display, as well as a 20GB hard drive that includes a Music Juke Box interface for organizing music and pictures and a USB connection for both MP3 connectivity and downloading of WMA, MP3, and JPEG files.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2009 Chrysler Sebring, also consider:

Reason Why:

The Ford Fusion and the Mazda6 are both sportier-feeling rivals to the Sebring, and they perform much better in nearly every way. The Fusion is a bit larger than the Sebring, while the Mazda6 may handle more in tune with some drivers' tastes and has a distinctive new look and feel that’s more luxurious. Surprisingly, the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla might compete more at the four-cylinder level with the Sebring than the Accord and Camry. The Honda and Toyota options shine for quality and dependability.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Chrysler Sebring scores big on features, but it doesn’t stand up to its main competitors in most other ways.

TheCarConnection.com has read a wide range of reviews from around the Web to compile a conclusive review of the 2009 Chrysler Sebring sedan. That’s in addition to the firsthand impressions presented here in this definitive Bottom Line assessment. Likes:Roomy interiorLots of useful optionsSmooth rideDislikes:Ungainly stylingMediocre performanceInterior materialsLack of refinement with four-cylinderBuying Tips: If you have the Sebring on your shopping list, it's very easy to get out and sample one for an extended drive without hassles: Just head over to a rental-car counter. The 2009 Chrysler Sebring is a mid-sized sedan that competes with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, as well as larger options such as the Ford Fusion. Some drivers like the Sebring for its distinctive body styling, but the Sebring lags behind its rivals in terms of quality. The Sebring offers three engine choices: a standard 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower four-cylinder; an optional 2.7-liter, 189-hp V-6; and an optional 3.5-liter, 235-hp V-6 coupled with a new six-speed automatic transaxle. Neither the four-cylinder nor the smaller V-6 has much spare power, but it's the four-speed-only automatic that's a glaring, dated touch. The more powerful V-6 gets a six-speed transmission and drones less at speed. Fuel economy is rated at 24/32 mpg for the four-cylinder, and 22/30 mpg for the 2.7-liter V-6. The larger V-6 performs at 19/28 mpg. For a vehicle named for a racetrack, the 2009 Chrysler Sebring is mostly unengaging. In all versions of the Sebring, steering is direct if not razor-sharp, while the independent suspension is firm enough for a stable and secure feel during emergency situations and in tight corners. Interior space is fine for four adults, though a bit tight for five. The plasticky interior is not wonderful to touch, but the controls are laid out logically. The backseats fold forward and open up to the trunk; the front passenger seat also folds flat for loading long objects inside the car. The 2009 Chrysler Sebring gets mostly five-star ratings from the government for crash protection, with four-star scores in passenger side-impact and rollover resistance. Side-impact and curtain airbags are standard across the line, and anti-lock brakes make the standard list for 2009. Electronic stability control is available on the Touring model. The 2009 Chrysler Sebring kills in available features. A six-disc changer is standard on all models, as is Sirius Satellite Radio. Other standout features include an optional heated/cooled front cup holder that can warm beverages to 140 degrees or chill them to a near-freezing 35 degrees. Plus, there's a Harman Kardon information, entertainment, and safety navigation audio system with 6.5-inch touch-screen display, as well as a 20GB hard drive that includes a Music Juke Box interface for organizing music and pictures and a USB connection for both MP3 connectivity and downloading of WMA, MP3, and JPEG files. Other Choices:If you like the 2009 Chrysler Sebring, also consider:Ford FusionMazda6Honda CivicToyota CorollaReason Why:The Ford Fusion and the Mazda6 are both sportier-feeling rivals to the Sebring, and they perform much better in nearly every way. The Fusion is a bit larger than the Sebring, while the Mazda6 may handle more in tune with some drivers' tastes and has a distinctive new look and feel that’s more luxurious. Surprisingly, the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla might compete more at the four-cylinder level with the Sebring than the Accord and Camry. The Honda and Toyota options shine for quality and dependability. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Chrysler Sebring scores big on features, but it doesn’t stand up to its main competitors in most other ways. TheCarConnection.com has read a wide range of reviews from around the Web to compile a conclusive review of the 2009 Chrysler Sebring sedan. That’s in addition to the firsthand impressions presented here in this definitive Bottom Line assessment. Likes Roomy interior Lots of useful ...

Other Choices:

The Ford Fusion and the Mazda6 are both sportier-feeling rivals to the Sebring, and they perform much better in nearly every way. The Fusion is a bit larger than the Sebring, while the Mazda6 may handle more in tune with some drivers' tastes and has a distinctive new look and feel that’s more luxurious. Surprisingly, the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla might compete more at the four-cylinder level with the Sebring than the Accord and Camry. The Honda and Toyota options shine for quality and dependability.

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See the Chrysler Sebring in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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