2009 Chrysler Sebring - Review

The Basics:

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.