2007 Chrysler Sebring: My Take
Last month I got some brief seat time in the same Chrysler Sebring test vehicle Mike Hanley just reviewed over on the main Cars.com site. It’s amazing how much I agree with him on almost every aspect of the new midsize sedan. Unfortunately for Chrysler, this vehicle just can’t compete with what’s already on the market. Even the Ford Fusion tops it in style points, let alone the superior competition in every department from the Camry and Accord.
What did I like? Honestly? Only the exterior surprised me. The black paint looked lighter, almost a dark gray — it sparkled brightly in the sunlight. Its name is Brilliant Black Pearl, but I wouldn’t say it’s a pure black at all. The dark color also hid some of the unsightly lines the car’s designers decided to add to the side, hood and trunk. Perhaps in this hue the design could grow on me, but I doubt it.
On the road, Mike again was dead on; the Sebring is cushy. It’s ride is so much like a Lincoln Town Car I’d recommend it to my grandparents instantly. However, the cramped front seats probably would turn them off. Around-town traveling was effortless, and the four-cylinder was on par with others in its class, like the Ford Fusion.
The style inside was intriguing, with lots of strange shapes for the center console and steering wheel. It definitely had a retro, 1920s vibe to it. Again, like Mike points out, the poor quality of the actual materials led to the cabin failing as a place I’d want to be for even a short commute. While Chrysler has pulled off some superior products in some segments lately, like the new Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro, the Sebring is a stark disappointment.
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enterprise should be excited! something new from dodge in their rental car line up! im sorry but it just has that styling, that or heavy on rebates! this company gives the domestic automakers a bad public perception!
It stinks that car makers feel obliged to enter a segment, just because it's there. Why not just stick to what's profitable, and what you can do really, really well?
Heavy on rebates...must be the same for both Honda and Toyota since I reviewed the INCENTIVES sheets once a month and laugh at the rebate knockoff from the local commerials to retain numbers.
Superior quality verbiage, well, that is word that is more of self-opinionation. On the other hand, more damaging is the force recalls numbers that was handed to them in the year from NHTSA [2005], Toyota was behind Honda on most recalls for that same mythical quality claims - Toyo was number five. Honda was number four.
Again being owner of both brands, I seen Honda quality was not up to par as with Toyota. Both cars are great but the mid-size is just that. I wouldn't expect it to be rated with a Mercedes 600 with real luxury.
We buy vehicles based on our requirements and not advertisements. However, I do see today, that has changed for the X generation that TV is the gospel. LOL
this car really stinks....sorry chrysler.....not this time its really ugly to look at why they bothered to even make it....the interior is an eye sore......i sat in one at the auto show yesterday and no no the fusion has a better interior than this
I was wondering what the rental car companies were going to replace the Ford Taurus with now that it has been retired. Now I have my answer. No wonder Chrysler leases 25% of it's vehicles. If you can't sell them, lease them.
Only poor people drive Chryslers, GM, and Ford.
I know this Chrysler gets poor reviews from the automotive press. I know a lot of people say this Chrysler is ugly. I know a lot of people say it looks like a grandpa car. I know a lot of people say that I should get a Toyota Camry or a Honda Accord just like everybody else.
But, I think the interior and exterior styling looks great and captures American style in a nice small package. I also think 32mpg on the highway is more than respectable.
As a fairly big guy, I'm sure I'll find it too danged small inside like most cars these days. But, for now, I'm captivated.
i have a sebring but mine is a limited a better interior so the base model may suffer from interior looks i think my sebring limited is waaaaaaaaay better than a fusion but my only problem is the stering wheel could be a bit less round like maybe like the 300 s my friend has i though the sebring and dodge avenger would share similar interior featuers but only a few so i think im gonna keep my sebring limited edition for a long time i already own two chryslers the sebring and pacifica and i think they are the best i recommed them to all my friends and like 15 of them bought a chrysler or dodge they love there cars now.
Besides the cheap, uncomfortable seats making any trip over 10 miles achey on your backside; the Sebring drives terrible on the highway. If you're taking a trip in a Sebring, better hope there are no curvy roads - the handling is just not there. Chrysler missed the ball on this one.