10 Things You Need To Know About The 2015 Chrysler 200

The 2015 Chrysler 200 demonstrates how in many cases a clean slate can be the most effective approach to solving a particular problem.  In the case of this particular mid-size sedan the issue was being good, but not great, which presented a serious obstacle when trying to stand out from the pack in one of the most competitive segments in the industry.  The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 offers family car shoppers a fresh approach to the daily driver question, and one that also happens to be far more stylish and efficient than ever before.

Let’s take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2015 Chrysler 200.

A big part of the 2015 Chrysler 200’s identity change has to do with the brand new platform that it rides on.  The Chrysler 200 has leveraged international corporate synergy to feature a chassis similar to that which underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, an assist provided by co-parent Fiat.  This is a stretched version of the same platform that is used by the compact Dodge Dart, and it gives the 200 a much-needed clean break from its original roots.  Also benefiting from the new chassis are the Chrysler 200’s ride quality and handling capabilities, two characteristics that are significantly improved with the revised version of the sedan.

It’s only natural to assume that given its imported platform that the 2015 Chrysler 200 would also pick up a little bit of an Italian influence in its sheet metal, too.  The redesigned Chrysler 200 now features the kind of looks (LED headlights, available 19-inch rims) that garner it attention from prospective shoppers rather than seeing itself            passed over in favor of more striking sedans like the Ford Fusion and the Hyundai Sonata.  There’s definitely a European edge to the 200’s curves that was absent from the older model, along with a hint of the Dart sedan with which it shares its bones.

Entry-level buyers will be pleased by the upgraded four-cylinder engine that comes with the base 2015 Chrysler 200.  Displacing 2.4-liters, the unit can be relied on to produce 184 horsepower and 173 lb-ft of torque, which keeps the car competitive with other mid-size sedans.  If you want to shift things up a notch and move from ‘competitive’ to ‘class-leading,’ then there’s always the Chrysler 200’s optional 3.6-liter V-6 .  This Pentastar engine pushes out 295 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, giving it a significant acceleration edge over the four-cylinder and putting it near the top of the affordable family car heap.

Helping to corral the 2015 Chrysler 200’s newfound power is an advanced automatic transmission that features no fewer than nine forward gears.  Heralding a new era of self-shifting gearboxes that employ an ever-greater number of cogs in the quest for additional fuel efficiency, the nine-speed unit is somewhat of a mixed bag for the Chrysler 200.  When paired with the 3.6-liter V-6 it performs its job with an admirable level of transparency, but the four-cylinder engine seems to provoke more than its fair share of gear-hunting and rough shifting, particularly at lower speeds.  Paddle shifters are available with the six-cylinder edition of the 200, allowing for the novelty of clicking up and down through all nine speeds sequentially.

Although it might not be perfect across the board, there’s no denying that the 2015 Chrysler 200’s nine-speed automatic succeeds in its goal of squeezing as many miles as possible out of a tank of gas.  The base four-cylinder version of the Chrysler 200 of course leads the way with an around-town rating of 23-mpg and a highway rating of 36-mpg.  Don’t count out the magic that the nine-speed has been able to work with the V-6, however, as that particular model turns in 19-mpg in stop and go driving and an impressive 32-mpg during highway cruising.

The above fuel consumption figures were quoted for front-wheel drive versions of the 2015 Chrysler 200, but this mid-size sedan also makes all-wheel drive available for not much of a mileage penalty.  The secret is in the implementation of the Chrysler 200’s all-wheel drive system design, which can actually disconnect the rear wheels from the driveline during normal cruising.  Available exclusively with V-6 editions of the car, once a loss of traction is detected up front the 200’s computerized control system instantaneously sends torque to the rear axle to keep things stable and secure.

The 2015 Chrysler 200 starts out in LX trim, which offers a basic four-speaker stereo system without a CD player, air conditioning, 17-inch steel rims, keyless entry and ignition, a split folding rear seat, and cruise control.  The more popular Chrysler 200 Limited expands on the LX’s semi-spartan gear by way of a louder stereo, 17-inch alloy rims, and nicer plastics throughout the interior (it also opens up access to a wide range of options packages).  The 200S adds stiffer suspension and more steering effort to the sedan’s handling equation, along with more aggressive exterior trim.  It also features a power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 18-inch rims, fog lights, leather inserts on each seat, better sound-proofing throughout the cabin, and heated mirrors.  The top-tier 200C subtracts the tighter chassis setup but adds in a power passenger seat up front, leather hides all around, a rearview camera, heated thrones for the first two occupants, and dual automatic climate control (it also rides on 17-inch rims).

In addition to the raft of new features available with the 2015 Chrysler 200, the sedan has also seen the overall quality and design of its passenger compartment finally elevated to the big leagues.  Soft-touch plastics now abound throughout the Chrysler 200, with even the base model leaving its rental car roots behind in favor of a much more pleasant cabin.  Highlights include a large under-console storage area that is accessible from either side by way of its ‘waterfall’ design – a practical cue made possible by the nine-speed automatic transmission’s use of a rotary dial rather than a traditional shifter knob.

The 2015 Chrysler 200 hasn’t strayed too far from its predecessor when it comes to the amount of space it has to offer inside its passenger compartment.  This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as those riding up front are generously provided with leg and shoulder room, while backseat riders have a respectable, if slightly below class-average amount of the same.  The plunging roofline of the Chrysler 200, however, cuts significantly into the back door opening, making it a challenge to get in and out of that half of the sedan if one is above six feet tall.

The 2015 Chrysler 200 has taken a major step forward when it comes to the availability of active safety equipment.  You can order a stand-alone blind spot monitoring system with the 200S, while on the 200C it’s bundled into a package that also includes a forward collision warning system with automatic braking as well as a lane departure warning and assistance feature.  These items are on top of the standard complement of airbags that comes with the Chrysler 200 (side curtain airbags, side impact airbags up front, dual forward airbags, and front knee airbags), along with electronic traction control and stability control.