Chrysler Sebring Reviews

The family car market in Australia is totally dominated by Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, but from time to time other marques have a go at creating competition.

VERDICT + Generous equipment list. Spacious cabin. Respectable fuel consumption.- Severe quality issues. Cabin comfort shortfalls. Mediocre road manners. The Australian migration southward from large cars to medium-sized varieties has emboldened a number of manufacturers to bring new models here from overseas, and most of these have been welcome arrivals that add to the richness of our motoring culture.All of them deserve a chance here, and all will attract at least some custom from the established brand names. But sometimes, as in the case of the Chrysler Sebring, a car comes along that feels so out of kilter with Australian expectations that it seems destined to fail.We appreciate the high level of equipment on the Sebring, including some uncommon features on the series-leading $37,490 Limited model variant tested here.However, first impressions are often lasting impressions, and after a less-than-favourable test drive we are now wondering about the extent to which prospective customers, too, have found fault with this American-built sedan after a mere trickle of sales since its launch.Quite apart from the excessively creased and chromed exterior design, the Sebring has a number of drawbacks — ranging from drastic quality shortfalls to a mediocre driving experience — that put it well behind its Japanese and European competition.Despite being a premium model, the Limited cabin is littered with hard and unappealing plastics and our test car had a number of faults that come with substandard construction, including unaligned exterior doors, numerous examples of ill-fitting interior trim and an excruciating noise (like metal being twisted) whenever the driver's window was raised.The storage box on the centre dash stack would open with a squeak, and the centre console box would shut with a twang.You could post letters in the 5mm gap between the top of the glovebox and the dashboard. Rear seat passengers were repeatedly snagged by the loose trim behind one of the front seats.Within a few kilometres from our starting point, when coming to a halt on a downhill slope, our test car also threw on the park brake warning light — something repeated on several other occasions.There is leather trim on the seats and steering wheel, but this does not extend to the doors or the handbrake. The plastic touch points for the elbow on the doors aren't particularly soft, and the front seats are flat and unsupportive.The front passenger is also short-changed in not receiving electric seat adjustment or the means to alter seat lumbar, and neither front occupant is provided with an overhead grab-handle.The driver's footwell is narrow and does not contain a footrest. The handbrake is in an awkward position on the left-hand side of the centre console. The ignition, too, is on the left-hand side of the steering column, a position we never got used to after a week of driving — and, judging by the scratches on the opposite side, something other users have also found problematic.Other scratches from general wear and tear in a near-new car (with less than 8000km on the odometer) were all too obvious on the metallic-coloured plastic surfaces on the centre console and doors.While cup placement and phone recharging requirements are well considered, the basic storage facilities leave more to be desired.Moreover, the glovebox cannot be locked, the climate control airconditioning has just a single zone, and the rear head restraints do not hunker down when not in use to maximise rearward vision for the driver.We could go on in this vein for a lot longer, but the point is clear. Blatant cost cutting and a severe lack of attention to detail have permeated the Sebring, overshadowing a value story it would otherwise tell.After all, the standard specification runs to seven airbags, traction and stability control, ABS brakes (with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist), a tyre pressure monitoring system, trip computer, alarm, cruise control, a six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo (with steering mounted-controls), an auto-dipping rear-view mirror, a well-designed backlit instrument cluster and a novel drink warmer/cooler. The Limited adds a premium stereo, sunroof, headlamp washers, “tortoise shell” interior accents and 18-inch wheels (up from 17).The other main attraction is the all-round roominess, most notably for rear-seat passengers. Amenities also improve in the back seat, with overhead grab-handles making an appearance (albeit without hinges) and door bins incorporating a bottle holder (unlike the front).Having said that, the seatbelt sash can get caught under the headrest in the centre-rear position, leaving it slack and creating an extra check for parents who allow children to buckle themselves in.The boot is another hit-and-miss affair, offering a below-average 441 litres in overall volume (extendable via the split-fold backrests) and forcing people to work around intrusions from the suspension turrets and the parcel shelf area.Cargo hammock hooks are provided, though not luggage tie-down points. A temporary spare wheel is also used.The Sebring's driving experience is nothing to write home about, with average four-cylinder engine performance and mediocre road manners.Combined with a basic four-speed automatic transmission, the inherently smooth 2.4-litre petrol engine produces 125kW at 6000rpm and 220Nm at 4500rpm — enough to send the 1560kg Limited from 0-100km/h in an unremarkable 11.3 seconds, and (given the excessive noise at high revs) for the driver not to test the performance claims too often.The engine is quiet when cruising on the open road, but with a load onboard and in hillier terrain it suffers from a lack of pulling power at the lower end of the rev range.The gearbox is forced to work overtime in these situations, often plunging into second, but it executes all tasks asked of it with a degree of finesse.The driver can exercise more control with the sequential manual mode, although a fifth gear would doubtless be a worthwhile addition.In terms of fuel consumption, we averaged a respectable 10.6 litres per 100km on our test.The front strut and rear multi-link suspension tune is described as European for this American sedan, but in Australian conditions the Sebring feels underdone — not all at sea, but anchored offshore all the same.It absorbs road imperfections at speed with a minimum of fuss, but the Sebring tends to wallow in the bends and mid-corner bumps can send the rear end off course, which is not so much a cause for concern as a telegram to the driver that there is little point in pushing the envelope.Enthusiastic cornering is met with determined resistance (but howls of protest) from the 18-inch Kumho tyres, while braking performance soon deteriorates in demanding conditions.The steering is devoid of feel. Rattling in the steering rack is a regular intrusion across country roads, with lumps in tighter bends producing anything from moderate steering twitchiness to savage kickback.In all, the Sebring is a stunning disappointment. What had looked to be a strong contender in an ultra-competitive class has, in fact, proved to be nothing of the sort. SECOND OPINIONTony Jones, 52Occupation: Market managerLocation: Wantirna South, VicCurrent car: Chrysler Sebring LimitedPrevious car: Renault LagunaOther cars considered: Alfa Romeo 156, Peugeot 407, Renault LagunaTony Jones has no concerns over build quality with his Chrysler Sebring. While he believes that perception could bring the car's resale value down at trade-in time, Tony's Sebring Limited at least appears to be well screwed together.“So far mine's all right. Nothing has fallen off. The finish on the upholstery is very good. There's no rattles or any sort of odd noises coming out of it. It all sticks together all right at the moment, touch wood. I got a recall (notice) on it for a potential radiator fan issue. But my car was apparently okay.”Tony's preference was for a diesel-powered vehicle, but he was unimpressed with the changeover price Renault offered with a diesel Laguna (from his previous petrol V6) and subsequently looked elsewhere. He tried a diesel from Dodge and Jeep but he found the Sebring suited his needs best. “I'd never even heard of it — never seen one, and still haven't seen very many others (after five months),” he says. “But it was distinctive and while the four-cylinder engine wasn't a diesel it suited what I was looking for, not just from an economy point of view but a green aspect as well.“I don't need a fast sportscar. I was looking for something that I could fit my wife and at least two big adults in the back. When I took it for a (test) drive, I thought it was a little bit noisy, but it's not like a little four-cylinder car. It's actually quite comfortable from a noise perspective. It's not a performance car, but it has all of the performance it needs for taking off at the lights and it's great on the open roads — I'm averaging around 8.2-8.3 litres per 100km.“It never loses traction, it stops well, corners okay — it feels and drives like a bigger car. It's just that feeling you get. It feels higher on the road. It's got all the creature comforts — the leather, the electric driver's seat, all the adjustable arrangements there.“The controls are good, you can reach everything, but it doesn't have a left footrest which I occasionally find a bit annoying. And the brake pedal and the accelerator — you've got to be a little bit careful because they're close together.” HOW IT MEASURES UPChrysler Sebring LimitedSerious quality glitches leave this vehicle well behind class standards. Positive aspects include the individual style, interior space and equipment level. But the fault lines run too deep.Price: $37,490Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmEngine: 2.4-litre four-cylinderPower/Torque: 125kW/220NmTransmission: Front-drive, four-speed auto onlySeats/Weight: Five/1560kgFuel tank/type: 64 litres/normal unleadedLitres/100km: 8.9 city/highway combined0-100km/h: 11.3 secondsTurning circle: 11.1mAirbags/ESC: Seven/YesValue: * * 1/2Performance: * * *Overall: * * 1/2  Toyota Camry AtevaCamry is the car Toyota's rivals use as the class benchmark.And for good reason. Ticks the box in most areas of the drive and packaging. First-rate build quality. Take a closer look, Chrysler.Price: $33,750Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmEngine: 2.4-litre four-cylinderPower/Torque: 117kW/218NmTransmission: Front-drive, five-speed auto onlySeats/Weight: Five/1530kgFuel tank/type: 70 litres/normal unleadedLitres/100km: 9.9 city/highway combined0-100km/h: 9.7 secondsTurning circle: 11.0mAirbags/ESC: Six/YesValue: * * * *Performance: * * * 1/2Overall: * * * 1/2  Ford Mondeo ZetecAvailable in hatch or sedan, the new Belgian-built Mondeo is a fabulous all-rounder. This base petrol engine is perhaps the weakest link, but the drive overall is excellent. A value package.Price: $34,990Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmEngine: 2.3-litre four-cylinderPower/Torque: 118kW/208NmTransmission: Front-drive, six-speed auto onlySeats/Weight: Five/1562kgFuel tank/type: 70 litres/normal unleadedLitres/100km: 9.5 city/highway combined0-100km/h: 10.5 seconds (European fig)Turning circle: 11.45mAirbags/ESC: Seven/YesValue: * * * *Performance: * * * 1/2Overall: * * * *  Honda Accord EuroThe name has always suggested to us a kind of Japanese paranoia, but the ageing Euro is an accomplished car. Offers a fine drive, but curtain airbags are restricted to the Luxury variant.Price: $33,990Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmEngine: 2.4-litre four-cylinderPower/Torque: 140kW/223NmTransmission: Front-drive, six-speed manual (5-speed auto $2000)Seats/Weight: Five/1375kgFuel tank/type: 65 litres/premium unleaded Litres/100km: 9.1 city/highway combined0-100km/h: n/aTurning circle: 10.8mAirbags/ESC: Four/YesValue: * * * 1/2Performance: * * * 1/2Overall: * * * 1/2 

Chrysler will be adding the Sebring Cabrio to its range just in time for it to be wrapped as a potential Christmas gift.The new convertible will offer seating for four and will be available in traditional soft or a folding metal hard tops.The rag top will be on the lower-spec models and the hard top is destined for the range-topper.The Cabrio follows the sedan's model line-up and will be available in Touring and Limited guises when it goes on sale next month, with just 500 likely to be on offer for 2008.The Sebring Cabrio gets either a black or beige cloth top on Touring models, which are set to appear with a price around $45,000. The range-topping Limited model, which is likely to carry a price tag near $50,000 - gets the folding metal hard top, which adds just 45kg to the Cabrio's weight. Both tops drop at the touch of a button. The soft top takes 27 seconds and the hard top 30 seconds.The Cabrio also brings with it a 2.7-litre V6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, which also will make their way into the sedan line-up next year, with a low $40,000 price tag.The 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine produces 137kW of power and 256Nm of torque, and Chrysler claims a 9.7 litres/100km thirst. The Cabrio mimics the sedan with ABS brakes and stability control as standard.Prices suggest Chrysler is gunning for Holden Astra Twin Top, Renault's Megane CC, Peugeot's 307 CC, the Saab 9-3 and Volkswagen's EOS, but Chrysler says the Sebring is larger inside.Chrysler Australia managing director Gerry Jenkins believes the Sebring Cabrio is a great American full four-seater made from the same DNA as the 300C.“The Chrysler Sebring Cabrio has long held the honour of America's favourite cabrio, solidly leading the segment in North America for the past decade. Available in soft and hard top, the Sebring Cabrio is also the first Chrysler to land in Australia with our new six-speed automatic and V6 powertrain, both of which will make their way into the Sebring sedan,” he says. Snapshot Chrysler Sebring CabrioFrom around: $45,000Engine: 2.7-litre V6.Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive.Power: 137kW at 5500rpm.Torque: 256Nm at 4000rpm.Fuel consumption: 13 litres/100km (city), 9 litres/100km (highway), tank 64 litres.Dimensions: Length 4922mm, width 1816mm, height 1485mm, wheelbase 2765mm, track fr/rr 1570mm.  Rivals   Holden Astra Twin Top: $47,490.Renault Megane CC: $46,990.Peugeot 307 CC: $48,990.Saab 9-3 Convertible: $68,000.Volkswagen EOS: $50,290. 

Surely a remote release for the fuel well is a far easier option and far less bloodthirstyWith its corrugated clamshell bonnet, lambchop-shaped headlights and various other quirks, the Chrysler Sebring is certainly not your average medium-sized car.In this segment of car clones, it stands out as something a little bit different.However, if that is what you want, its cousin the Dodge Avenger looks more macho, drives better and is less quirky.I drove the Sebring Touring model with its standard 17-inch wheels for a week and found that the wheels were about the best thing on the vehicle.Despite its divisive exterior styling, at least I found it looked like it belonged to its wheels, not hovering above them like most of its under-shod competitors.The bigger wheels with a generous 60 per cent profile also helped provide a smooth and speed-bump-absorbing ride; around the potholed streets of Brisvegas.But there wasn't much else I liked.I just found too many niggling problems with this vehicle. For a start, the Yank car has not survived the conversion from left- to right-hand drive very well.Of course, the indicators are on the left, which is not a huge problem, but the parking brake is also on the left of the centre console, the bonnet release is in the left foot well, the gear indicator is unsighted on the left of the lever and the key is on the left of the steering wheel, which I never got used to even after a week of driving.There were other niggling problems, one of which left me with a gash in my left index finger.It is fairly common in the Chrysler and Jeep range to have a locking petrol cap that requires a key.Not only are they an inconvenience, but they are difficult to use. The key goes in and turns left (or is it right?) and then can't be extracted until you lock it again. You therefore have to squeeze your hand into the fuel well with the key still in the cap and try to rotate the cap to the right (or is that left?).In this juggling act I somehow managed to rip a gash in my finger on the sharp metal in the fuel well. Surely a remote release for the fuel well is a far easier option and far less bloodthirsty.But quirky things such as this could possibly be ignored if the car had good driving dynamics. It doesn't.While it rides well, it steers and handles vaguely. The 2.4-litre engine is noisy and rather under-powered, especially when faced with a hill or weighed down with a couple of passengers.In fact, my wife commented that it sounded more like a crude diesel engine than a modern petrol engine.What makes it worse is it is married to a slow-changing four-speed automatic gearbox. A six-speed manual is also available and might be a better option.No matter what you think of the exterior styling, you may find the interior a little better.It is fairly standard Chrysler fare with a fair amount of hard plastic, but some nice styling touches such as the chronometer-style clock in the centre of the dashboard, the pale green illumination of controls and the three-pod instruments.The two-tone cabin is a reasonably pleasant place to be with good legroom fore and aft and an airy feeling.But there isn't a lot of room in the cargo area with its high floor and low ceiling, plus there is only a temporary space saver spare under the floor.The steering wheel is adjustable for height, but not reach, like most American cars. However, The driver's seats is electronically adjustable to almost any position; so I was able to find a reasonably comfortable driving position. Surely reach adjustment would be an easier and cheaper way to get a good, safe driving position.The standard leather seats are very hard with a convex shape to the back support, which felt like the adjustable lumbar was pushed way forward. It wasn't.What we did like was auto up and down front windows, cup holders that heat or cool and the high quality Harmon Kardon sound system with an input jack for MP3 players and a MyGig hard drive system that allows you to store 20Gb of music on board, without having to use your iPod.That's a fair amount of tasty bits of kit for mid-sized motoring on a budget.For your $33,990 you also get a lot of safety gear including ABS, stability control, traction control, brake assist, six airbags and tyre pressure monitor.If you can get past the niggles, the languorous driving behaviour and the styling, then you will be rewarded with a car that is safe, packed with features and offers competitive value.

It has been a long wait for the Chrysler Sebring, with the promise of affordable family motoring with an American twist, but now it is here.The Sebring looks different to anything else in the mid-sized class, dominated by the home-grown Toyota Camry and Mitsubishi 380.It has a much chunkier body and an aggressive nose that sits comfortably alongside the successful 300C. Its name is from an American racing circuit in Florida, which has been home to sports-car contests since the 1950s.But the Sebring is more pedestrian than full-on fast, though other Sebring models with fewer doors will follow.It is priced from $33,990 with a huge amount of standard equipment that ranges from six airbags and electronic stability control to a cupholder in the centre console that can be cooled to 1.6C and heated to 60C, almost hot enough for cooking.The most popular option is expected to be a thing called MyGIG.For $3500 it gives you a regulation big-screen satnav system and a 20-gigabyte hard-disc drive with a jukebox system for music and pictures.The Sebring has a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and front-wheel-drive, four-wheel disc brakes, fully independent suspension and power steering. The engine is no powerhouse, with 125kW and 220Nm, and is also held back by a four-speed automatic in a class where a self-shifting five-speed is the benchmark.There is a V6 but, like too many Chrysler newcomers, the mid-sizer has landed with the four, which means the first impression is nowhere near as strong as it could be.Chrysler is going in hard with 'surprise and delight' features, packing in heated leather seats, LED cabin lights, a tilt-telescope steering column, audio controls on the steering wheel and much more.There are two models, the Touring and the Limited. The $37,490 headliner has a sunroof, premium sound, 18-inch alloy wheels, headlamp washers and better interior trim.Both cars score high on safety, with airbags, electronic stability control, a rear-vision mirror that dims automatically, and windows and sunroof with auto-reverse triggered by a trapped arm or head.The Sebring is nothing special. I would like it to be a car, I would recommend to friends, and one that provides great driving enjoyment and quality. However, US engineers and designers have failed to deliver a real rival to the Camry and 380, let alone a class leader.Part of the disappointment is down to the dozy engine and transmission, but the real failure is in the cabin.There are lots of nice stuff, but the basics, hard-touch plastics, jagged edges and even a headlining that is not properly locked in place, are underdone.That is because Chrysler is still a US carmaker geared to the needs and expectations of its domestic customers.It still needs to be more global, and look at the sort of competition it faces in countries such as Australia, to make genuine progress.What makes the Sebring so frustrating is that I know there is a V6. And that I have had the same basic cabin complaints since the Neon in the 1990s.The performance is disappointing. It has no punch yet the gearbox has a sports manual shift, but no reason to use it.However the Sebring returned outstanding economy during my run, which is one positive for the 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine.The styling of the Sebring is impressive. It stands out in a crowd. It is also quiet, has nicely compliant suspension and plenty of room for five adults.It is easy to park, the lights are good, the airconditioning works well and all the standard equipment makes a basic Camry look dull and underdone.The starting price is good, too, even if it comes in a fair way beyond a basic Camry or 380.And that is what it all comes back to, rivals. The line-up of medium family cars in Australia is impressive and makes for tough opposition. We start with the value-first Holden Epica and move on to costlier standouts including the Subaru Liberty and Honda Accord, as well as the locally made Camry and 380.Newcomer with distinctive looks, but missing the performance and quality to win.64/100The Sebring sedan will be followed later this year by a coupe and a convertible.

The Sebring Cabrio has unquestionable space advantages over its open-roof motoring competitors, all packaged in the distinctly American style Chrysler is known for.However, while the Cabrio's performance at the Portland, Oregon launch was sufficient, it was never exceptional.The Cabrio will be offered in Australia from August in both hard top and soft top.The pitch will be that it is an affordable and fun all-year-round offering for the single-car family and that's where the class-leading space comes into play.Unlike many four-seat convertibles, the Sebring has rear seats made with comfort in mind. There's 850mm of space for your legs. Entry to the rear seats is also easier than in most convertibles, with the front seat belts attached to the seat and out of the way of the entering passengers.All-important boot space is at 200 litres with the top down (350 litres when the roof is up), courtesy of the Cabrio being 80mm longer than its sedan sibling. From the front, the Cabrio shares many traits with the sedan, including Chrysler's signature grille and a uniquely sculptured hood. Large quad headlamps wrap around the side of the vehicle, where the all-new Sebring Cabrio's profile takes on a shape all of its own.It is a profile defined by a long hood, a long roofline and a high chrome beltline. Sculpted character lines run across the body, below the door handles and across the lower body side to give the Cabrio an athletic stance.It has grown against the previous model - wheelbase is 73mm longer, it's 86mm taller and 53mm wider.The automatically latching cloth top and retractable hard top can be lowered with the key fob - the rag top dropping in 27 seconds and the hard top down in 30 seconds. Cabrio certainly looks after its occupants once they are seated.The spacious interior features a clean and practical design with plenty of storage bins, including a heated/cooled cup holder and 'MyGIG', an optional 20-gigabyte hard-drive infotainment system capable of storing 1,600 songs and photos, controlled from a touchscreen or voice-operated navigation system.Australia will get the 2.7-litre V6 petrol version producing 138kW of power and 256Nm torque with a six-speed auto transmission. The six-speed auto is exclusive to markets outside America.Chrysler Group Australia is pushing to have the vehicles available in soft top and hard top, with leather-trimmed interior in both. Pricing is still being discussed but the aim is to bring the Sebring Cabrio to Australia at about $50,000 for the lowest spec and up to $60,000 for the higher-end models.While it has not been confirmed, it is unlikely that the two-litre turbodiesel Sebring Cabrio will be offered in Australia.On the road, the Cabrio is not going to set the world on fire. It has sufficient power to be that family cruiser, and the front-wheel-drive vehicle steers adequately.Despite the transmission hunting around a little for gears during ascents on the launch drive, the powerplant and transmission are reasonably well suited for the task. But more questionable were Chrysler's claims that the Cabrio is 2.5 times stiffer in torsional rigidity and 1.5 times stiffer in bending rigidity than the old model; with rattles, steering shudder and body flex the moment there was any hint of roughness in the road.

Since the birth of Australia's own car industry post-World War II there has always been an American presence on Australian roads, but until less than five years ago it was one largely dominated by models considered niche or classic. That is about to end.By the end of this year there will be at least 15 models from Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Hummer on sale in Australia, with Cadillac waiting in the wings.“Not since the late 1940s will there have been the sort of US-manufactured presence in the Australian new car market that we are now seeing,” DaimlerChrysler's David McCarthy says.Chrysler — along with sibling marques Dodge and Jeep — have taken a point position in the new campaign.“The difference now is the breadth of choice in model styles,” McCarthy says.“There was always a presence in the '60s and '70s of certain types of large cars but this is very different.”Those very American models, such as the Chevrolet Impala, Pontiac Parisienne, Ford Galaxie and the early Chrysler Valiants, were imported to supplement locally produced models and they continued to trade on the aura the US had as the home of the automobile.Since then, the local new-car market has expanded to become one of the most vibrant and model-rich in the world.Apart from locally manufactured vehicles Australian showrooms are full of Japanese, Korean and European brands across the full price spectrum.DaimlerChrysler's decision to launch the Chrysler badge back into the Aussie market in 2000 was courageous. To add Dodge last year was purely adventurous.But certainly no more so than GM's plan to put the H3 Hummer in showrooms by July.GM spokeswoman Emily Perry says the fact that 150 firm orders were held for the H3 before the first vehicle landed in Australia is proof there is a place for the brand.“People understand the iconic nature of the badge but I believe they also understand that the H3 is not the same as the original military HumVee,” Perry says.Speaking of Cadillac, a brand GM Holden boss Denny Mooney has more than once suggested would have a future in Australia, Perry says it is a very exciting brand and, with the new CTS, that interest will continue to build. “But we don't have anything to announce yet,” she says.The latest to join the invasion is Chrysler's new Sebring sedan, which was launched in Australia this week.Chrysler will initially introduce the Sebring in only one engine and transmission variant.A 2.4-litre, four cylinder powers the model, but Chrysler managing director, Gerry Jenkins says other engines are available, including a diesel and a V6, and they will evaluate them further down the track.The smaller engine means Chrysler has been able to keep the cost down, while still offering impressive equipment. But it does seem a sacrifice. The standard model, the Touring, is priced at $33,990.The Limited is $37,490 and adds a sunroof, a six-stacker CD, Boston acoustic speakers, 18-inch alloy wheels and tortoiseshell accents on the steering wheel, dashboard and door trim. The first thing you notice about the Sebring is its striking looks.It possesses some familiar family traits, such as the Chrysler face and signature grille and the bloodline connection with the Crossfire is instantly recognisable.Chrysler will definitely bring some added class and stunning character to this segment.It does stand out and the bonnet strakes are especially unusual.The 2.4-litre engine feels like a small-car engine in a bigger car. It's the same engine that's used in the Jeep Compass and the high-end Dodge Caliber. You won't be setting any 0-100km/h record in this, but then again, you don't expect to in a $30,000 plus family car.However, the four-cylinder does feel disappointing and a little weak when working its way up to a constant speed.The Sebring is only available with a four-speed automatic gearbox. Put your foot down and the revs climb quite high before shifting up a gear. An extra gear would have come in handy for cruising.The gear changes are a little far apart when sitting in Drive mode. There is the manual functioning if you're after more control, but letting it climb the tacho just a little results in a whining sound.It doesn't seem to have the substance to classify it as a really enjoyable drive.But once getting to your desired speed, the drive is comfortable and smooth. A total of 125kW is extracted from the engine at 6000rpm, with 220Nm coming on from 4500rpm. Suspension-wise, the Australian version of the Sebring has taken the top-end performance character from the US versions.And while it handled OK on our drive, the roads tested were limited to fairly straight conditions. One benefit from the smaller engine is the saving at the pump.Chrysler has recorded a combined claimed fuel consumption of 8.9 litres per 100km, which makes it comparable to many small cars. We recorded around 9.5 litres per 100km.The interior doesn't quite mirror the more glamorous exterior. But space is generous, with a lot of leg room front and rear.And you're also getting a decent list of gear, including heated leather seating as standard.The seating position feels weird at first, but it's not uncomfortable. As well as leather, both models get high level safety, including side-curtain airbags, multi-stage front airbags, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and ESP with traction control.Other features include a cupholder that can heat or chill your drink, an input jack for your iPod, analogue clock (following on with the 300C theme) and automatic climate control. Chrysler also brings new technology to the segment with MyGIG as an optional feature. This will cost you an extra $3500.This combines navigation, 20 gigabyte hard-disc drive, MP3 connectivity and downloading function, DVD and radio screen.Fast factsChrysler SebringPrice: Touring $33,990, Limited$37,490Engine: 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder, 125kW@6000rpm, 220Nm@4500rpmTransmission: 4-speed automaticFuel: 64-litre tank, 8.9L/100km (combined claimed), 9.5L/100km (astested)Verdict: Stylish looks but the Sebring lacks a little in performance.What they sellChrysler: PT Cruiser, Crossfire, Voyager, 300C, Sebring (next month)Dodge: Caliber, Nitro (July), Avenger (September)Jeep: Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Compass, Patriot (August)Hummer: H3 (July)Cadillac: the CTS, which is currently under consideration

The American carmaker plans to jazz up the medium car club with its edgy Sebring sedan next year. The deliberately different-looking American is pitched as an alternative to the dependable Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.While it will count on flair and a fair helping of "surprise and delight" to attract customers, chief engineer Dennis Krozek says getting the basics right had to be the key to winning converts."We know how competitive that medium segment is because there are so many offerings with Camry, Accord, Passat and Mazda6," Krozek says."We did a lot of research with potential customers, we did our benchmarking against the best of the best and targeted our functional objectives after that — ride and handling, safety and the technology we put in it. From there we wanted to offer technologies no one in the segment had to offer."Two petrol engines will be available in Australia. The Sebring will be launched with a 2.4-litre four with 125kW and 220Nm developed in conjunction with Hyundai and already in Australia in the Hyundai Sonata. It will be followed at some stage by a 2.7-litre V6.Chrysler has bought the use of Volkswagen's 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 103kW and 310Nm, rather than developed its own diesel or borrowed one from Mercedes-Benz, an expensive decision but one that should please owners.Transmissions are a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic for the petrol models and a six-speed manual for the turbodiesel.The automatic option for the diesel hasn't been announced, but could be Volkswagen Group's excellent six-speed DSG semi-automatic. All Sebrings are front-wheel-drive. Chrysler has made dynamic stability control standard across the Sebring range.But the Sebring's special extras will be the key to its success, starting with its MyGIG entertainment system. Developed by Boston Acoustics, it combines all the functionality of a touchscreen sound system with a 20Gb hard disc memory, USB direct input, Bluetooth capability, satellite navigation and the ability to store several thousand songs (or several full-length DVD movies that can be played when the car isn't moving) and then used to create its own playlists. Owners will never have to carry their own CDs again.Chrysler is weighing up making the system a standard feature across the range.The Sebring also has other unusual features for a non-luxury car, including heated cloth seats and a cup-holder that can chill or heat what's in it.Pricing details have not been announced but should start at about $30,000, with the first cars arriving in the middle of next year.The Sebring's clever extras and Crossfire-inspired looks should help it attract plenty of attention from car shoppers.But it's the mundane basics that need to impress us. No matter how clever the Sebring's MyGig sound system is, and no matter how sharp it looks, midsize car buyers have shown they need a commonsense reason to buy a car.What gives the Sebring credibility is that, even stripped of the things that make it stand out from the Camry crowd, it is still a good, solid car. Not as slick to drive as the Mazda6 or Accord Euro, nor with the robust reliability record of the Camry, but still good enough to make the list and let the exciting extras get it over the line.From most angles the Sebring is a looker, the stylish bonnet and nose, and sharp lines generally carrying over well from the Crossfire onto the more practically shaped Sebring body. Only from side-on does it look like what it is, a sensible family sedan dressed up as a street machine.Inside, the Sebring carries all the usual cues from the current Chrysler family, with old fashioned-looking backlit dials and the hard plastic dash that has been rejected by most European and Japanese brands in favour of a softer feel.We tried the 2.0-litre turbodiesel and the 2.0-litre petrol versions of the Sebring, the former with a six-speed manual transmission and the latter with a five-speed manual.The turbo diesel is the same highly regarded engine that we know from the Volkswagen Golf, with plenty of torque and well above average refinement for a diesel. Chrysler has confirmed this Sebring model will come to Australia.The 2.0-litre petrol, on the other hand, won't be coming, Chrysler choosing the 2.4-litre four as its entry-level engine.This is just as well because, as pleasant and smooth as the 2.0-litre four is, it just lacks the oomph for a good-size car. The 2.4-litre should be better.Brakes, steering, ride and handling are in the mix compared with the obvious competitors, which is something of a nice surprise.The Sebring feels safe and corners reasonably — it's much better than Chryslers before the 300C — and the stability control means any deficiency compared with the class-leading midsizers is barely noticeable.If you buy the Sebring over one of its Japanese competitors, you are not sacrificing much at all.What lifts the otherwise ho-hum attitude is MyGIG. Sure, other cars have a touchscreen audio system but one that allows motorists to permanently download hundreds of songs, has a USB port and can even store movies and photos, well, that's special.We haven't seen that kind of cleverness in many of the most expensive cars sold here, let alone something smack bang in Middle Street.It takes a few minutes to download an album of music, for example, but once it's saved each song can be selected individually, or added to user-chooser playlists, or called up in alphabetical order. It's remarkably easy to use and saves CDs from being scratched.FAST FACTSPrice: from about $30,000Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol 125kW@6000rpm, 220Nm@4500rpm; 2.0-litre turbodiesel 103kW@4000rpm, 310Nm@1750rpmTransmission: 4-speed auto or 5-speed manual (petrol), 6-speed manual (diesel)Fuel: 8.9L/100km (petrol); 6.2L/100km (diesel