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2015 Chrysler 200 Is Excellent, 9-Speed Better than in Cherokee, CR Says

You either buy a basic BMW 3 Series or you go for a Chrysler 200, right? Not any more. The new 200 looks better than the car it replaces and is more advanced, but it's now designed to compete with regular mid size sedans. While that sounds like less is to be expected, in actuality this is the most competitive niche in America, so it has to be perfect.
2015 Chrysler 200 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
Consumer Reports' first take on the 2015 Chrysler 200 is that it's good, but not as practical as a Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Bad start then? Not really, its shortfalls are shared with the Ford Fusion, a very popular model. Having a sloping roofline might hurt rear headroom, but there's a lot of people who prefer looks over practicality.

The independent reviewers have also found the 200 is better to look at in person. Chrysler has apparently also worked out all the kinks from the Jeep Cherokee, so the standard 9-speed ZF automatic and 2.4-liter four-cylinder communicate much better.

Positive as it sounds, CR stops short of giving us a final verdict. This is just a press car and we'll have to wait until the full review is ready.

The brand new sedan arrives in North American dealerships later this year with starting prices set at $22,695. Starting with the $24,495 200S model, you can also get it with a pretty impressive 3.6-liter Pentrastar V6, available with all-wheel drive. Both mills are much better than the ones they replace and economy is up by up to 5 mpg compared to the old 2.4-liter for instance.

Let's just hope it's as reliable as it needs to be, otherwise this will all have been for nothing.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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