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All-Wheel Drive Edge: 2017 Subaru Legacy

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New Sport trim adds pop to the Legacy line.

2017 Subaru Legacy Sport

Subaru can no longer be considered a niche car manufacturer. Fresh off its eighth consecutive year of record growth, this burgeoning Japanese brand continues to attract a wider base of American car shoppers, thanks in large part to its SUV-skewed lineup.

But that’s not the only reason Subaru is growing: the manufacturer continues with its near-universal standard all-wheel-drive fleet (the rear-wheel-drive Subaru BRZ is the lone exception), an edge no other mainstream manufacturer can claim.

Subaru’s non-SUV fleet includes the BRZ sport coupe, the Impreza and WRX compact models, and the Legacy — a midsize sedan. Notably, the Legacy is one of Subaru’s oldest and most enduring model names, introduced in 1989 and is now in its sixth generation. Originally a compact car, the Legacy was stretched to midsize status six years later and was also sold as a wagon for a season. Afterward, that wagon evolved into the Outback, one of the brand’s best-selling SUV models.

2017 Subaru Legacy

The 2017 Legacy is available in five trims: 2.5i ($21,995), 2.5i Premium ($23,995), 2.5i Sport ($25,995), 2.5i Limited ($28,840), and 3.6R Limited ($31,640). A Legacy 2.5i Sport model was a recent weekly driver and was discounted by $2,000 before a $4,845 Sport Option package was added, bringing the final price to $28,910, including $820 for destination.

The Sport trim is new for 2017. Other changes include new reverse automatic braking and high beam assist technologies.

2017 Subaru Legacy Sport

Speaking about the Sport trim, it features exclusive styling features such as a dark-gray front grille, fog lamps wrapped with gloss black housing, 18-inch sport-styled wheels, and chrome accent rocker panel trim. Inside, you’ll find a two-tone interior with piano black and carbon fiber patterned trim.

Adding a Sport trim to the Legacy line was a wise choice for Subaru. The midsize segment continues under assault as consumers make the shift to SUVs. The Legacy gained ground in 2016, as sales increased by 8 percent just as net car sales fell by 8.1 percent according to Autodata Corporation. In any case, the Legacy is easily outsold by most manufacturers, with the Toyota Camry,Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Ford Fusion vying for leadership. Other models with stronger sales include the Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Malibu, and the Kia Optima.

See Also — 10 Things We Like About the 2020 Subaru Legacy

The All-Wheel Drive Advantage

But in a segment where differentiation seems difficult to accomplish, the Legacy is the only model with all-wheel drive only. The Ford Fusion offers all-wheel drive as did the Chrysler 200 until the latter was discontinued in 2016. Even if the segment continues to contract, the Legacy should gain a larger slice of the pie, thanks to AWD and now a Sport edition.

What the Legacy won’t win is a design award — neither ugly or handsome, the Legacy offers practical looks and contemporary style. Standard 17-inch steel wheels in the 2.5i give way to 17- or 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels elsewhere; all-season tires are standard across the model line.

Projector-beam halogen headlights are standard; HID projector headlights are available. Fog lights appear at the Sport level. You’ll also find folding side mirrors with available integrated turn signal indicators, chrome embellishments, and one or two exhaust tips.

2017 Subaru Legacy Sport

Ample Room for Five

Today’s midsize sedans offer true five-person space and the 2017 Legacy is no exception. Sitting on a 108.3-inch wheelbase, the Legacy offers excellent room up front and suitable space in the rear seat. A 60-40 split-folding bench seat offers access to the trunk, measuring 15 cubic feet.

All models, except for both Limited editions, are dressed in cloth upholstery. Leather-trimmed upholstery is standard on both Limited models.

Moving away from the base models brings in such amenities as a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Also available is heated outboard rear seats and wood grain or carbon fiber-patterned trim.

Keyless entry with push button start is available, as is an automatic dimming rear mirror, and dual-zone climate control. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, an electronic parking brake, and cruise control. Every model comes with a center console, an overhead console, a tilt and telescopic steering column, and eight cup and drink holders.

2017 Subaru Legacy Sport

Top Tech Features

On the tech front, the 2017 Legacy offers a standard four-speaker audio system. A six-speaker audio system is found with the Premium and Sport trims. Limited models have a Harman Kardon audio package — a 12-speaker arrangement with 576 watts of modulated deliciousness at the ready.

If you want navigation, it is obtainable at any level, except with the base trim. The system is tied in with the STARLINK multimedia plus system with a seven-inch screen, Siri Eyes Free, HD Radio, a CD player, satellite radio, and Bluetooth. Only by opting for the upgraded STARLINK package is navigation available.

A Reputation for Safety

Subaru has long held a merited reputation for stellar safety, including exemplary crash testing scores, and the 2017 Legacy embodies that. Once again, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded this midsize sedan with its highest honor — Top Safety Pick+.

Beyond its symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, the Legacy is equipped with daytime running lights, traction and stability control, and a rearview camera. Apart from the Legacy’s suite of airbags, it is the available package of driver-assist features that clinch it for the sedan — namely high beam assist, blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert, and EyeSight Driver Assist technology. EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, and lane-keep assist. You’ll find these options available on every trim except for the base model.

2017 Subaru Legacy Sport

2017 Subaru Legacy Sport

Your Choice of Boxer Engines

Subaru gives Legacy shoppers two engine choices. Both offer a horizontally opposed (Boxer) layout and that means the engines sit slightly lower in the bay. Both are paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The standard four-cylinder displaces at 2.5 liters and makes 175 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. As equipped, these models make 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

The 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine is available only with the top-trim Limited model. This version makes a robust 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The 3.6R Limited achieves an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

2017 Subaru Legacy Sport

On the Road

The base model should be sufficient for most buyers. it delivers adequate off-the-mark acceleration and power increases steadily as it approaches highway speed. In the all-important “passing on the highway” analysis, the Legacy gets the job done, supplying sufficient faculty to pass and without lagging. Most people will probably be satisfied with this sedan’s steering — light to the touch — and handling — sufficient to superior, especially when torque is sent to the wheels that need it most.

And the all-wheel-drive system certainly came in handy when our area was socked by a winter storm. Our storms are typically icy, so that means I don’t drive at all as the all-wheel drive does no better than other options when it comes to stopping. It was only after the ice melted did I conduct the bulk of my driving, traversing slush and other melting material, while doing so in complete confidence. The Legacy stayed planted even as I pushed the sedan through my share of the many puddles encountered. You should consider AWD as an extra measure of security whenever you drive on wet roads.

Buyer Considerations

So, which model should you choose? I vote for the Sport as it has the looks and price point I think most people prefer. The package upgrade brought in a moonroof and the EyeSight driver-assist package, among other amenities. For under $30,000 you get all-wheel drive and certain advanced driver-assist safety features, a combination no other model offers, except for the Ford offers.

For a vehicle offering few surprises, there was one standout feature: fuel economy. Indeed, after 246 miles of driving, the gas tank needle barely touched the middle position, demonstrating that even with all-wheel drive the 2017 Subaru Legacy is an altogether efficient machine.

2017 Subaru Legacy Sport

See Also — Behind the Wheel of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

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Jeep Patriot, Compass Gain a Temporary Reprieve

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Two compact Jeeps will be replaced by one new model in 2017.

Is this the future Jeep pickup truck?
Is this the future Jeep pickup truck?

The Jeep brand’s two smallest models slotted above the Renegade may reach the 2017 model year after all. The Jeep Compass and Patriot, compact SUVs introduced in 2007, will be built until Dec. 23, 2016. A Brazilian-manufactured replacement vehicle bearing one of the two model names will launch in 2017, according to Automotive News.

Plant and Product Shuffling

The reprieve comes as Fiat Chrysler realigns its manufacturing base to build more SUVs. Both the Compass and the Patriot as well as the Dodge Dart are assembled in Belvidere, Illinois. All three models will be canceled or moved out to make way for the Jeep Cherokee.

The Cherokee is currently built in Toledo, Ohio, but will be moved to Illinois in an effort to provide additional capacity for the next-generation Jeep Wrangler and a much anticipated Jeep pickup truck. Following extensive retooling, Cherokee production is due to begin in May.

Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee.

The plant shuffling also extends to Sterling Heights, Michigan, where the Chrysler 200 midsize sedan is being built, but in modest numbers. FCA plans to lay off an entire shift of workers as it realigns Chrysler 200 production with demand. Sales of the 200 are down sharply over last year as consumers shift to pickup trucks and SUVs.

By 2018, the Sterling Heights plant will begin making the next-generation Ram 1500 pickup truck. FCA is still looking for a partner to build the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart, models it says it no longer have priority in its portfolio. So far, no manufacturer has been identified as a potential partner.

Lengthy Model Run

Eleven years is a long time for a model run and both the Compass and Patriot are showing their age. The two models were extensively updated in 2011 as part of a massive product overhaul conducted by the then Chrysler Group in advance of its merger with Fiat.

Strong incentives coupled with increased interest by consumers in all matters of SUV have helped Patriot and Compass sales stay strong. However, with new models above (Cherokee) and under (Renegade), customers have much better choices.

Jeep Renegade

Jeep Renegade.

Future Jeep Product

FCA has two significant moneymakers in its Jeep and Ram brands. However, unlike Ram, Jeep is now a global brand and will continue to provide the most significant growth and drive the greatest profits for the automaker going forward.

FCA is also holding down costs by building Jeep’s two smallest models overseas. Besides the Brazilian-built replacement for the Compass and Patriot, the entry-level Renegade is built in Italy. All other Jeep models are built in the US.

Slotted above the Cherokee is the Grand Cherokee and in its own special category is the Jeep Wrangler, the only body-on-frame Jeep model presently built.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Jeep Grand Wagoneer Reprise

In a Jan. 2016 update to FCA’s 2014-2018 business plan, the automaker noted that future “white-space” products are planned – Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Jeep pickup truck.

The Grand Wagoneer name was last used in 1991, a model based on the Jeep Wagoneer, itself introduced in 1963. The original Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer was based on Jeep’s full-size truck platform. Later Grand Wagoneer models incorporated features common to today’s SUVs, including a roof rack with rails, power bucket seats, leather surfaces, and upgraded sound systems.

As for the new Grand Wagoneer we know it will be a three-row luxury model, based on the next-generation Grand Cherokee platform. Further, FCA has promised the grandest of all Jeeps will compete with Land Rover for luxury SUV shoppers. FCA will introduce the Grand Wagoneer to dealers only this August. As for the rest of us, expect the luxury Jeep’s global unveiling to take place in a major US auto show by early next year.

Recent News — Limited Edition Mopar ’16 Ram Rebel Revealed

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On the Horizon: A Front-Wheel Drive Chrysler 300?

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What could this mean for the Dodge Charger and Challenger?

2015 Chrysler 300

The next-generation Chrysler 300 may switch to a FWD platform.

The days for the current Chrysler 300 are numbered.

Introduced in 2005, the second-generation 300 bowed in 2011, offering dimensions only slightly longer and wider than the first-generation model. Now in its sixth model year, the current Chrysler 300 is showing its age — plans for its replacement are underway.

What may follow could stun enthusiasts, especially if parent Fiat Chrysler elects to place the large sedan on the same front-wheel drive platform underpinning the all-new Chrysler Pacifica minivan. If FCA utilizes Pacifica architecture to support the third-generation 300, it’ll offer optional all-wheel drive, just as it does today.

News of the 300’s possible successor was shared by FCA Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne with reporters at the company’s manufacturing plant in Windsor, Ontario, on Friday reports Reuters. Marchionne was on hand to thank workers for launching the Chrysler Pacifica, representing a $2.6 billion investment in its minivan line.

That investment may never be recouped unless other models are derived from the platform. One of the models thought possible was a Dodge SUV variant — either to replace the current Durango or to supplement it.

2016 Dodge Dart

A replacement for the current Dodge Dart is still open.

Front-Wheel Drive Architecture

Moving to front-wheel drive architecture aligns with the approach Chrysler’s competitors have long taken, including the Ford Taurus, Chevrolet’s Impala, and the Toyota Avalon. Of the three, only the Taurus offers available all-wheel drive — the possible Chrysler approach is also one Audi takes, but the latter’s market is the luxury segment.

Mention “Chrysler 300” and two other models come to mind: Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger. The current Dodge sedan and coupe share nearly everything with the Chrysler, including the platform and most major components. One difference is found in the Hellcat lines as these are unique to Dodge and have effectively placed a lucrative halo over each one.

Marchionne’s pronouncements typically provide reporters with enough fodder to keep FCA in the news, while omitting some information about related products, brands, and production facilities.

Chrysler and Dodge Separation?

Although long tied at the hip, there is nothing written in the FCA playbook that the Chrysler 300 and its Dodge cohorts must continue on the same path. Indeed, Chrysler is now a mainstream brand, while Dodge represents its performance brand.

Thus, the next-generation Dodge Charger and Challenger might continue as is or adopt an Alfa-based rear-wheel drive platform as reported by Automotive News last August. The new platform should yield a third Dodge model, Barracuda (‘Cuda), a sport coupe convertible.

Rumors that FCA might eventually kill off Dodge seem like just that — although the Dart in its current form is doomed (as is the slightly large Chrysler 200), other models such as Viper, Charger, Challenger, ‘Cuda, Durango, and the eventual replacement for the Journey should keep this brand relevant.

2015 Chrysler 200

Chrysler 200 production is winding down.

Other FCA Products and News

The 300’s future isn’t the only FCA news of late.

The next-generation Jeep Wrangler may get a twin-turbocharged, four-cylinder engine making 300 horsepower, supplementing the standard 3.6-liter, V-6. Further, production of the all-new Ram 1500 pickup truck will begin by Jan. 2018.

Production of the Dodge Dart will cease by year’s end as the Belvidere, Illinois plant where it is produced is converted to build the Jeep Grand Cherokee, now built in Toledo, Ohio. Ohio production will focus primarily on the next Wrangler as well as a Jeep-based pickup truck. Also, just as the company’s Sterling Heights, Mich., plant loses the Chrysler 200 by early next year, it will be retooled to supplement future Ram 1500 capacity.

As for the Dart and 200, Marchionne is still holding out hope that a partnership with another manufacturer to build replacement models will happen. Those models would be based entirely on a competitor’s technology. For example, Volkswagen Jetta and Passat models might be tapped and rebadged as the Dart and 200 respectively, although there has been no mention VW is even considering such a relationship.

See Also — Chrysler, Google Project: Start of Something Big?

Will Renault Models Replace Fiat Chrysler Products?

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French automaker Renault may have the solution to FCA’s product needs.

If you want to buy a French-built model in the US, you probably know that Renault, Peugeot and Citroen have no presence in the market. Instead, you’ll only be able to consider the Toyota Yaris, the lone model currently built in France and exported to the US.

2015 Chrysler 200.
The current Chrysler 200 may be replaced by a competitor’s model.

Exit…Stage Right

Both Renault and Peugeot-Citroen once had a presence in the US. Indeed, Renault had controlling interest in American Motors for several years, but exited the market in 1989, two years after selling those assets to the Chrysler Corporation. In 1991, Peugeot made its own exit from the US market, ending Citroen sales too. Some twenty-five years later, few Americans under 40 can recall cars built by French manufacturers and sold in the United States.

Neither manufacturer is poised to return to the US, a market that is immensely profitable, but is also brutally competitive. Beyond domestic manufacturers such as Packard, Checker and Studebaker, a host of foreign makes have thrown in the towel too, including Isuzu, Yugo, Daihatsu, and Suzuki.

However, one of the two French manufacturers could make a return, especially if partnered with a company already present in the US. Renault’s logical partner is Nissan, as both companies own a slice of each other and are jointly led by Carlos Ghosn, the Brazilian-born CEO for the two automakers. Its a successful alliance that has produced numerous cars for the two companies since the confederacy was forged in the late 1990s.

On the other hand, Peugeot-Citroen is not so lucky. A brief partnership forged with GM in 2012 was ended less than two years later as Peugeot sought assistance from Dongfeng, a Chinese manufacturer to support its operation. Of the two French companies, Peugeot’s financial picture is the weakest.

Renault to the Rescue?

Turning back to Renault, this automaker could very well find its way back across the Atlantic, especially if Fiat Chrysler works out an agreement for the French automaker to supply it with vehicles. Indeed, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne announced last week that his company would no longer build its compact Dodge Dart and midsize Chrysler 200 sedans, choosing instead to devote plant capacity to build more Jeeps and Ram pickup trucks. That move means FCA should become more profitable as well as more attractive to a potential suitor.

At the same time, Marchionne said it would turn to its competitors to supply these models, but the likelihood that a Ford, Toyota or a Hyundai would dilute their own model lines to accommodate FCA seems very unlikely.

Renault may be the most logical supplier for FCA as it has two models — the midsize Latitude and the compact Mégane — that might possibly be rebadged and sold in the US. Both models are underpinned by platforms shared with current Nissan products (Altima and Sentra), but otherwise the cars are all Renault.

The downside in choosing the Mégane is that it isn’t a sedan — Renault builds hatchback, coupe and wagon variants, but no four-door sedan. That said, the hatchback might be a fit for a market that is finally accepting this body style again. Currently, Renault builds the Mégane at four plants scattered across Europe and might be in a position to supply the next generation Dodge Dart.

The second model is the Renault Latitude and this one is already sold in Mexico, where it is known as the Renault Safrane. Interestingly, the Renault Latitude/Safrane is built in Korea by Renault Samsung Motors, a minor car manufacturer operating in a market dominated by Hyundai and Kia.

Busan Plant Capacity

Although the Korean company has built more than 2.4 million cars since its 2000 introduction, its Busan manufacturing plant has the capacity to build 300,000 vehicles annually. Supplying the Latitude as the Chrysler 200 in the US and Canada would keep the Busan factory humming and give Chrysler a much-needed product.

Will Renault respond if Marchionne comes calling? There is a good chance that they would. In 2013, Mitsubishi sought a similar tie up with Renault to supply it with a midsize sedan for the US market, but that deal collapsed. In any case, Mitsubishi is barely hanging on in a market where demand for Renault-supplied vehicles would be much smaller than that of a network composed of Dodge and Chrysler dealers.

At the same time, any Fiat Chrysler and Renault relationship could push out further, perhaps including Nissan and forming at least one kind of a business relationship Marchionne desires.

These are interesting times in the auto industry. Then again, the industry is always fascinating.

Fiat Chrysler: SUVs Trump Small Cars

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More Jeeps and pickup trucks. And partners sought to build small cars.

2015 Chrysler 200S
Future Chrysler 200s may be built by a competitor.

Shop for a small Chrysler product in a few years and that Dodge Dart or Chrysler 200 just may be built by one of the automaker’s competitors. Earlier this week Fiat Chrysler announced its revised North American business plan with future production now geared toward producing more SUVs and fewer cars.

Modified Business Plan

The updated business plan, released by Fiat Chrysler on Wednesday, reveals several important changes about the company’s direction in North America, including:

  • Producing more SUVs and pickup trucks, and fewer small cars.
  • Outsourcing production of two vehicles — the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart sedans — to competitors.
  • Adjusting its Alfa Romeo plans by concentrating on bringing its Giulietta sedan to the market during the first half of this year and bringing its midsize SUV online by the end of 2017. Other models are still on tap, but will arrive further out in the production planning cycle.

More Trucks and SUVs

Long top-heavy in pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, Fiat Chrysler plans to tilt further in that direction as it sees increased permanency in the currently low fuel prices. A global glut in fuel availability has driven down prices tremendously and some analysts believe low prices will be around for many years.

FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne says that the company’s two US-built small cars, Dart and 200, will “run their course.” Instead of funding development of new product, the company plans to reach out to its competitors to build these models for them. The manufacturing plants tasked with building the two models will eventually be converted to building Jeep products and pickups.

The company’s Sterling Heights plant in Michigan currently builds the 200 but will be retooled to build the next generation Ram 1500 pickup trucks due out in 2018. A similar transition is in the works for the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois, producer of the Dodge Dart. That plant also produces the Jeep Compass and the Jeep Patriot.

Additional Product Plans

Other important points of the Fiat Chrysler business plan include:

Partnerships are in the offing. Fresh on the heels of partnering with Mazda to build the Fiat 124 Spider, FCA will seek additional partners to help it maintain a presence in the small and midsize car categories. Such collaboration between automakers is nothing new, but this practice has increased steadily over the past several years.

New hybrid models are on the way. FCA will step up its hybrid game by offering more models across multiple platforms. Even the Jeep Wrangler and the Ram 1500 pickup truck will receive hybrid variants.

No new manufacturing plants are planned. FCA plans to maintain its current manufacturing plant count and won’t build an additional plant in Toledo as had been expected. Instead, FCA will utilize its current footprint as it leans toward building more Jeeps and Ram pickup trucks.

Build me a diesel. FCA will also bring a diesel Wrangler Unlimited to the market, but likely not for five years. Even so, a diesel-powered Wrangler would appear a few years before a hybrid variant is released.

Making More Money

Fiat Chrysler’s profitability has always hinged on its North American market. By producing even more Jeeps and pickup trucks and fewer cars, the automaker’s profitability picture should remain robust for several years.

At the same time, its greater commitment to these models could leave the company exposed if consumer tastes suddenly shift following a huge spike in fuel prices. That’s a gamble the automaker is willing to take as consumers flock to a variety of high-profile vehicles.

See Also — X Marks the Spot for GMC Sierra

No Coupe or Convertible for Chrysler

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The last Chrysler convertible drives off into the sunset.


Chrysler convertible

Chryslers last convertible is the 2014 200.


When Cadillac killed it last convertible in the 1970s, it signaled an end to drop top production, at least among US manufacturers. Within the next decade, however, US manufacturers reentered the segment, led by the Chrysler and its LeBaron convertible. Since then, most manufacturers have offered at least one drop top model even though sales have never approached what they were in the 1960s.

Chrysler no longer offers a convertible, having ended 200 convertible production with the 2014 model year. Both Ford (Mustang) and Chevrolet (Camaro and Corvette Stingray) offer convertibles as do a handful of higher end European brands. Rumor has it that Chrysler has explored both a coupe and convertible version of its 200 series, but don’t expect it to happen and for the following reasons.

1. The cost is prohibitive. Developing a second body style for the 200 line is no longer financially tenable. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has multiple brands to manage and the Chrysler brand is not a high priority, at least not for a halo model. We know this because FCA said so — Chrysler now competes with Ford and Chevrolet, instead of Buick and Lincoln. The brand does not have the volume nor the ability to charge high prices to recoup coupe and convertible development costs.

2. The midsize market offers few coupes. When you think of midsize models, your mind likely considers the various sedans that dominate the segment: Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Malibu, Volkswagen Passat and others. Only the Altima and Accord offer coupe versions and the Altima coupe is also being discontinued. That leaves us only with Honda and the Accord coupe is simply not attracting all that many buyers either.

3. A compact Chrysler is on its way. Related to the first point, Chrysler’s direction has changed. Beginning in early 2016, the Chrysler 100 will debut, a compact model tasked with battling the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and the Ford Focus among other models. it will be the first small Chrysler we’ve seen, providing a logical entry point to the brand. Choose the 100 and you can move up to the midsize 200 and then to the full size 300.

4. The Chrysler Town & Country is a priority. Chrysler is also pouring its resources into developing the next generation of its Town & Country minivan. What’s important about this model is that there will be no Dodge version — Chrysler will go it alone as it battles the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey and Kia Sedona for customers in this shrinking segment. Chrysler plans to also offer a plug-in hybrid version of the Town & Country, the first manufacturer to offer a hybrid minivan.

5. Other models are planned. Chrysler’s US market share is currently the smallest of all Chrysler Group brands except for Fiat and Alfa Romeo. However, other models are planned, what will put Chrysler in more popular and profitable segments, including crossovers. Both mid- and full-sized crossovers are in the mix — with the inclusion of the 100, Chrysler’s product line will have doubled to six within the next four years.

Model Lines

That Chrysler no longer offers a coupe or a convertible is keeping in line with what consumers want. Consumer demand for crossovers continues to grow and manufacturers are responding in kind. If consumer tastes ever shift to coupes as well as to convertibles, then Chrysler and other manufacturers will follow suit. With global competition as strong as it is, taking risks by selling low-demand products is not something Chrysler or too many other manufacturers are willing to do.

See Also — Now Competitive: 2015 Chrysler 200S

Now Competitive: 2015 Chrysler 200S

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Quite easily the 2015 Chrysler 200 is the best midsize sedan ever to wear a Chrysler badge. Don’t get all giddy about my statement just yet — Chryslers offerings in this segment have included the LeBaron, Cirrus, Sebring and the 200. Under performers all and in one of the toughest automotive segments at that.

But times have certainly changed. Chrysler now has access to Fiat products, including entire platforms and related components that power various European-derived vehicles. The 2015 Chrysler 200 is based on a modified “small-wide” platform that also underpins the current Dodge Dart, while coming in longer, wider and heavier than the Dodge.

2015 Chrysler 200S

2015 Chrysler 200S

2015 Chrysler 200S

The latest iteration is sold as a sedan only. Gone is the previous 200 convertible, effectively removing Chrysler from the drop top category it helped to revive in the 1980s. Convertible sales were small to begin with and that model simply did not offer much that could not be found elsewhere as well as in a better product. Better to pour your resources into one body style, not two.

A 2015 Chrysler 200S was a recent weekly driver, costing from $24,495 with a $28,575 price tag. I quickly realized that the sedan looks better in person than is shown in pictures. Its exterior reminds me of the understated elegance of the Volkswagen Passat; its interior is sporty, clean and modern, far better than what the previous generation model offered.

Engines, Transmission and Drive Options

The standard engine for the 2015 Chrysler 200S is a 2.4-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder motor. Outfitted with multi-port fuel injection, the base engine makes 184 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 173 foot-pounds of torque at 4,600 rpm. Chrysler pairs both engines with a ZF-supplied, nine-speed automatic transmission with shifting capabilities. That shifting comes by way of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters when the transmission is placed in Sport (S) mode.

Front-wheel-drive is standard with the 200. New for this year is optional all-wheel drive, something only a few other competitors offer. All-wheel drive is standard with the Subaru Legacy and optional with the Ford Fusion, for instance. Chrysler’s venerable 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is also optional, making a segment-best 295 horsepower.

When Chrysler rolled out the 200 for the 2011 model year it replaced the Sebring, but mostly in name only. The 200 was equal to a hearty mid-cycle refresh; the Sebring name was axed as it was toxic to sales. Aligning the 200 with the 300 also reflected a change in naming convention, offering an excuse for Chrysler to vanquish the Sebring.

Happily, the new model is a clean sheet update, reflecting a mandate given to designers to craft a much more desirable product.

Sleek Exterior

That appeal is evident all around, marked by standard bi-function halogen projector headlamps with available LED daytime running lights and fog lights. A sportier grille punctuated by the familiar Chrysler crest imparts a measure of elegance to the front fascia.

The 2015 Chrysler 200S offers clean, sweeping modern lines, body side sculpting, available 18-inch satin carbon aluminum wheels, underbody aerodynamic treatment, LED tail lights and dual integrated exhaust tips. Most of these features are included with the S edition and in the top-of-the-line 200C ($25,995). You can also choose the LX ($21,700) and Limited ($23,225) editions when shopping the 200 line.

Stylish Interior

Inside, the cabin offers a dramatic and much welcome departure from earlier Chrysler models. Keyless entry is standard across the model line as is push button start. Seating five, the 200S interior features a center console supplied by Faurecia and stylish leather-trimmed sport seats. The look is clean and upscale, a design that sets this edition apart from the pack.

The front seats are bolstered and comfortable. The back seat is also comfortable, supplying sufficient room for three. What I liked best about the back seat was its 60/40 split that offers full access to the trunk. What’s more, there is a center pass through for those times when you want to give up just one seat placement — now you know how to bring along your skis.

There are several “pluses” in the current 200 that were not present in the previous model. One outstanding feature is the ergonomic center console with pass-through storage. Here, you get multiple hidden storage compartments with all your connectivity functions at the ready. Simply press the button and pull the switch located fore of the stack and the cup holders and smartphone holder slide out of the way to reveal your covered storage. If moving the cup holders out of the way is an inconvenience, then simply lift the arm rest up to find a second hidden storage compartment, this one with a light and its own connection points.

The test model featured a black interior with blue trim and chrome accents. A leather-wrapped steering wheel with driver and secondary controls sits in front of a brightly illuminated instrument panel. That panel is marked by a pair of analog tachometer and speedometer displays that flank a digital driver information center. Fully customizable, you can change the various drive read outs right from the steering wheel.

One big difference in the new Chrysler is its “rotary e-shift” knob located just above the center storage. That knob controls the new nine-speed automatic transmission, allowing you to choose drive or sport modes as you head out. To the right of the knob is an electronic parking brake, the first time I found one located in that position that wasn’t a Porsche.

Another big plus for this model is its 8.4-inch center console display screen. It features Chrysler’s UConnect infotainment system, one of the best and most sensible systems of its kind. The layout is as easy to use as most any electronic device, reminding my wife of her iPad. Touchscreen access to the radio, your media player, seat and climate controls, navigation, your connected phone and various apps, including the sedan’s own wi-fi hotspot, makes this system user-friendly. Even so, there are switches and knobs below the display to control volume, tune the radio, adjust the climate control and shut off stability control.

Other amenities found in the Chrysler 200S include: drink holders in all four doors plus storage, front and back cup holders, map lights, reading lights, power 8-way driver and 4-way front passenger seats, automatic climate control, rear vent control, power windows and automatic door locks.

The test model featured three package options including a comfort group ($795), a navigation and audio package ($1,495) and a lighting group ($795). The first package brought in the heated steering wheel, heated front seats and a rear back up camera. The second package was composed of the driver information system, UConnect and a 9-speaker Alpine audio system. The third package added in lighting upgrades including the fog lights.

2015 Chrysler 200S

View manufacturer details and pricing

On the Road

Without having the benefit of comparing the four-cylinder model to the V-6, I can only describe what I encountered while driving with the smaller engine. Side note: if the model at hand had the V-6 engine, you would also get all-wheel drive. That comes in handy to offset the usual torque steer felt when sticking a powerful engine in a midsize sedan. The Chrysler AWD system features a fully disconnecting rear axle and torque biasing, attributes that improve steering and handling.

But I was given a model equipped with a four-cylinder engine and front-wheel-drive, just what most consumers will choose. And with my family along for a ride, we took a 555-mile round-trip excursion deep into the heart of Virginia where we put the Chrysler 200S through the paces. It was back road travel mostly with increasingly higher and winding terrain as we made our way to Luray Caverns. That road showed us that the sedan was up to the task of handling significant rises, sharp turns and at times narrow spaces on the way up and back. No lack of power was noticed although there were times when the transmission seemed to be searching for gears before settling down. Mountain roads can tax any vehicle; the Chrysler 200S took us there and back without incident.

This model features independent front and multi-link suspension to go with a sport-tuned system. You also get electric power steering and numerous safety features including eight standard air bags, available blind spot monitoring with rear cross path detection, traction control, stability control and brake assist.

A Tall Order

Chrysler did a few things to better position the 200 to compete in a crowded midsize segment. First, the automaker surveyed the industry and knew that it had to go after the very best. While the Chrysler 200 may not have the flair of the Ford Fusion or of a Hyundai Sonata, it offers an interior that matches up well against the Toyota Camry, Honda’s Accord and the Nissan Altima. Second, the Chrysler brand has been ”demoted from its premium status to a standard brand. Instead of being compared to Buick, you will see ads mentioning Chevrolet, Kia and Toyota, among others. Even so, in the Chrysler 200S you get a car with generous amounts of premium features along with a competitive price point.

The 2015 Chrysler 200S and the three other trim levels will likely get extensively shopped by customers. It offers a significant improvement over the previous generation and is better positioned to take on the industry’s top sellers.

2015 Chrysler 200S

  • Sticker price from $24,495
  • Price as tested: $28,575
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 2.4-liter 16-valve four cylinder engine
  • 184 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm
  • 173 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,600 rpm
  • 3.46 inches bore by 3.82 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10:0-to-1
  • Six-speed automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 108.0 inches
  • Length: 192.3 inches
  • Width: 73.6 inches
  • Height: 58.7 inches
  • Passenger volume: 101.4 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 16.0 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: Not recommended
  • EPA: 23 mpg city, 36 mpg highway
  • Regular grade gasoline
  • Fuel tank: 15.8 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 3,473 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Not yet rated
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 5 years/100,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 3 years/Unlimited miles
  • Vehicle assembly: Sterling Heights, Michigan

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Peak This: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

2015 Chrysler 200S photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

3 All-New Models for the Big Three in 2015

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New 2015 models on the way.

The Big Three automakers continue to fight back in a wide open US market. GM remains the market leader, but Ford and Fiat Chrysler continue to boost market share in various segments, sometimes at the expense of each other. For 2015, all three automakers will have several new models to offer including the following three that are all-new and should boost sales.

Ford Motor Company — Lincoln MKC

Props must be given to Lincoln dealers who have suffered enormously since the Mercury brand was discontinued in 2011. With very few models to offer, Mercury-free Lincoln dealers have seen sales tumble and their profits with it.

Ford has promised to revive its luxury brand and began to make a positive stride last year with the introduction of the updated MKZ sedan. That model has helped sales, but Lincoln dealers want and need more. Fortunately, that wait is nearly over as the Lincoln MKC crossover utility vehicle debuts this June.

Never mind that the Lincoln MKC shares its platform with the Ford Escape. You will not find badge engineering here as the MKC has its own body, interior and many mechanical components that are unique to this model. Priced from $33,100, the MKC joins two other crossovers in the Lincoln line: MXK and MKT. Lincoln still sells its traditional body-on-frame Navigator, what will also be new for 2015.

Big Three: Lincoln MKC

A pair of EcoBoost engines (i.e., turbochargers, direct injection, variable valve timing) will be available with the MKC including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 240 horsepower and is also sold with the Ford Escape. New for 2015 is a 2.3-liter four that makes 275 horsepower and is available only with the all-wheel-drive edition. Standard adaptive suspension, bi-xenon headlamps, push-button transmission, and real leather and wood are among its highlights, features you won’t find in the Escape.

The Lincoln MKC serves one of the fastest growing segments in all of autodom: compact luxury utility vehicles. It will have many competitors including the Cadillac SRX, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Audi Q3, and the BMW X3. It should quickly become Lincoln’s best selling model, even topping the 40,000 units the MKZ is projected to garner this year.

General Motors Company — Cadillac ATS Coupe

Two years ago GM introduced the Cadillac ATS, a compact sedan that slotted below the popular CTS line. It was the first time since the Catera of the 1990s and the Cimarron of the 1980s that Cadillac has sold a compact model, with the ATS immediately proving a hit for the brand.

GM made it known back then that new ATS models would follow. The next body style for the ATS line is a coupe, a model that has the BMW 4-Series in its crosshairs. Comparable models from Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Infiniti and Audi are also game.

Cadillac has priced its luxury 2+2 sport coupe from $38,900. What you get is a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine makes 272 horsepower and 295 foot-pounds of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel-drive is available.

Big Three: Cadillac ATS Coupe

You can also choose a 321-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic. Brembo brakes are standard across the model line; magnetic ride control suspension is also available.

Cadillac describes the ATS coupe as a “true driver’s car” with four color themes available making use of Sapele wood, aluminum trim and leather. Its near 50-50 front to rear weight distribution, magnesium paddle shifters, speed sensitive steering, and independent suspension are designed to emphasize the thrill of the drive.

Cadillac sales have slipped slightly this year, but the addition of the ATS coupe and an all-new Escalade should help GM’s luxury brand bring in more customers.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, N.V. — Chrysler 200

Fresh off the official merger of Fiat and Chrysler to form Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, N.V., the combined corporate entity continues to bang out new models. One such vehicle is the Chrysler 200, a midsize sedan that has not competed well in a segment dominated by the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Nissan Altima and the Ford Fusion.

The Chrysler 200 made its debut in 2011, essentially a refreshed version of the previous Chrysler Sebring. The name change alone helped sales for a model line that also included a convertible. The convertible is no more, just a sedan will be offered.

The latest iteration of the 200 is not like any one previously offered. It is based on Fiat’s compact-wide platform, what underpins the Dodge Dart and Jeep Cherokee. That platform has been stretched and widened to accommodate the Chrysler, a model priced from $21,700.

Big Three: Chrysler 200

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 184 horsepower is standard. Also available is a 295 horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine. Both engines are paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. New for 2015 is the available all-wheel drive, an improved infotainment system and other technologies, plus eight airbags.

Perhaps the biggest change for the 200 is how Chrysler is recasting the brand. In April, CEO Sergio Marchionne said that Chrysler is now its mainstream brand. In other words, it no longer competes with Buick and defunct Mercury, rather it is on the same playing field as Ford and Chevrolet.

Big Three and Other New Models

Auto Trends will have reviews of these and other new models as they pass through our press fleet. That information will be posted to our new car reviews section in the coming months.

See Also — MRY Study Reveals That We Still Love Our Cars

All-New 2015 Chrysler 200 Debuts

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2015 Chrysler 200.
The Chrysler 200 is all-new for 2015.

Introduced in 2011, the Chrysler 200 took up where the Chrysler Sebring left off. That is, it occupied a position toward the bottom end of the midsize sedan pack. Not so much in sales, rather in looks, engineering, and the execution of the final product.

The 200, like the previous Sebring, is a model that screamed dated especially when lined up against its chief competitors including the Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion. Other models competing in this segment include the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Volkswagen Passat, Subaru Legacy, Mazda 6 and the related Dodge Avenger.

Some models are better than others, but except for the Avenger all are more modern and better refined. The Dodge Avenger, by the way, will continue with its same design for 2015.

2015 Chrysler 200

The 2015 Chrysler 200 is now available, priced from $21,700 (LX) and available in four trim levels. Beyond the base LX you can choose from Limited ($23,255), 200S ($24,495) or 200C ($25,995) models.

The sedan is based on the same platform underpinning the compact Dodge Dart, itself based on Fiats compact wide architecture that spawned the Alfa Rome Giulietta and the Jeep Cherokee. The 200 is not the Darts twin as this vehicle comes in longer, wider, and heavier than the Dodge. For 2015, Chrysler also drops the convertible model.

Chrysler hasn’t announced its sales goals with the new 200, the beneficiary of a $1 billion investment in its Sterling Heights, Mich., manufacturing facility which also led to hiring 800 more workers. Sales up to now have been heavily reliant upon fleet customers including daily rental companies. Those sales come with lower profit margins and also have a debilitating effect on resale value. Should Chrysler show much discipline here, it could make more money even with the same amount of sales.

Newly Available Features

There are two features that may distinguish the 2015 Chrysler 200 from the pack: a standard 9-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive. The 9-speed is unique to Chrysler and is found in a segment where 6-speed automatic transmissions are the standard with the occasional continuously variable transmission included.

Few competitors offer all-wheel drive standard in the Subaru Legacy, optional in the Ford Fusion another area where Chrysler hopes to find an advantage. It is a risky and expensive move to offer all-wheel drive, what represents a $4,200 upgrade on the 200S and 200C, the only editions offering it. That puts the 2015 Chrysler 200 closer in price to the Ford Fusion and above the Subaru. (See our review, Subaru Legacy Delivers Quality and Reliability).

Under the hood, Chrysler offers a 2.4-liter four cylinder engine making 184 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V-6 making a segment-leading 295 horsepower. In the 2014 Chrysler 200 convertible that larger engine was also offered and torque steer was quite apparent when we tested it (See our review, Chrysler 200 Convertible Provides Much Drama).

For 2015, Chrysler says that the new model delivers sporty European handling dynamics and steering precision. In its press release announcing the 200, Chrysler mentioned modulating steering as one attribute, perhaps hinting at torque vector control, what sends braking power to the inside turning wheels to eliminate understeer in front-wheel drive models.

Improvements and Options

Other improvements that Chrysler hopes will attract shoppers include available LED daytime running lamps, LED fog lamps, and LED tail lamps. An improved fascia, available 19-inch wheels, upgraded interior colors and trim, an available 7-inch LED instrument panel, its latest navigation packages, and a host of safety features including available adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert and park assist, can be had.

Auto Trends will have a full review of the 2015 Chrysler 200 following our press fleet rotation later this year.

Related Articles

Next Generation Chrysler 200 Loses Its Sebring Sting

Chrysler Sebring Renamed the Chrysler 200

3 All-New Models for the Big Three in 2015

2015 Chrysler 200 photo courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Ltd.

Next Generation Chrysler 200 Loses Its Sebring Sting

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If you are a car manufacturer and you have a model name that is hated, how do you get rid of it? You have two choices here: cancel the model or rename it. In Chryslers case they gave the Sebring a mid cycle refresh in 2011 and renamed it the 200. Not that they had much choice: the brand had little else to offer besides the 300 sedan and its Town & Country van.

Chrysler 200.
An all-new Chrysler 200 makes its debut.

2015 Chrysler 200

Four years later Chrysler introduced the next generation 200 at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, a midsize sedan that loses its Sebring sting. Yes, the 200 removed some of the Sebring’s drabness, but the product was virtually the same. With the new edition Chrysler gets a much more competitive sedan, equipped with a standard 2.4-liter four cylinder engine paired with the worlds first 9-speed automatic transmission. The base engine makes 184 horsepower and 173 foot-pounds of torque. An optional 3.6-liter V-6 makes 295 horsepower and 262 foot-pounds of torque. It, too, is mated to the new transmission.

The new Chrysler 200 is underpinned by the same platform that powers the smaller Dodge Dart, but its overall proportions are larger. This five-passenger front-wheel drive model will also offer optional all-wheel drive, the latter with an automatic fully disconnecting rear axle that improves fuel economy when AWD is not needed.

Price and Competition

Importantly, the new model carries a base $21,700 sticker price ($22,695 with destination), putting it near the bottom of the price spectrum for this segment. The 2015 Chrysler 200 will go up against several recently refreshed or newer models including the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Subaru Legacy, and the Volkswagen Passat.

Chrysler describes the 200s exterior design as featuring the new “face” of the Chrysler brand. Said Al Gardner, President and CEO — Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC, The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 will be the new benchmark for mid-size sedans with an exceptional driving experience, fuel economy of up to 35 mpg highway and exquisite craftsmanship. Gardner went on to praise the sedans functionality, new transmission, choice of engines, and new technologies.

Trim Levels and Amenities

The 2015 Chrysler 200 will be available in four trim levels: LX, Limited, S, and C. Both the S and the C can be had in either front- or all-wheel drive. The 200 LX is outfitted with 17-inch steel wheels set within all-season tires. Silver, polished, and satin silver aluminum wheels ranging in size from 17- to 19-inches are available elsewhere. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, power windows and power door locks, LED ambient lighting, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, UConnect infotainment, power outlets, and cloth seats.

Optional equipment includes leather-trimmed front bucket seats, an 8-way power drivers seat with 4-way lumbar support, a 6-way power passenger seat, a navigation system, a premium group with zoned climate control and a 115-volt auxiliary power outlet, an upgraded audio system, and an enhanced infotainment system. The 200C editions offer a Safetytec option package that brings in adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, rear cross path detection, forward collision alert, automatic headlamps and park assist. Various comfort and convenience packages will also be available.

Mopar Tie-In

Chrysler also plans to aggressively help owners customize their vehicles, offering a tie-in with Mopar, its authorized parts distributor. Moreover, those parts ranging from Autonet Wi-Fi to a rear backup camera/mirror and from a bicycle hitch receiver to an engine block heater for the four cylinder engine, can be installed on the factory floor, saving the customer money.

The 2015 Chrysler 200 is scheduled to arrive in Chrysler showrooms during the second quarter of 2014. As Chrysler noted in a related press release, approximately one in six vehicles sold in the United States is a midsize sedan. The new model loses its Sebring sting, but it remains to be seen if its 200 bling will attract a surge of new buyers.

See Also — Chrysler 200S: Premium, Mainstream Sedan

Photo courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

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