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2004 Chrysler Crossfire Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
2004 Chrysler Crossfire Review
Crossfire blends American styling with underskin hardware from Chrysler's parent company, Mercedes-Benz. Assembled in Germany, Crossfire was introduced as a hatchback coupe that borrowed its chassis and powertrain from Mercedes' 2-seat SLK, a convertible with a retractable hardtop. A 215-hp Mercedes V6 teams with a 6-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate. ABS and antiskid/traction control are standard. A rear spoiler powers up and down depending on road speed or can be left deployed. Wheels are 18-inch alloys in front, 19s in back. "Summer" tires are standard, all-season tires optional. A plug-in air compressor and a can of tire sealant are provided instead of a spare tire. Crossfire has leather upholstery and torso side airbags; curtain side airbags are unavailable.

A Crossfire convertible is expected in summer 2004 as an early '05 entry. Unlike its Mercedes SLK cousin, it comes with a cloth folding top; the top is power operated, includes a heated glass rear window, and folds beneath a powered cover. Also due are SRT-6 coupes and convertibles with a 330-hp supercharged V6, along with sport suspension and unique interior and exterior trim.
News
Crossfire got off to a so-so sales start. In a bid to spur interest, Chrysler will offer convertible and SRT-6 versions. The last powered by a 320-hp supercharged V6 and include 6-speed automatic transmission, a firmed-up suspension, bigger wheels and tires, a larger fixed rear spoiler, and other exclusives. Chrysler says the '05 base coupe will start at $29,920 vs. $33,620 for the '04. Announced convertible prices are $34,960 base, $38,920 Limited, and $49,995 for SRT-6. Chrysler should release other details soon, so keep checking back with us.
2004 Chrysler Crossfire Road Test
Pros Cons
Acceleration Road noise
Handling/roadholding Rear visibility
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

Base coupe, man. Base coupe w/all-season tires, auto. Class Average
7 7 7.7

Test automatic-transmission Crossfire coupe did 6.6 sec 0-60 mph. That's brisk, but achieving quick passing response requires a pronounced stab at the throttle to coax a downshift from the otherwise smooth-working automatic transmission. No opportunity to time manual-transmission version.
Fuel Economy

Base coupe, man. Base coupe w/all-season tires, auto. Class Average
5 5 4.7

Test automatic-transmission coupe averaged 20.9 mpg, including gas-eating performance tests. Note that automatic transmission rates 4 mpg higher city vs. manual. Premium fuel required.
Ride Quality

Base coupe, man. Base coupe w/all-season tires, auto. Class Average
3 4 4

Very firm, with some testers rating it almost harsh on all but smooth surfaces. All-season tires have discernible comfort edge over the "summer" treads.
Steering/Handling/Braking

Base coupe, man. Base coupe w/all-season tires, auto. Class Average
7 7 8.4

Not BMW-nimble, but assured and composed. Minimal cornering lean, strong grip, fine rear-wheel-drive balance. Well-weighted steering provides good feedback, crisp turn-in, though tires tend to tram along pavement grooves. Braking strong, stable.
Quietness

Base coupe, man. Base coupe w/all-season tires, auto. Class Average
4 4 4

Marked tire thrum intrudes except on glassy asphalt. Fairly high wind noise above 65 mph. V6 makes classy, muted growl at full throttle.
Controls

Base coupe, man. Base coupe w/all-season tires, auto. Class Average
6 6 5.8

Dashboard uses some Mercedes SLK switches and stalks, but Crossfire has its own retro-style gauges that look too busy for best legibility. Switchgear has tiny markings, many look-alike shapes, and audio readouts nearly invisible through polarized sunglasses. Handsome leather upholstery, but hard surfaces most everywhere else, and mere silvery paint instead of metal trim looks like penny-pinching.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base coupe, man. Base coupe w/all-season tires, auto. Class Average
5 5 5.4

Comfortably supportive seats hug without binding, but rearward travel isn't generous, head room just adequate for 6-footers. Some testers want more lumbar support. Low-slung seating demands effort to enter/exit and combines with high beltline, low roof, short windows to inhibit outward vision, especially astern. Deployed spoiler also blocks rear view. No rear wiper available.
Room/Comfort (rear)

Base coupe, man. Base coupe w/all-season tires, auto. Class Average
0 0 .6

(No rear seating)
Cargo Room

Base coupe, man. Base coupe w/all-season tires, auto. Class Average
2 2 2.2

OK for a 2-seater, but most near-luxury rivals offer more utility. Narrow hatch opening. Oddly shaped cargo bay has tall liftover for potential back-straining loading, unloading. Limited in-cabin storage. Just one cupholder.
Value within Class

Base coupe, man. Base coupe w/all-season tires, auto. Class Average
3 4 4.6

Positioned as a sporting coupe, Crossfire isn't as fast or agile as a hard-core sports car. And its compact size and eye-catching styling means it isn't as practical as the typical near-luxury car. Its main assets are a Mercedes-Benz powertrain, German-built cachet, and capable road manners.
Total Score

Base coupe, man. Base coupe w/all-season tires, auto. Class Average
42 44 47.4
Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score
38
Average Score
47
High Score
57
2004 Chrysler Crossfire Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 04/20/2004
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
2004 Base 2-door hatchback, manual $33,620 $31,158 $875
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base
Powertrain
3.2-liter V6 engine, 6-speed manual transmission, traction control.
Safety
Dual front airbags, side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat, 4-way power passenger seat, center console, cupholder, Infinity AM/FM/CD player, tachometer, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, intermittent wipers, universal garage-door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, visor mirrors, rear defogger, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, rear spoiler, 225/40ZR18 front tires, 255/35ZR19 rear tires, alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Powertrain
Retail Price
Invoice Price
5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability
Base
$1,075
$989
Appearance and Miscellaneous
All-season tires
Base
$185
$170
225/40ZR18 front, 255/35ZR19 rear.
2004 Chrysler Crossfire Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Chrysler Crossfire 2-door hatchback
Wheelbase, in. 94.5
Overall Length, in. 159.8
Overall Width, in. 69.5
Overall Height, in. 51.4
Curb Weight, lbs. 3060
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 7.6
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 15.9
Seating Capacity 2
Front Head Room, in. 36.9
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.7
Rear Head Room, in. --
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. --
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  sohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in. 3.2 /195
Horsepower @ rpm. 215 @ 5700
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 229 @ 3000
Availability Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
 
6-speed manual 17/25
5-speed automatic 21/28
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Chrysler Crossfire 2-door hatchback
Front Impact, Driver 5
Front Impact, Passenger 4
Side Impact, Driver 5
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain 7/70,000 $100 deductible per visit.
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 5/100,000 --
Free roadside assistance 3/36,000 --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: Germany
Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive
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