2009 Chrysler Sebring: Road Test
2009 Chrysler Sebring ▼
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- MSRP: $23,040 - $35,125
- Invoice: $21,391 - $32,589
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Our road test for the 2009 Chrysler Sebring includes a full evaluation of the 2009 Chrysler Sebring from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2009 Chrysler Sebring, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2009 Chrysler Sebring help you decide if a 2009 Chrysler Sebring is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 6 | 5.5 |
Four-cylinder Sebrings struggle in passing and merging situations, though they cope adequately with around-town driving. The 2.7 V6 is stronger overall, though its transmission occasionally shifts harshly. Power is ample with the 3.5-liter V6, but the 6-speed's rough, delayed downshifts frustrate passing efforts. Convertibles are up to 400 lb heavier than sedans and are notably slower from a stop and in highway passing and merging.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.7 |
In Consumer Guide testing, a 4-cylinder Touring sedan averaged 19.5 mpg in city/highway driving. Test convertibles averaged 20.2 mpg with the 2.7 V6 and 18.3-20.2 with the 3.5 V6. The 4-cylinder and 2.7 V6 use regular-grade gas. Chrysler recommends 89-octane for the 3.5 V6. The 2.7 V6 can also run on E85 ethanol.
RIDE QUALITY
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Good isolation from bumps and rough surfaces, but highway-speed stability is compromised by excessive body float over dips and swells. Convertibles are reasonably well isolated, though some body shudder is noticed over cracked pavement. There's little apparent difference in rigidity between convertibles with soft or hard top.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.9 |
Nimble at low speeds, but the steering has a less precise feel than that of most midsize competitors. Body lean is pronounced in aggressive cornering. Brakes strong in simulated panic stops.
QUIETNESS
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Road and wind noise are effectively muted. The gruff 4-cylinder roars loudly during even moderate acceleration. The 2.7 V6 is modestly more refined. The 3.5-liter V6 is the most hushed, but still trails most rivals' available V6s for overall polish.
CONTROLS
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 6.2 |
Gauges are simple, though difficult to read at night. The climate controls are set low but are large enough to not require too long a look from the road. The available navigation system absorbs some audio functions, but its controls are fairly intuitive. Note that convertible soft top takes 27 seconds to raise or lower; hard top takes 30 seconds.
DETAILS
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 5.5 |
Sebring's cabin materials are more sturdy than rich and feel notably down market of most midsize rivals. The retractable hard top on one test Limited convertible sometimes stopped in the middle of the closing procedure. It would take several minutes for the system to reset and allow the top to fully close.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 6.7 |
Generous headroom, even beneath the sunroof housing. Chrysler says Sebring's body is about as wide as other midsize sedans, but cabin width is more on par with the compact class. Shoulder space is limited for larger occupants. Narrow roof pillars contribute to good outward visibility.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 4 | 5.1 |
Adult-adequate headroom but no excess legroom. Longish rear doors in sedan aid entry and exit, but the narrow cabin rules out comfortable three-abreast seating for adults. The convertible's rear seat holds only two passengers and is sized for teens; accessing it requires some twisting. The "ease access" sliders to move the front seats out of the way are clumsy to use. The optional wind blocker precludes rear-seat use by any passengers.
CARGO ROOM
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4.1 |
Short decklid and high liftover limit utility of the small but usefully shaped trunk. Sedan rear seats split 60/40 and fold nearly flat. Load possibilities are expanded by the available flat-folding front passenger seat. Top up, the convertible's trunk is nearly as large as the sedan's. Top down, there's still enough space for two golf bags, even with the retractable hard top. A narrow center console and smallish glovebox compromise interior storage options.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 4 | 6.3 |
Sebring's prices are attractive but all versions lack the powertrain refinement and interior roominess of the best in this class. The convertible appeals for its choice of a soft top or the all-weather security of a power-retractable hard top, and it is a reasonable alternative to rival droptops.
Total Score
| Limited sedan, 4-cylinder | Touring convertible w/soft top | Limited sedan w/navigation, 3.5 V6 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 49 | 53 | 63 |
Total Score: 51
Scores for all Midsize Cars
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