It’s hard to overstate how much this car, the all-new 200, means for the Chrysler brand.
Not only does it have to replace the bad memories of rental-car mediocrity that so many drivers experienced in the old Chrysler Sebring, but it also has to prove that FIAT-based cars can be fully tailored to the American market.
And, make no mistake, the 200 is trying its best to turn an Italian car into something that feels more American.
Unlike the Dodge Dart, the compact car that was hastily cranked out after FIAT’s takeover of Chrysler a few years ago, the 200 has had some extra time to steep in the U.S.A.’s unique flavor. The ride is softer and more refined, particularly in the luxury-oriented 200C trim, and comes with the quiet cabin and upscale feel that recent Chrysler buyers will find familiar.