Chrysler Sebring Interior Review
If you've seen the interior of a Mitsubishi Eclipse or Eagle Talon, you've seen much
of the Sebring's cabin hardware. The dashboard is carried over virtually intact,
complete with eye-catching shape and legible instrumentation. Not to mention dual
airbags.
Base model gauges include speedometer, tachometer, fuel level and coolant temperature;
V6 versions get an oil pressure gauge as well.
The key element missing in most small sport coupes is roominess, and the Sebring has
that in abundance. The cabin can hold four adults easily for short and medium-length
trips, or two adults plus two kids for any distance. None of the smaller sport coupes
can make this claim.
The seats are comfortable and adjust to fit almost all occupants. The front
passenger's seat has a one-touch slide-forward feature that substantially improves
access to the rear. On paper, the rear seat holds three people, but two is a more
realistic proposition.
Sebring is quiet inside, too. A combination of good aerodynamic design and plenty of
sound insulation keeps outside noises at bay, allowing occupants to enjoy the standard
AM/FM/cassette stereo sound system (with four speakers in LX, eight in LXi) without
interference.
Air conditioning is also standard on all models, whether entry-level (Sebring LX or
Avenger) or fancy (LXi or ES). Many of the upgrade model's standard features,
including power windows/mirrors/door locks, cruise control, cast-aluminum wheels,
remote keyless entry and a HomeLink 3-channel transmitter that can be programmed to
operate garage-door openers and two additional remote-control home features, can be
ordered for base versions. Leather interior trim is optional on LXi and EX models
only.
Options common to all Sebrings and Avengers are a power tilt/slide sunroof, power
driver's seat, and a smoker's kit that adds a lighter and ashtray to the center
console.
Chrysler Sebring Road Test
For the majority of drivers, those who spend a great deal of travel time on city
streets and interstate highways, the Sebring will do the job very well. It rides
smoothly, is quiet, and has enough power for passing or hill-climbing. If, that is,
the Sebring--or Avenger--in question has the Mitsubishi-built V6 engine. The smaller
Neon-derived inline-4 is less powerful and substantially louder. Although the Neon
4-cyl. is one of the most spirited engines in the world of compact cars, in
Sebring-Avenger applications it's pulling a car that's substantially heavier.
If the 4-cyl. powerplant holds any appeal, it is in the availability of a 5-speed
manual transmission; the V6 comes with 4-speed automatic only.
The Sebring's chassis is largely carried over from the Mitsubishi Galant sedan. It's
stiff, and has all the right pieces, including double-wishbone suspension front and
rear and ABS (V6 models have disc brakes all around, base versions use drums in back),
but suspension tuning has compromised handling in favor of a sedan-like ride. While
that's just fine for daily use, we'd have preferred a slightly stiffer setup that
would deliver more driving pleasure as well.
To its driver, the Sebring feels far heavier than the curb weight indicates. It is
reluctant to get into the spirit of back-road driving, leans more than we'd like, and
in general lacks the kind of precise behavior expected in a sporting car. The Honda
Prelude and Ford Probe, to name just two, are much stronger performers in this regard.
So are the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Eagle Talon.
One major drawback is the power steering which, like similar units that vary boost
based on engine speed, sometimes picks inopportune moments to reduce effort.
Chrysler Sebring Lineup