2010 Chrysler Sebring
The 2010 Chrysler Sebring is a safe bet for consumers looking for a solid sedan at a reasonable price. The Sebring has an EPA Fuel Economy of City: 16 – 21 and Highway: 26 – 30. It has a starting MSRP of $20,120 – $34,705. A domestic mainstay in the midsize segment, the Chrysler Sebring is one of only a handful of reasonably priced vehicles to be offered as both a sedan and a convertible. The current Chrysler Sebring is the result of a full redesign that was undertaken in hopes of making it more desirable and competitive. The Sebring cabin is pleasant. With an available DVD rear-seat entertainment system, navigation and uconnect, the Sebring's available technology is as good as or better than anything in the class. The Sebring is available with three different engines, a 173-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder, a 189-hp 2.7-liter V6 or a 235-hp 3.5-liter V6. A four-speed automatic is bolted to the 2.4L and 2.7L engines, while the 3.5L gets a six-speed automatic. The convertible offers two different tops, a cloth soft top, or a power retractable hard top. LX, Touring, and Limited are the available trims for the convertible, the sedan is offered in Touring, or Limited. For 2010, changes are minimal, but new is flex-fuel capability available on the 2.7-liter V6 engine, and active front head restraints have been added.
Driving the Sebring
The performance of the Chrysler Sebring is not exactly class leading, but it does the job. Against the competition, the Sebring rates about middle of the road for handling and ride quality. For commuting, every Sebring rides smoothly, with good balance between the front and rear suspensions over uneven pavement. Rough pavement produces some shake in the convertible, less with the top up; the hardtop quells the shudders best. The 3.5 liter V6, however, offers great performance and is well suited to power the Sebring. Ride quality is generally pleasant, soaking up most bumps well. Handling is competent in the sedan. The convertible lacks the driving feel of the sedan however.
2010 Chrysler Sebring Power
The 2010 Chrysler Sebring is offered with three engine options. The standard base engine is an inline 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The four-cylinder engine is rated at 173 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque; the 2.7-liter V6 at 186 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque; and the 3.5-liter V6 at 235 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The 2.7-liter V6 will run on gasoline or E85, the combination of 85-percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline. Even the four-cylinder is fairly responsive in the sedan, but the V6 is the best choice for the convertible. And the six-speed automatic is more responsive than the four-speed automatic. Both V-6 engines are rated to tow up to 1,000 pounds. The 3.5 V6 is only offered on Limited models.
Chrysler Sebring Cabin
The Sebring is about average for cabin size in its class, but the sedan's trunk is on the small side, and the convertible's is even smaller. The quality of the materials is consistent with the car's price range: good, but not great. Speakers sit on top of the dash, with the vent registers outboard in a contrasting surround. The sedan seats five. The convertible offers good interior space up front. The front passenger seat has an optional fold-flat feature to accommodate longer cargo passed through the 60/40-split folding rear seat. A windscreen is standard on convertible Limited models; it stands behind the front headrests to help reduce noise and turbulence commonly associated with convertibles. Both the Sebring sedan and convertible have a simple cabin. Opting for the Convenience Group Package on the base convertible adds a power top. The Sebring sedan offers competitive passenger room, with plenty of room up front and a useful rear seat. The Sebring cabin is pleasant. With an available DVD rear-seat entertainment system, navigation and uconnect, the Sebring's available technology is as good as or better than anything in the class.
2010 Chrysler Sebring Design
Both body styles of the Sebring feature the current rendition of the idiomatic Chrysler grille: egg-crate with bright horizontal strips and topped by the brand's winged crest. A substantial, but otherwise unremarkable bumper tops a slim lower air intake bracketed by two, smaller, grille-like openings at the outer ends of which pods provide housings for fog lamps. The Sebring has large C-pillars and a stubby trunk. 17-inch steel wheels are standard; seventeen- and 18-inch alloy wheels are optional. The sedan's trunk lid is shorter than the convertible's trunk lid. The size of the 2010 Sebring is about average for its class, it is roughly the same length as the Camry, Accord and Fusion. The biggest drawback is the small trunk size, but other than that the Sebring is a stylish and well designed vehicle. The 2010 Sebring convertible is a popular version of the Sebring and offers a convertible at a very reasonable price. Availability of a retractable hardtop convertible distinguishes the Sebring lineup from its popular competitors. The 2010 Sebring convertible offers a choice of vinyl or cloth soft tops or the retractable hard top. The convertible adds over about 400 pounds to the car's curb weight.
Conclusion
Safety features on all models include multi-stage front airbags, torso-protecting front side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and constant-force retractors, rear-seat child safety seat anchors and tethers (LATCH), and antilock brakes. Sedans have head-protecting side curtain airbags for both seating rows. Electronic stability program plus traction control and Brake Assist, which enhances emergency braking, are optional, and we recommend it. The Sebring is available as a four-door sedan or two-door convertible with a retractable hardtop or traditional soft-top. Sedan competitors include the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion, while the convertible goes head-to-head with the Pontiac G6 and Volkswagen Eos. For more details, pictures, and pricing, read a 2010 Sebring overview by Motortrend.
