The Chrysler Sebring is an enjoyable car to drive, whether coupe, convertible or sedan. It's no sports car, but feels tight and precise at speed, and nimble and confident without a lot of body lean in corners. At the same time, it offers a smooth, comfortable ride. There's plenty of power from the available V6 engine and we enjoyed the base four-cylinder.
When equipped with the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, the Sebring feels energetic through the gears. The electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is quiet and efficient and works surprisingly well with the four-cylinder engine. Geared for stop-and-go city driving, the Sebring feels quick and accelerates briskly onto the freeway.
The optional V6 is smoother and generates more thrust. It delivers crisp acceleration performance from a standstill and responds quickly for passing maneuvers at freeway speeds. The 2.7-liter V6 used in the sedan and convertible uses an aluminum block fitted with dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. It delivers 200 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 190 pounds-feet of torque at 4850 rpm. It also offers respectable fuel economy (an EPA-estimated 21/28 mpg) and operates on regular-grade gasoline. The exhaust emits a pleasant burble when idling. The 3.0-liter V6 in the coupe generates 200 hp at 5500 rpm and 205 pounds-feet of torque at 4500 rpm. It's a single overhead-cam design with four valves per cylinder.
Chrysler's optional AutoStick provides shift-it-yourself control of the automatic. The AutoStick is fun to play with when you're in a sporty mood. But the standard automatic mode works just fine for everyday use, where it shifts quietly and efficiently. The available 5-speed manual gearbox is easy to shift with smooth clutch engagement and easy up-shifts.
The Sebring suspension is fully independent and remains composed even in bumpy corners. Sedan and convertible share most suspension components, but a rear anti-roll bar on some models reduces understeer for sportier handling. Rack-and-pinion steering gives the Sebring a crisp feel. The coupe delivers a nice ride quality, but you do hear and feel bumps.
Anti-lock brakes are optional, but we recommend them. Chrysler's ABS Plus includes a software extension that senses when you're braking and turning at the same time, a tricky situation from a car control standpoint. Chrysler's system aids the driver in this situation by controlling the vehicle's yaw for improved stability. This is particularly useful on varying road surfaces, when the right side of the car is on a different type of surface than the left side. Other brake improvements include electronic brake distribution, which balances the brakes front to rear for improved stability and shorter stopping distances.
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