It’s a toss-up as to who has the best mass-market midsize sedan for 2007.
Surprisingly, though, it’s not Toyota or Honda, whose Camry and Accord are the perennial front-runners.
Those two are still in the top five, and quite worthy of your consideration.
But there are three others that outrank them: the new Saturn Aura, and the redesigned Nissan Altima and Chrysler Sebring.
The good news for those who still believe that American cars can make a comeback is that two of the three are from the so-called Detroit Big Three.
Saturn, of course, is from General Motors. I tested and wrote about the Aura last month, and was genuinely impressed.
The Sebring is the other Big Three entry, and this car is everything that a midsize sedan should be.
What’s surprising is that the car it replaced, the 2006 Sebring, was a ho-hum vehicle that was mostly relegated to the rental-car fleet.
In the case of the 2007 Sebring, if you’re traveling and happen to find one when you need to rent a car, you won’t be disappointed.
The experience might prompt you to go home and buy one.
Even the base four-cylinder Sebring ($18,995 with freight) – the one most likely to be included in a rental fleet – is a decently equipped car, not a stripped-down economy model.
For just a bit more, you can upgrade to the midlevel Touring model ($21,595), which we tested.
It comes with a 2.7-liter V-6 engine and even more standard amenities.
The only option on ours was the four-wheel disc brakes ($450, replacing the standard front disc/rear drum brakes), bringing the total price to $22,045.
But the car looked and felt like a premium sedan that should be priced in the low-$30,000s.
The Sebring’s ride and handling are both well above average, thanks to a new isolated suspension system that also helps cut down on noise and vibration inside the passenger compartment. At highway speeds, the interior is surprisingly quiet.
This is not just a partial makeover; the 2007 model rides on an entirely new chassis platform. It’s the same length as the previous model, but is taller and wider, giving it more interior space.
Passengers in both rows have so-called command-of-the-road seating, giving everyone a good view.
The car’s appearance is stunning. Rather than creating just a junior version of Chrysler’s popular, full-size 300 sedan, designers gave the new Sebring its own distinctive exterior, borrowing some of its styling cues from the Chrysler Crossfire sports car.
Aimed at a predominantly female audience, the new Sebring combines style, craftsmanship, performance and value in a package that is affordable and economical to operate.
For the base price, the Sebring comes with a 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.
This is the most fuel-efficient model, with EPA ratings of 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, on par with the leaders in the midsize segment.
Unlike some of its competitors, the Sebring can be equipped with the base engine in all three of its trim levels, including the top-of-the-line Limited model ($23,995) that comes with two-tone leather interior. With many of the Sebring’s competitors, models that have premium features automatically come with larger, less fuel-efficient engines. While our car came with the smallest of the two optional V-6 engines, Chrysler expects that 80 percent of Sebring buyers will choose the four-cylinder, as is the case with the Camry and Accord.
The 2.7-liter engine is rated at 189 horsepower and 191 foot-pounds of torque, and also is available in all three trim levels.
With this engine you also get the four-speed automatic. EPA ratings are still quite good — 22 mpg city/30 highway. This engine also can operate on a mixture of up to 85 percent ethanol (E85) fuel, if you can find it.
While the Limited model’s standard engine is the four-cylinder, it is the only version offered with the 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 235 horsepower and 232 foot-pounds of torque. It’s connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, which helps it achieve EPA ratings of 19 city/28 highway.
No manual gearbox is offered, but that’s no problem as most midsize sedan buyers choose the automatic transmission even when a manual is available.
Probably the most remarkable thing about the new Sebring is that even at the base price, this car comes with features that other automakers reserve for higher-end models that cost thousands of dollars more.
Included are such amenities as a tilt-and-telescopic steering column; side-curtain air bags for both rows of seats; seat-mounted side air bags for the driver and front passenger; antilock brakes; power windows and door locks; a tire-pressure monitoring system; air conditioning; AM/FM/compact-disc audio system with MP3 playback and an input jack for iPods or other portable audio players; a 60/40 split-folding rear seat; rear-door map pockets with bottle holders; a sliding sun visor; a sliding front center armrest; upper and lower storage bins in the center console; dual 12-volt power outlets; and a driver’s side front-seatback map pocket.
Other standard features include painted and heated power mirrors, quad headlights, and bright beltline molding. The base model comes with 16-inch wheels.
Options on the entry model include an upgraded stereo with six-disc CD changer, Sirius satellite radio, hands-free communications system, heated seats, daytime running lights, sunroof, express up/down power window with remote, a vehicle information center, remote start, and a cabin air-filtration system.
Also optional on the base model, but standard on the Touring edition, are Chrysler’s new YES Essentials easy-to-clean premium cloth seats. This fabric is designed to repel most stains, including those from permanent-ink markets, ketchup and mustard – the things kids might have in the back seat.
For the cost of the upgrade to the Touring model, you also get a fold-flat front passenger seat, brushed-aluminum instrument panel and interior trim, express up/down power windows for the driver and front passenger (also controlled by the key fob), LED map lights, automatic headlights, lighted visor mirrors, rear passenger-assist handles, and six speakers for the stereo.
The Touring version comes with 17-inch aluminum wheels and special Touring Edition badging.
Other amenities offered on the Touring model, but not included on our tester, are the new MyGIG Harman/Kardon navigation/infotainment system, which includes Sirius radio and a 30-gigabyte hard drive to hold up to 1,600 MP3 songs; a rear-seat DVD entertainment system; a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; an eight-way power driver’s seat; single-zone automatic climate control; a premium Boston Acoustics audio system; and a universal garage/gate opener.
Another neat option on the Touring and Limited models is a cupholder between the front bucket seats that can heat a drink to 140 degrees or cool it to 35 degrees.
Although this was not included on our test car, it was a feature on the Dodge Caliber that I tested earlier. It takes a while to heat or cool a drink that is placed into the cupholder at room temperature, but if the beverage is already cold or hot, it can help maintain that temperature even on short trips..
Also offered are electronic stability control, traction control and 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels.
Besides the leather interior, standard features on the Limited model include the Boston Acoustics audio system; power driver’s seat; travel computer and electronic vehicle-information center; automatic climate control; theft alarm; tortoise-shell accents on the steering wheel, instrument panel and doors; universal garage opener; electrochromatic rearview mirror; fog lights; satin silver interior door handles; leather steering wheel with audio controls; 17-inch aluminum wheels; and Sirius radio.
Eighteen-inch chromed aluminum wheels are optional on the Limited model with the 3.5-liter engine.
G. Chambers Williams III is staff automotive columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and former transportation writer for the Star-Telegram. His automotive columns have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at (210) 250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.
At a Glance: 2007 Chrysler Sebring sedan
The package: Midsize, four-door, five-passenger, front-wheel-drive, V-6 powered sedan. Highlights: Completely redesigned for 2007, this is Chrysler’s best midsize sedan yet, giving the brand a solid entry in this highly competitive segment. It has great styling, a well-designed interior, and lots of standard amenities. Negatives: Outdated four-speed automatic transmission hurts fuel efficiency – optional six-speed should be standard. Engines: 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder; 2.7-liter V-6; 3.5-liter V-6. Transmissions: Four-speed automatic; six-speed automatic. Power/torque: 173 HP/166 foot-pounds (2.4-liter); 189 HP./191 foot-pounds (2.7-liter); 235 HP/232 foot-pounds (3.5-liter).. Length: 190.6 inches. Curb weight: 3,310-3,525 pounds Brakes, front/rear: Disc/drum, antilock (four-wheel disc optional). Electronic stability control: Optional only on uplevel models. Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; side curtain for both rows. Trunk volume: 13.6 cubic feet. EPA fuel economy: 24 mpg city/32 highway (2.4-liter); 22/20 (2.7-liter); 19/28 (3.5-liter). Fuel capacity/type: 16.9 gallons/unleaded regular. Major competitors: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Mazda6, Mitsubishi Galant, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Subaru Legacy, Pontiac G6, Volkswagen Passat, . Base price range: $18,995-$23,995 including $675 freight. Price as tested: $22,045 including freight and options (Touring model). On the Road rating: 8.5 (of a possible 10).
