2007 CHRYSLER SEBRING TOURING

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Joseph Thompson
7 years ago
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1 2007 CHRYSLER SEBRING TOURING The all-new 2007 Sebring is a structurally stiffer vehicle, with 70% more torsion resistance and 60% more resistance to bend. Except for a 2.2 cm gain in wheelbase length and a 10.4 cm increase in height, dimensions are pretty much the same as before. A front-drive mid-size sedan, the Sebring is served up in base, Touring and Limited trim levels. Three engine choices are offered, a 2.4L 4-cylinder, a 2.7L V6 that can run on an 85% ethanol fuel blend, and a 3.5L V6. Interior and trunk The cabin is easy to enter and exit but the seats are far from comfortable for certain body types. Some people will complain that the seats are too hard; others, however, may appreciate their firmness on long trips. The big side bolsters can be an annoyance for heavily built individuals, and the seatback s convex curve in the lumbar area can also be a problem. Many people will find that the head restraints are too close to their head. The tilt-telescoping steering wheel makes it easy to find a good driving position but because of its shape the hub may hide the gauges for some drivers. Narrow door openings hamper access to the back. The rear bench is comfortable for two adults; the imposing tunnel takes up all the legroom in the middle. Headroom and legroom are adequate in the other seating positions. The folding seatback is split 60/40. A lack of trunk height and a small trunk opening limit luggage space. Photo : Chrysler

2 Convenience and safety features The cabin is very well finished throughout and the quality of materials is generally good, though the hard plastic on the doors is disappointing. Road and wind noise dampening needs improvement. Storage spaces abound and include a spacious centre console. Available as an option are cup holders that chill or heat to keep beverages C cold or 60 0 C hot. Gauges and controls are well laid out and easy to use. Unfortunately, some of the controls and the glove compartment are not illuminated at night. The climate control system is efficient, with intermediate positions between the air distribution settings for more flexibility. Safety equipment includes two front, two side and two head curtain airbags, an antilock braking system and four head restraints. The rear restraints are non-adjustable and too low for people of average height or more. Visibility is good except on a three-quarter-rear angle because of the wide C-pillars, and rearward when backing up. The headlamps come up short for both intensity and range, especially in the low-beam position. In crash tests conducted by the U.S. government, the Sebring obtained five stars, out of five, for front-occupant protection in frontal and side impacts. It earned four stars for rear-passenger protection in a side crash, and four stars for rollover resistance. Engine and transmission The 3.5L V6 puts out 235 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, providing vigorous acceleration and lively, palpable pickup. The engine climbs easily through the gears and moves the car along briskly. The accelerator could be a bit more progressive, and in our test car, engine idle was irregular at times. This engine meets Tier2 Bin5 emissions control standards. The new six-speed automatic transmission generally shifts very smoothly and is well geared. In manual mode you can drive off in second, third, fourth or even fifth gear. On the road The firm suspension provides a smooth ride overall, but the reaction can be very firm and even harsh on some bumps. The suspension is noisy at times. Road holding is very good. You can feel the platform stiffness and that this is a fairly weighty car.

3 Though a bit heavy, the power steering is stable, precise and quite quick. There is practically no road feel, and the turning circle is a tad wide. The brakes perform well in normal driving but display a lack of power and spongy pedal feel in emergency braking manoeuvres. However, they resist well to fade. Inspection Our inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre showed that while the Sebring s platform is sturdy, there is no rust proofing and several joints are not sealed. Road debris can get through a large opening under the front bumper and damage the air conditioner condenser. The camshafts of the 3.5L V6 are belt driven. Conclusion The new Sebring is clearly better than its predecessor, especially in structural rigidity and resulting road comportment. It also offers a choice of three engines, which few competitors do. However, the omnipresence of plastics in the passenger compartment, the fact that there is really only room for four, front seats that don t fit many people and the small trunk may drive buyers away. PROS: powerful 3.5L engine, smooth transmission, sturdy platform, road holding, choice of engines, good storage spaces CONS: front seats that don t fit all sizes, sound isolation, limited threequarter visibility, just room for four, trunk capacity and opening, omnipresent plastics 2007 CHRYSLER SEBRING Engine: 16-valve, 2.4-litre 4-cylinder; 24-valve, 2.7-litre V6; 24-valve, 3.5-litre V6 Horsepower: 173 hp at 6,000 rpm; 189 hp at 6,400 rpm; 235 hp at 6,400 rpm Torque: 166 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm; 191 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm; 232 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm Transmission: 4-speed automatic; 6-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: disc/disc (disc/drum on base version) Wheelbase: cm Length: cm Width: cm (without mirrors)

4 Height: cm Weight: 1,491 to 1,587 kg Tires: P215/65R16; P215/60R17; P215/55R18 Maximum towing capacity: 907 kg Airbags: dual front, plus two side and two curtain airbags Fuel consumption with 3.5-litre: Transport Canada rating: City: 12.9 L/100 km (22 mpg) Test result: 11.5 L/100 km (25 mpg) Highway: 7.7 L/100 km (37 mpg) Test temperature: 5 0 C to 28 0 C Fuel tank capacity: 64 litres Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline (or E85 with 2.7-litre) Acceleration: km/h: 8 seconds km/h: 5.4 seconds Competition: Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Magentis, Mazda6, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Pontiac G6, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/unlimited km Perforation damage: 5 years/160,000 km Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module). Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $585 Front brake disc: $92 Brake pads: $101 Muffler: $682 Front fender: $173 Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $693 to $869

5 Price according to trim level: Base version: $22,995 Touring: $26,050 Limited: $29,775 Main options: Convenience group: $530 to $685 Sunroof: $995 Sirius radio: $ litre: $1,025 (Touring) Rear seat video system: $1,645 to $3,185 Heated front seats: $295 (Touring) Price as tested: $29,715 Freight and preparation: $1,300 Dealers: Quebec: 157 Canada: 595 May All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec

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