2009 Chrysler Sebring

NEW FOR 2009:

- Limited AWD sedan model discontinued

- Cabin air filtration standard on all models

- Touring sedan adds electronic stability control, traction control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and eight-way power driver's seat

- Limited sedan adds remote start, UConnect hands-free connectivity, heated and cooled cupholder, electronic stability control, traction control and rear cargo organizer

- LX sedan adds four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, premium floor mats, cabin air filtration and normal-duty suspension

- Available LX sedan Convenience Group deletes remote start and air filtration

- MyGIG with navigation and Boston Acoustics speakers dropped from Limited sedan

- Touring convertible adds electronic stability control, traction control, power cloth soft top and six-way power front seats

- Limited convertible adds UConnect hands-free connectivity, Sirius satellite radio, electronic stability control, traction control, 18-inch chrome-clad wheels, six-way power front seats, remote start, cargo organizer, heated and cooled cupholders, garage door opener and windscreen

- LX convertible adds power cloth soft top

- Available LX convertible Convenience Group adds remote start

- Exterior colours: Deep Water Blue and Clearwater Blue added; Marathon Blue and Modern Blue discontinued

- Interior colours: Dark Slate Grey replaces Dark/Light Slate Grey Interior

For 2009, the Sebring sedan and convertible are mechanically unchanged, but receive numerous changes to their list of standard and optional features. Most notable is the deletion of all-wheel drive, previously available as an option on the Limited model; all Sebring models are now front-wheel drive only. The base vinyl convertible roof has also been deleted, with all convertibles using a cloth soft top, and two trim lines offering an optional retractable hardtop.

Engine choices for the Sebring are a 2.4-litre four-cylinder with four-speed automatic, a flexible-fuel 2.7-litre V6 with four-speed automatic, and a 3.5-litre high-output V6 with six-speed automatic and manual shift mode. The 2.4-litre is standard on LX sedan and convertible; the 2.7-litre is standard on Touring sedan and convertible, and on Limited sedan; while the 3.5-litre is standard on the Limited convertible and optional on the Limited sedan.

Features on the LX sedan include 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, electroluminescent cluster with exterior temperature gauge, floor mats, power locks with keyless entry, heated mirrors, CD/MP3 stereo, cloth seats, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, cruise control, tilt and telescopic wheel, tire pressure monitor warning lamp, power windows, and variable intermittent wipers.

The Touring adds 17-inch alloy wheels, electronic stability control, traction control, automatic headlamps, fog lamps, Stain Repel seat fabric, fold-flat front passenger seat, eight-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped wheel with audio controls, and one-touch up/down windows.

The Limited sedan adds 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic temperature control, electronic vehicle information centre, garage door opener, six-CD/MP3 stereo, Sirius satellite radio, remote starter, heated leather seats, leather and tortoise shell steering wheel, tire pressure monitoring display, and UConnect hands-free connectivity.

Features on the LX convertible include 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, power cloth top, electroluminescent cluster with exterior temperature gauge, floor mats, power locks with keyless entry, six-CD/MP3 stereo, cloth seats, cruise control, tilt and telescopic sport wheel, tire pressure monitor warning lamp, power windows and variable intermittent wipers.

The Touring convertible adds 17-inch alloy wheels, electronic vehicle information centre, fog lamps, heated mirrors, Stain Repel cloth seats, six-way power driver and passenger seats, tire pressure monitoring display, and express-down window feature on key fob.

The Limited convertible adds 18-inch chrome-clad wheels, automatic temperature control, automatic headlamps, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated leather seats, security alarm, leather and tortoise shell steering wheel with audio controls, and UConnect hands-free connectivity.

A sister car to the Dodge Avenger, the Sebring features a comfortable ride, impressive rear-seat legroom and responsive handling, although its interior quality doesn't always stack up to the competition. The four-cylinder is a great bargain, with gutsy but fairly quiet performance; the 3.5-litre has great acceleration, but you may find that the six-speed automatic shifts too much. There are a number of available options, but oddly, electronic stability control cannot be added to either of the LX models.

The convertible is also relatively well-priced for what you get, and the new standard cloth top is a better-looking alternative to the previous base vinyl roof. The retractable hardtop can be added as an option on the Touring and Limited editions.