2009 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
by Jim Prueter -12/2008
Restyled Sebring still has rental car feel
After skipping the 2007 model year, the Chrysler Sebring Convertible returned, completely restyled, for 2008. For 2009 it is virtually unchanged from 2008.
The most noticeable change, other than new sheet metal and revamped interior, is the choice of three convertible tops. The base model sports a vinyl top, one step up is cloth and at the top of the line, a new retractable hardtop. Sebring joins Pontiac G6 and Cadillac XLR as the only domestic brands to offer the feature.
The queen of warm-weather climate rental fleets, the Sebring convertible isn’t a bad choice for a few days or perhaps a full week in Hawaii, Arizona or Florida. But it isn’t a vehicle you would want parked in your driveway on a full-time basis.
While it’s one of the roomiest of all convertible offerings, with a rear seat that will accommodate two adults and a trunk that will hold luggage or four sets of golf clubs with the top down, Sebring’s driving dynamics are dismal.
Handling is clumsy and Sebring simply doesn’t deliver on ride quality. The body quivers and flexes, regardless of whether the top is up or down. It rattles, groans and squeaks. When pushed into corners the Sebring leans and wallows, exhibiting severe understeer.
Sebring is offered in a choice of three trim levels: LX ($28,130), Touring ($30,610) and Limited ($35,464). The LX is powered by a 2.4-liter 173-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. The Touring features a 2.7-liter 186-horsepower V-6 with the same four-speed transmission. The Limited has 3.5-liter 235-horsepower V-6 with a six-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick manual shifting. The 2.7-liter V-6 is optional on the base LX model.
We tested the middle offering Touring Sebring, with the optional Electronics Convenience Group package, electronic stability control and Uconnect phone. Total MSRP is $31,620.
Our Touring model came with standard cloth seats that we found roomy, but uncomfortable, and the cloth convertible top. The top raises and lowers with the press of a button on the dash just to the left of the tilt and telescoping steering wheel. The front seat belts are integrated into the front seats. While this affords easy entry and exit to the rear seat, you can’t adjust the anchor height, which is low, especially for tall drivers.
Outside, the Sebring, while vastly improved over the previous generation, still isn’t much to look at. It is bland and certainly won’t turn any heads. The hood features deep strakes, a look carried over from the now defunct Chrysler Crossfire.
Inside, the look is simple and plain with a two-tone color dash that includes three green-glow backlit instrument portals. Two rectangle air vents sit at the top of the center stack with an analog clock in the middle. There’s an overuse of hard plastic materials that are ill fitting with uneven gaps and rough edges that cheapen the overall look.
Standard safety equipment includes four-wheel antilock brakes, dual front and front-seat side airbags. In government crash tests, the 2009 Sebring scored four stars for driver protection and five stars for passenger protection in frontal collisions. It scored five stars for front and rear passenger protection in side impacts. In frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Sebring scored the best possible “Good” rating.
Overall, we found the Sebring convertible a disappointing vehicle that was boring to drive, even with the top down. In this price class we much prefer the Volkswagen Eos, Volvo C60 and Ford Mustang. If you’re considering purchasing a Sebring we suggest renting one for a few days first to judge for yoursel
