Midsize sedans have not been hot items for American consumers this year, so why then have sales of the Chrysler 200 been up triple digits in 2015?Watch video
DETROIT, MI - Midsize sedans have not been hot items for American consumers this year.
As we note - almost daily, if not sometimes hourly - vehicle buyers in the U.S. have been gravitating toward SUVs, crossovers and pickup trucks as fuel prices remain low.
So why then have sales of the Chrysler 200 midsize sedan been up triple digits in 2015? Sometimes the most obvious explanation is the correct one.
That seems to be at least partially case for the Chrysler 200's 128 percent sales jump to 121,677 units sold in the first seven months of the year: The 200 being sold is the all-new model, updated from a previous generation that dated back to 2007.
That's not to say FCA's midsize sedan does not have some things going for it.
"While there is still plenty of fleet activity going on for the Chrysler 200, the new 200 is a head and shoulders improvement over its predecessor, from the transmission to the premium features and on, " said Akshay Anand, an analyst for Kelley Blue book. "The 200 starts at $21,995, so the price point is right around other midsize sedans despite Chrysler being a more premium badge than some competitors in the segment, which attracts some consumers to it."
The midsize segment's lagging activity in the U.S. has also allowed the 200 to lure some shoppers looking for the most recently-updated product on the market, Anand added.
Not surprisingly, Chrysler is pleased with the way the 200 is performing.
"It was a huge leap ahead," FCA spokeswoman Kathy Graham said of the 2015 Chrysler 200. "We think it's a true competitor in the segment."
The midsize segment is typically geared toward a driver who has longer commutes. FCA took this into account, ensuring that it has all of the latest electronic features and creature comforts that those commuters would want on the dash and in the cockpit, Graham said.
The Chrysler 200 is FCA's answer to segment rivals such as the Honda Accord, the Ford Fusion or the Toyota Camry, to name a few. There is also an all-wheel drive version aimed at the likes of Subaru or even some German competitors.
Inside a 200C AWD
As seen in the video above, we got a closer look at a fully loaded Chrysler 200C AWD. It had a heated steering wheel, heated seats and premium ventilated front seats. It had real wood and bronze accents on the interior.
Other optional equipment included advanced brake assist, lane departure warning and forward collision warning.
This 200C is rated 18 miles per gallon city, 29 mpg highway, for a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg. We were averaging 26 miles per gallon in a week of driving both city roads and highways.
Under the hood is a 3.6L, 24-valve VVT V-6 engine, mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The 200C seemed eager enough, though it was perhaps unfairly following a tough act: The week before we were in a Dodge Challenger Scat Pack that could absolutely launch.
The base price for the Chrysler 200C AWD is $30,825. This fully loaded model seen in the video is priced at $37,095.
David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook.