2010 Chrysler 300/300C SRT8: The Chrysler 300 brought visual drama to the American sedan in mid-2005 and it has worn surprisingly well, even though many predicted its polarizing style would give it a short lifespan. Meanwhile, its Mercedes-engineered platform (derived from an E-Class) also has lasting merit.
Joining the lineup of Chrysler 300 models this year is a revised 2010 Chrysler 300 Touring, now meant to be a fuel-efficient addition to the line. Equipped with a 2.7-liter V6 instead of the former 3.5-liter V6, it gets an EPA-rated 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway. All-wheel drive continues to be available, and the 360-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8 can be had in the 2010 Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition. The Chrysler 300C SRT8 with its 425-hp 6.1-liter Hemi V8 also continues.
New features for 2010 include keyless entry and ignition (standard on 300C); rear sonar park assist (standard on 300C); chrome door handles and accents (standard on 300 Touring); heated, chrome-finished outside rearview mirrors (standard on Touring); and side curtain airbags (standard on all models).
2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser: The Chrysler PT Cruiser has been with us since March 2000 and it doesn't get enough credit for transforming the American small car. This is a spacious package with a hatchback, a premium appearance and good fuel economy; it's the very thing that the Mini Clubman tries to be, except it's far more affordable. And while it's not cool to say anything good about retro, this design in the style of fat-fendered hot rods of the 1940s still looks great, even after 1.3 million have been sold in 60 countries around the world. And since Chrysler has been making it so long, it's also built pretty well, and tied for 1st place in J.D. Power's 2009 Initial Quality Survey (IQS).
New for 2010 is the PT Cruiser Classic, the 15th variant in the model lineup since 2000. This one is meant to be affordable and fuel-efficient. Cloth seat upholstery and a standard automatic transmission for the customary 16-valve DOHC 2.4-liter inline-4 are the key features.
2010 Chrysler Sebring/Sebring Convertible: There's nothing wrong with the Chrysler Sebring in concept — it's meant to be a grown-up's car with lots of style and no particular aspirations for the highway except a pleasant ride home, a kind of cross between a Ford Thunderbird and a Toyota Solara, only with four doors. Oh, that's right. They don't make the Thunderbird or the Solara any more, do they?
Nevertheless, Chrysler continues to churn out examples of the Sebring, much to our continuing dismay, as this car seems to be inhabited by the ghost of former chairman Lee Iacocca's K-cars from the early 1980s. Chrysler tried to improve the Sebring this year, but it has inexplicably focused its attention on the styling, as the primary improvement is a new, smoothly surfaced hood. And just when Rolls-Royce — among others — had begun to duplicate the Sebring's detailing, so like classic luxury speedboats of the 1930s.
A new Sebring Limited is available for those of the cost-conscious persuasion. Also there is a new instrument cluster plus fresh designs for the 17- and 18-inch wheels. The Sebring convertible is still available with either an affordable soft top or a hardtop, a brilliant marketing idea unfortunately most often seen at your favorite airport rental outlet.
2010 Chrysler Town & Country: Did we mention that Chrysler invented the minivan? Yes, it was Chrysler (corporate Chrysler, we mean) that liberated us from the clutches of the body-on-frame, pickup-truck-based boogie van of the 1970s and brought us carlike handling and refinement in a compact van. You might say that the minivan was the first crossover. And in subsequent years, Chrysler has brought us virtually every important upgrade to the minivan experience, taking the category seriously while other manufacturers came and went.
As far as the Chrysler Town & Country is concerned, this is the minivan with everything on it, all the convenience features and performance upgrades you can ask for. It's the German chocolate cake of minivans, and, sadly, the price of a fully equipped example reflects it. But as we've learned through unfortunate experience, a fully equipped Chrysler minivan is superior to a cost-conscious Dodge minivan, so make your choice wisely.
The Town & Country continues into 2010 largely as before, although the entry-level Limited model has an even taller rear-axle ratio for improved fuel economy.
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