Chrysler Sebring reviews

2003 Chrysler Sebring Interior Features

Airy cabins make the Chrysler Sebring a pleasant place to be, whether it's a sedan, coupe, or convertible. Obviously, the convertible offers an airy cabin when you drop the top, but all three use a cab-forward design that extends the windshield forward. There's lots of light coming in and the cabins are roomy, a benefit of front-wheel drive, a transversely mounted engine and a wide track.

These are practical cars that can seat three adults in back. The rear bench seats are split 60/40 and the seatbacks fold down to provide access to the trunk and space for carrying long items. Several interior finishes are available. Sedan LX models come with cloth fabric upholstery. Sedan LXi models come with similar upholstery, but with vinyl bolsters and woodgrain trim that adds warmth. LXi gets eight-way power-adjustable seats and a reclining passenger seat. Sedans and convertibles come with round chrome-rimmed analog instruments with black-on-white graphics.

Coupes get a revised interior for 2003 that comes in black or two-tone taupe. Attractive brushed aluminum trim on the center console and doors of the Sebring Coupe lends an elegant appearance to LX models. A new instrument panel features clock-like gauges with black backgrounds, instead of white. The optional leather seats feel nicer, more supportive than the standard cloth.

Convertible LX models come with cloth fabric. The GTC is trimmed in two-tone Ultrahide (vinyl) with matching door bolsters and color-keyed door handles and trim. The LXi gets leather trim, while the Limited comes with softer premium leather trim. Seats feel firm and comfortable; the driver's seat gets six-way power adjustments.

Unlike some convertibles, the Sebring provides enough room in the backseat for two adults to sit comfortably; and it's fitted with three-point seatbelts. Twin cup holders extend from the rear of the floor console. Front seatbacks tip and slide forward quickly for easy backseat entry, and the front seatbelts do not impede entry because anchors are integrated in top corners of the seatbacks. Trunk space is also good for a convertible; the trunk will accommodate two golf bags stacked together.

The power top drops in seconds with one-button ease to let the sun in and closes quickly to block a sudden shower. It's a snap to operate: Simply unlock two latches located above windshield visors, then touch a single button on the dashboard and the lid folds quickly into a well behind the rear seat. Continue to depress the button and side windows drop out of sight. Reverse the process to seal the top shut. It's quick. You can hide the collapsed roof by covering it with a smooth boot that locks in place with Velcro taps; when not in use, the boot folds and stows in the trunk.

Although the dashboard is essentially flat and linear, there's a wrap-around feel to the cockpit. Window and lock switches are mounted on the driver's door. At the top of the dash, an available display provides compass headings, outside temperature readings, trip mileage, fuel economy and estimated distance to an empty tank.

The center console in the sedan houses the transmission shift lever and a padded armrest. Above the console, a central stack of audio and climate systems contains large rotary dials in a simplified and easy-to-operate scheme. HVAC controls are rudimentary dials and look like those of a compact car, but they work well.

The Sebring provides excellent outward visibility for the driver with broad and tall expanses of window glass and relatively narrow A-pillars. The top of the windshield features a shade similar to that used on Mercedes cars. The glass is thicker than usual, which helps dampen external noise. It combines with the structural streamlining and layers of insulation added to doors, body cavities and the floor and ceiling to reduce noise.

Safety systems begin with a rigid structure that encases the passenger compartment. Passive measures include three-point seatbelts for