2003 Chrysler Sebring Sedan LX review from North America

Car had a pull to the driver's side on test drive. The dealer did an alignment to fix the problem at no cost.

The 2.7L V6, at 200hp, moves the Sebring along nicely. It is overall very quiet, but if you wind up the engine to 3500-4000rpm, it gets a little growl to let you know your foot is on the pedal.

The shifts in the transmission are very firm. It put me off a little on first drive, because I was used to the slushiness of the shifts in a Crown Vic. After about a day, I found the firm shifts strangely enjoyable. Gives it a nice sporty feel vs. the overly slushy shifts generally found in a 'luxury' vehicle.

Handling is quite good, with minimal body roll in tight, fast cornering. Steering is sharp and precise, with just the right amount of power assist to not require a LOT of effort, but more than your pinky finger alone can provide (like the SERIOUSLY assisted Crown Vic).

The front bucket seats are firm, but comfortable, and the lumbar support on the driver's side is welcome. My biggest complaint here is that the seat is not height adjustable (something I'm sure the optional 8-way power seat would fix if I had it). At 6 feet tall, I JUST clear the headliner. My brothers at 6'4" can't get in without reclining more than is probably safe according to the owners manual. The very tall need not try this car.

The usual complaint about the weird positioning of the front cupholders apply. I find it okay if I can use the passenger side cup holder, but to use the driver's side one is probably hazardous while driving. Chrysler loses points here on ergonomics.

I like the simplicity of the heating/cooling controls. In winter, with big gloves/mitts on, they are still easily workable. So for Canadians at least, who worry about those things, good job.

The CD player sounds quite nice, and the radio reception is clear and strong. Myself, I like the 2-band manual EQ settings a LOT more than having to fiddle with the same two settings through a series of button pushes, BUT these days, with a digital system, there's no real excuse for not having digital EQ presets on these things. If nothing else, add a mid-range slider instead of just bass and treble. I know the Sebring is supposed to be "affordable luxury", but come on. Yes, this is a very petty little nit-pick on my part.

The headlights on this car are nothing short of AMAZING! But get used to oncoming vehicles flashing high beams at you. As someone who drives in the dark a lot, headlight function is vital to me. The Sebring does NOT disappoint in this respect. At all.

One thing I DO have a legit beef with are the windshield wipers. The passenger side wiper travels way too far to the left. On intermittent settings, it's not bad. But if you need them on full-time for heavier rain, the top 4 or 5 inches of the blade cut fully across the driver's line of sight (at least at my height, someone shorter may not have this issue). It is VERY distracting. I'm hoping a fresh RainX treatment will prevent even needing the wipers on the highway in the rain though. It has on my last three vehicles anyway.

Overall though, I'm quite happy with the Sebring, my first Chrysler product after 4 Fords and a Kia Rio5 (Cinco in the US). Although, I must say, it's a completely different beast than my brother's old 1972 Satellite Sebring was. ;) (Yeah, the 72 would have SMOKED the 03)