2007 Chrysler Sebring restyled, improved

Forget Chrysler's old, nice Sebring midsize sedan. Nice won't get you noticed in the auto industry.

So the new-for-2007 Sebring -- with intriguing style lines on its hood, a taller profile and a slightly higher driver's seat -- has a more distinctive appearance that won't be confused with other, look-alike family sedans. It also comes with more safety equipment, better ride and handling and more features than its predecessors.

Among the new items is an available on-board 20-gigabyte computer hard drive that can handle navigation and information needs as well as personal music and photo storage.

And with the addition of a second V-6 to Sebring, the 2007 car becomes one of the few mid-size sedans offering American consumers a choice of three engines.

Best of all, the new Sebring is even more affordable, at least in starting retail price, than its 2006 predecessor.

Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including delivery charge, for a base, 2007 Sebring is $18,995. This includes a four-speed automatic transmission and a new, 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

The base 2006 Sebring sedan started at $20,730.

The new pricing is more in line with major competitors.

For example, the 2007 Ford Fusion starts at $18,845 for a base, 160-horsepower, four-cylinder model with automatic transmission, and the 2007 Hyundai Sonata starts at $18,945 for a base GLS model with 162-horsepower, four cylinder and automatic transmission.

Redesigned on a platform that's also used by the new-for-2007 Dodge Caliber, the Sebring gets its first major revision since the 2001 model year.

Offered in three trim levels -- base Sebring, Touring and Limited -- the 2007 Sebring seems to have a combined Mercedes-Chrysler exterior appearance.

Headlights and front fascia remind me of a Mercedes (the Chrysler Group is part of Mercedes' parent company DaimlerChrysler of Germany), while the stylized lines on the Sebring hood evoke the Chrysler Crossfire. These lines also are on the hood of Chrysler's new sport utility vehicle, the 2007 Aspen, so expect to see this design element around for a while.

Inside, the Sebring's interior echoes the hood lines here and there -- on the inside of the doors and on the dashboard in front of the front passenger.

But the overall interior is clean and well-arranged.

Shoppers should be sure to check out the Yes Essentials seat fabric that's offered as an option in the base Sebring and standard on the Touring model.

Chrysler officials said it's stain-, fade- and even odor-resistant. All I know is it looks attractive, is pleasant to rest on -- with none of the extreme hot and cold surfaces of leather -- and can even be fitted over optional heated seats.

The test car didn't come with Chrysler's optional 20-gig hard drive in the dashboard.

Called MyGig, it was developed with stereo maker Harman/Kardon and will be available later in the model year on mid- and upper-level Sebring models.

It is a bit pricey, adding $2,595 to the cost of a four-cylinder Sebring Touring car, for example, because another option package is required, too.

The front-wheel drive Sebring rode stably, even in long, sweeping curves. With its more rigid platform and stronger body structure, the Sebring now has a ride that keeps the driver connected to the road without being mushy or harsh.

I did notice some wind noise by the front passenger window at highway speeds, and a bit of road noise. Like all Touring models, the tester had uplevel, 17-inch tires.

The base, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generates 23 more horsepower than the previous car. Torque is improved, too, at 166 foot-pounds at 4,400 rpm.

It's enough to move the Sebring along in sprightly fashion, without a lot of fuss.

A major benefit is the rated fuel economy of 24 miles a gallon in city driving and a commendable 32 mpg on the highway. No manual transmission is offered.

Other engines are a 189-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 that can operate on E85 gasoline containing ethanol and a 235-horsepower, 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 that comes with Chrysler's first six-speed automatic in the Sebring.

The new Sebring is about the same length and width as the 2006 version, but inside there's a tad more shoulder room and hip room. Because the car is taller, there's also more headroom, which is needed because the driver's seat cushion sits up 2.5 inches taller than in the earlier Sebring.

This, plus decent height adjustment, helps drivers see a bit better, though vans and pickup trucks still ride higher and can block driver views.

I also found it odd that the Sebring has no handles above the doors to help passengers climb in and out. These handles are in about every other car.