Editor’s note: You may also want to read Autotrader’s 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2016 Chrysler 200 review. 2017 was the last production model year of the Chrysler 200 for the U.S.
The 2012 Chrysler 200 is one of those rare cars that’s available both as a 4-door sedan or a 2-door convertible. The convertible can be ordered with either a soft-top or hardtop, both of which fold up and disappear into the trunk when lowered.
As a sedan, the 200 is a bit on the small side, with rear-seat legroom and trunk space both in short supply. Because the convertible top folds into the trunk, luggage space drops from 13.3 cu ft. to just 7 cu ft. when the top is down. And the 200 doesn’t quite have the panache and presence of its larger showroom-mate, the 300, which evokes a Bentley-on-a-budget look. But unlike the rear-drive-based 300, the front-wheel-drive 200 doesn’t need all-wheel drive to cope with winter driving. The 200 also fits more easily in garages and tight parking spots and gets better fuel economy than the larger sedan.
The 200 convertible, meanwhile, is roomy as convertibles go but feels more like a cruiser than a sporty car. When it was new, the 200 convertible was a common sight at airport car-rental lots in warm-weather destinations. See the 2012 Chrysler 200 models for sale near you
What We Like
Smooth ride; quiet cabin; good headroom; comfortable front seats; nice interior materials; peppy V6; convertible rear seat and trunk space
What We Don’t
4-cylinder noise and sluggishness; below-par fuel economy; limited front-seat travel in sedan; sedan rear legroom is a bit cramped; no power front passenger seat
Fuel Economy & Engine Specs
All Chrysler 200 sedans and convertibles are configured with front-wheel drive. The 200 LX, Touring and Limited trims come standard with a 2.4-liter dual-overhead-camshaft (DOHC) 16-valve 4-cylinder, producing 173 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque on regular unleaded gas. The 200 LX sedan received an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating of 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with its standard 4-speed automatic transmission. 200 Touring and Limited sedans are rated at 20 mpg city/31 mpg hwy with the 6-speed automatic. The Chrysler 200 convertible comes standard with the 6-speed automatic for 2012 and is EPA-rated at 18 mpg city/29 mpg hwy.
Standard on the 200 S and optional on other trims is the peppy 3.6-liter DOHC Pentastar V6. Output is 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It runs on regular unleaded or E85 (although midgrade unleaded is recommended for best performance) and is teamed with a 6-speed automatic with a manual shift mode. Both sedans and convertibles are EPA-rated at 19 mpg city/29 mpg hwy.
Standard Features & Options
For 2012, the Chrysler 200 sedan comes in LX, Touring, Limited and S trims, while the convertible is available in Touring, Limited and S trims only.
The LX trim includes air conditioning, 17-inch steel wheels, cloth seat trim, manual-adjusting driver’s-seat lumbar and height, a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with steering-wheel controls, an analog clock, cruise control, power windows, heated side mirrors and door locks, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, a power trunk opener, remote keyless entry, a split folding rear seat, dual front airbags, dual front side-impact airbags, overhead airbags, active front-seat head restraints, anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control.
The Touring trim adds automatic climate control, a 6-speaker stereo with SiriusXM radio, a trip computer, a compass, a garage-door opener, auto headlamps, a leather-trimmed shift knob and steering wheel, a 6-speed automatic transmission with a sport shifter, a power driver’s seat and 17-in alloy wheels. Touring options include a power sunroof, 18-in alloys, DVD audio with a 6.5-in touchscreen and heated front seats.
The Limited trim brings leather upholstery, heated front seats, fog lamps, 18-in alloys, Uconnect phone connectivity with voice command, remote starting, touchscreen DVD audio and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Limited options include a navigation system and a Boston Acoustics audio system.
The sporty 200 S trim adds a 3.6-liter V6, leather and suede sport buckets, a perforated-leather steering wheel and a Boston Acoustics audio system.
Pricing
Typically, new Chrysler products depreciate faster than average, which works to the advantage of savvy used-car buyers looking for a bargain. To get a good idea of the 2012 200’s price range, check out the used-car values at KBB.com. You can also search the Autotrader Classifieds to see what models are for sale in your area.
Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced the following recalls for the 2012 Chrysler 200:
On some Chrysler 200 sedans, a faulty control module may fail to deploy the active front-seat head restraints, increasing the risk of injury in a rear-end collision.
On V6 models, debris in the engine block may fail the connecting rod bearings, leading to connecting-rod failure and engine seizure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall repairs are required by law, even if the vehicle is out of warranty. Your dealer can check to see if the repairs were performed and, if not, will fix the car at no charge to you.
Safety Ratings & Warranties
The NHTSA gave the 2012 200 sedan four stars overall, with four for frontal impacts, three for side impacts and four for rollover resistance. It did not rate the crashworthiness of the 2012 200 convertible.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2012 200 sedan a Top Safety Pick rating overall, formed from an Acceptable score for the small-overlap front-impact test and Good scores for the moderate-overlap front-impact, side-impact, roof-crush, head-restraint and seat tests. It also issued Good scores for the moderate-overlap front-impact, side-impact, head-restraint and seat tests for the 2012 200 convertible.
The Chrysler Group covered the 2012 200 with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, along with 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain and corrosion-perforation warranties.
Chrysler certified pre-owned cars cannot have more than 75,000 miles on the odometer and must be 5 years old or less. Every CPO Chrysler 200 undergoes a 125-point inspection. Those that pass receive a 3-month/3,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, plus a 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the car’s original date of sale. Also included are a Carfax report, 24-hour roadside assistance, rental-car allowance and a 3-month trial of SiriusXM radio.
Other Cars to Consider
2012 Chevrolet Malibu — The Malibu is a bit roomier, as it has more rear-seat legroom and trunk space than the 200 sedan. The Chevrolet offers confident handling and styling that emulates some luxury sedans. A thrifty 155-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder is standard, and a peppy 252-hp 3.6-liter V6 is optional. But unlike the 200, no convertible version is offered.
2012 Honda Accord — You’ll pay more, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t consider the eighth-generation Accord that blends sportiness, roominess and comfort in an attractive package. The 271-hp 3.5-liter V6 adds zippy performance, but the base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder’s 177 hp offers plenty of fun-to-drive character and is EPA-rated at 23 mpg city/34 mpg hwy with either the 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmissions.
Autotrader’s Advice
Considering that the 2012 200 you’re looking for has likely experienced considerable depreciation, you might as well take advantage of the situation and look for one of the better-equipped models (such as a Limited with heated leather seats, SiriusXM radio, a touchscreen infotainment interface and 18-in alloy wheels). Also, since the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder is buzzy and has EPA fuel economy ratings almost identical to those of the peppy 3.6-liter V6, look for a 200 with the larger engine. If you are shopping for a convertible, be sure to run the top up and down a few times, and take it through a car wash to see if the top leaks.
Look for a certified pre-owned 200 if possible — or a low-mileage one that’s received obvious care and maintenance. Always check with the dealer to make sure the car you are considering has had its safety-recall items resolved.