Editor’s note: You may also want to read Autotrader’s 2014, 2015, 2016 or 2017 Chrysler 200 review.
The 2013 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. For 2013, the convertible’s handling is improved with upgraded springs, shocks and a front anti-roll bar. See the 2013 Chrysler 200 models for sale near you
What We Like
Improved handling of the 2013 convertible; 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 and Touring 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 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 and is EPA-rated at 18 mpg city/29 mpg hwy.
Standard on the Limited sedan and Limited and S convertibles and optional on Touring sedans 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 2013, the Chrysler 200 sedan comes in LX, Touring and Limited trims, while the convertible is available in Touring, Limited and S trims.
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 front 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, 4-wheel anti-lock disc 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, voice control and heated front seats.
The Limited trim brings leather upholstery, heated front seats, fog lamps, Uconnect phone connectivity with voice command, remote starting, the touchscreen Boston Acoustics audio system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and, on convertibles only, 18-in alloys. Limited options include a navigation system, 18-in polished alloy wheels, a sunroof and SiriusXM Travel Link.
The S trim is on convertibles only for 2013. S trim upgrades include heated leather front and rear seats with suede inserts, a perforated-leather-wrapped steering wheel, the Boston Acoustics audio system and blackout moldings.
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 2013 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 2013 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 4-cylinder models, debris in the engine block may fail the balance-shaft bearings, and the resulting loss of oil pressure may stall or seize the engine, increasing the risk of a crash.
A broken fuel-tank control valve may stall the engine or leak, creating a fire risk.
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
NHTSA gave the 2013 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 2013 200 convertible.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2013 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 2013 200 convertible.
The Chrysler Group covered the 2013 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
2013 Chevrolet Malibu — All new for 2013, the Malibu loses its roomy back seat and luxury-car proportions but gains improved handling and braking. A new direct-injected 182-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder is standard, and there’s a new mild hybrid Eco model EPA-rated at 25 mpg city/37 mpg hwy. Last year’s 3.6-liter V6 is replaced with an optional 259-hp 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder.
2013 Honda Accord — You’ll pay more, but the all-new ninth-generation Accord is just more car and a satisfying blend of sportiness, roominess and comfort in an attractive package. The 278-hp 3.5-liter V6 adds zippy performance, but the base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder’s 185 hp offers plenty of fun-to-drive character and is EPA-rated at 23 mpg city/34 mpg hwy with either the 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions.
Autotrader’s Advice
Considering that the 2013 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 Boston Acoustics speakers). 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.
