When you look at the old Chrysler 200, you get a distinct urge to search for and find who signed off on its design, and then take sweet revenge for the retina scorching ugliness that they allowed.
The new mode is light years in the future compared to it, and with optional all-wheel drive, one of the class’ few real rivals for the (new) Subaru Legacy.
The similarity between the two cars goes further. Not only can you opt for all-wheel drive in the Chrysler, but you can have it as a V6 – definitely a selling point in its favor. It’s a good V6 too, beating the Legacy’s on both power and efficiency fronts, which is odd because the latter has a fuel saving CVT; the Chrysler’s nine-speed self-shifter keeps revs low and mpg high, though apparently it is a bit clunky sometimes.
It really has made the usually simple decision of going out and buying a Legacy slightly harder. Obviously, its all-wheel drive system theoretically can’t match that of the Subaru for loose surface capability, but unlike it, the rear axle is disconnected when not needed, further boosting the frugal factor.
The AutoGuide comparison posted below goes into some detail on both cars.