2008 Chrysler Sebring Limited AWD

What: Loaded to the hilt AWD variant of Chrysler's midsize sedan

What's hot: MyGig entertainment system, Boston Acoustics stereo, cooled/heated cupholder

What's not: Dysfunctional powertrain, poor fuel economy, pricey

On The Road:
At our 2007 Motor Trend Car of the Year competition, the V-6-powered, front-drive Chrysler Sebring Limited posted a 6.8-second sprint from 0-60 mph and ran the quarter mile in 15.3 seconds. Respectable times for the Sebring, to be sure, but underwhelming when compared with the midsize, V-6-powered missiles from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and, most recently, Chevrolet with its new Malibu.

The engine in the Sebring we tested in 2007 -- a 235-hp 3.5-liter V-6 -- is the same block that powers the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Limited AWD I piloted recently. The Chrysler six emits a raspy growl, but when you put your foot in it, the engine struggles to move the 3699-pound car the line -- due in part to the 175 pounds of extra heft over the front-drive model and the addition of the all-wheel-drive system. The six-speed automatic is oddly geared, with a gaping ratio between first and second and a very close one between second and third. It can be reluctant to downshift and sometimes spends seconds looking for a gear. Shifts between first and second often happen with an unpleasant jarring clunk. Steering is numb, and the pedals don't provide nearly enough feedback. Chrysler did a good job of blocking out road noise, and the Sebring's ride borrowed some of Buick's "quiet tuning" when cruising on a smooth road. Bumps and potholes, however, aren't deadened nearly as well and make their presence felt and heard.

Chrysler itself has admitted that the interiors of the Sebring and its Dodge Avenger siblings aren't good enough and went to work last year on an emergency redesign. The current interior isn't bad aesthetically, but improvement is definitely needed in two areas: seats and interior plastics. The seats are uncomfortable and the leather upholstery feels more like vinyl, while the plastics, particularly on the door panels and center console, have a texture that's unpleasant to the touch.

Two bright spots of the car are the six-speaker Boston Acoustics stereo and MyGig entertainment system. The speakers supply crisp highs and great bass response, making for one of the best stock stereos in its class. The $300 MyGig system is worth it for the simple and intuitive touch screen interface alone, the hard drive can be treated as an added bonus.

As for the much-celebrated Chrysler cupholder, it's a nifty idea that actually works pretty well, but it's available only as part of the $1395 luxury package, which includes 18-inch chrome wheels that look silly with the Sebring's considerable wheel gap. It would work better as a selling point if it were available as a stand-alone option, even if it cost around $200.

Like this? Try these: Ford Fusion, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu

Bottom line: Fails to make a compelling case for itself in light of the competition