We love it when carmakers have the guts to put their products up against the competition in actual tested and measured comparisons. Unfortunately, that's a rare event, and that's not what we have here. Instead, Chrysler employs a host of yes-men (and women) to talk up the new 2011 200 while talking down the Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion.
Admittedly, making grandiose subjective statements without any frame of reference or evidential basis takes some serious cojones--just not the same kind it takes to actually put a yardstick on the claims, despite being pitched as a direct comparison to the Malibu and Fusion.
Our own Marty Padgett got behind the wheel of the 200 back in November, and came away with appreciation for the massive upgrade over the Sebring, but less than impressed overall, noting that the 200 is "still unlikely to trip up the Subaru Legacy, Ford Fusion, the Hyundai Sonata or the Kia Optima on its way out of recovery, but the fleet-car stigma is showing signs of healing over."
That doesn't exactly square with statements like "far and away a lot better than anything Chevy's putting out right now," but we'll leave the final judgment up to you. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
[Chrysler via YouTube]
