2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

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Up front, the driver and passenger get very comfortable chairs with integrated seatbelts and enough adjustments to find a good driving position. When a big six-footer puts a front chair back, rear-seat legroom drops—but the adults in our Sebring's rear seat didn't complain about the remaining space. The rear seat's backrest is a little upright to be comfortable for hours, but among the four-seat hardtop convertibles, it feels the most spacious.

The Sebring's trunk has grown, too, so it can be used to carry bags or other types of cargo even when the top is stowed. Even when the top is down, the Sebring will be able to carry two golf bags, something we simulated with luggage and nearly, a consenting adult.

The most impressive step forward in the Sebring lineup is the new car's stiff body. For such a large convertible, the Sebring has minimal shake in its windshield and little twist in its midsection. Chrysler says it's 2.5 times less twisty and 1.5 times less bendy than the old car, and it's readily confirmed by driving a laden Sebring and taking in the calm.

Looks aren't deceiving

You can't have it all—engineers, like everyone else, known this golden rule. The net gains of a good body structure, a spacious cabin, and a hardtop option are countered in the Sebring by a forgettable shape that's just plain awkward with the hardtop raised.

The Convertible shares some of the Sebring sedan's styling elements, like a toothy grille, ribbed hood and a snub nose, that give the nose a busy look. From the sideview, with the hardtop raised, the Sebring is blocky and the myriad cutlines for the folding top scar the silhouette. They make the darker color choices the best ones, since lighter colors emphasize all the creases. Things improve with the soft-top models, and with the top down the Sebring is somewhat pleasant—but it's a marked step back from the more generically handsome car it replaces.

The cabin fares a little better, but it's an odd assemblage of shapes, textures, and colors. Sharp tortoiseshell trim is available, and the shield-shaped dash pieces are interesting, but the inexpensive plastic vents are afterthoughts, and the metallic panels on the door trims of some models looked wholly unrelated to the rest of the car. Functionally, it's about as easy to use as an iPod—which you can plug into its audio system.

It's a good thing the Sebring is laden with useful features like the MP3 jack. There's also a locking glovebox, a center floor console with dual storage bins, and a sliding armrest that moves three inches to provide a more comfortable position for all drivers. For entertainment, there's MyGIG, an entertainment/navigation system that features a 20-gigabyte hard drive, and Sirius satellite radio. A heated/cooled cupholder, stain-resistant seat fabric, and a seatback with a map pocket for storage are faired in.

Standard features include the vinyl top, a telescoping steering wheel, power windows/locks/mirrors and cruise control. The Touring model adds YES Essentials fabric, a tire pressure monitor display, a trip computer and chrome door handles, heated mirrors and 17-inch wheels. The Limited gets a standard cloth top, leather seats, tortoiseshell trim, Boston Acoustics audio, a theft alarm, and 18-inch wheels.

The new Sebring Convertible arrives in showrooms in the spring.

2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Base price: $26,145; Touring, $28,745; Limited, $32,345

Engines: 2.4-liter in-line four, 173 hp/168 lb-ft; 2.7-liter V-6, 189 hp/191 lb-ft; 3.5-liter V-6, 235 hp/232 lb-ft

Transmission: Four- or six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive

Length x width x height: 193.8 x 71.5 x 58.5 in

Wheelbase: 108.9 in

Curb weight: 3432 lb

Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 23/31 mpg (2.4-liter four); 20/28 mpg (2.7-liter V-6); 18/28 mpg (3.5-liter V-6)

Standard safety features: Anti-lock brakes; dual front and front side airbags

Major standard features: Sixteen-inch wheels; remote keyless entry; tilt/telescoping steering; power windows/locks/mirrors; power front seats; cruise control

Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles

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