First Drive Review
Chrysler's perennial rent-a-convertible has been one of America's most common ragtops since its 1996 introduction. Stunningly attractive in its day, the first Sebring had undeniable appeal, even if no one who drove it would attribute its commonality to more than its styling. Now, after a brief drive of the all-new 2008 Sebring convertible, which, for better or worse, falls in line with the unattractive redesigned 2007 Chrysler Sebring sedan, we find that in spite of offering more technology, more engine choices, and, for the first time, an optional retractable hardtop, the new Sebring lacks even the sort of charisma that made the first Sebring so popular in the first place.
No Longer the Ugly Duckling, but Hardly a Swan
Although still far from beautiful, the Sebring looks much—make that much, much—better as a convertible than a sedan. The convertible-top design dictated a longer trunklid compared with the sedan's, so an additional three inches of length were added, stretching those deep strakes farther down the body in a more becoming way. Furthermore, said contours are interrupted only by the small cutlines of one door, as opposed to two, and the simple two-window greenhouse is far less cluttered than that mess of glass, pillars, and plastic trim found on the upper half of the sedan. Still, she has a face only a manufacturer could love, and even with the Limited's 18-inch wheels, the body appears thick-waisted.
The Three Tops: Motown's Newest Trio
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Sebring is the fact that Chrysler gives its customers—whether they are fleet or retail—no fewer than three choices in convertible top materials. No other convertible has more than one except the Mazda MX-5 (which has two). Base-base-base models (obviously mostly intended for rental fleets) and mid-grade Touring models will come with an easy-to-clean vinyl softtop. A clothtop is part of an upgrade package on Touring models and is standard on top-shelf Limited models, with the aforementioned retractable hardtop optional on both.
The differences among all three are only skin deep, as all three tops use the same motors and structural assembly and fold under the same decklid, which thankfully has been left free of the hood's silly pinstripes. This cost-saving measure means that even the softtops gobble up as much trunk space as the hard ones when sandwiched in back, a configuration that leaves just seven cubic feet of space—enough for two squished golf bags. Top raised, however, all three models boast a huge-for-a-convertible 13 cubic feet, which, incidentally, measures just half a cube less than in the sedan. They also share the same big, attractively curved, heated glass rear window. Thanks to the lack of pillars and the large rear window, the outward vision is excellent from any of the four spacious seating areas.
