NYT: Sebring Undercooked

The New York Times reports: Just Listed: Fixer-Upper in a Busy Neighborhood. Man, does The Times crap on the Sebring.

The sedan looks like the offspring of an arranged marriage between the Chrysler Pacifica crossover van and the Crossfire sports car. The Sebring tries so hard to be so many things, it seems to have a hard time being itself.

The Sebring arrived as something of a premature baby, given that so many “signature features” were promised after the car went on sale. (“Late availability” is the euphemism.) Among these not-ready-for-production items were the heavily advertised “information, entertainment and safety navigation audio system,” heated and cooled cup holders, rear-seat DVD player and L.E.D. interior lighting. I am sure Chrysler’s intentions are good, but I cannot recall Toyota releasing a vehicle before its important features were ready.

That last sentence says it all.

We don't doubt the Sebring is far, far superior to the previous cars Chrysler has made. But this one seems underbaked and not able to live up to its potential. We hope Chrysler puts the Sebring back in the over for a few more minutes because it has the potential to be a tasty alternative to the Camry Cupcake and the Accord Apple Pie.