Chrysler Sebring

The Chrysler Sebring is a mid-sized to large American saloon that’s pitched to tempt us away from more traditional rivals. But nowhere near good enough to extricate us from Ford’s Mondeo, never mind anything with a German badge.

• Comfort

  Supposedly ‘engineered for Europe'. Yes. Unfortunately engineered for Europe by the Americans, who don't live there. The suspension is soft, there's scuttle-shake despite the fact this is a Sedan and it makes you travel sick. Very comfortable in a straight line, driving on glass, when you're drunk.

  

• Performance

  There are a pair of Chrysler's own engines on offer - a 125kW 2.4 and a 137kW 2.7 V6. The smaller 2.4 petrol is surprisingly good, with 0-100km/h in 11.1 seconds and a 190km/h top speed, the bigger only just beats this with 0-100km/h in 10.3. Hardly exhilarating.

  

• Cool

  As cool as wearing a visible thong if you're a man.

  

• Quality

  The Sebring actually feels pretty solidly built, but the design focus group were all colour-blind and senseless, so the interior is awash with grey plastic and a lack of texture. Elephant hides are more exciting than this. Engines should be reliable though.

  

• Handling

  The steering died in the ‘80s, the lurching bodyroll inspires 0.00001-percent confidence and understeer is an almost constant companion. Talking about a Chrysler from the 1950s? No, we're talking about the Sebring in 2008. Scandalously bad.

  

• Practicality

  The boot's big at 440 litres and there's plenty of space for four large humans (though good luck finding three people willing to get in with you). Oh, and you won't care if you run it into a brick wall - it might improve the looks.

  

• Running costs

  The 2.4 gets 6.9L/100km while the more thirsty 2.7 V6 averages 10.5L/100km, performance/power figures suggest the bigger option just isn't worth it. Residuals are one-legged; they fall straight over the minute you're out of the showroom.