Best Car Reviews - 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible

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Introduction

The 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible is a four-seat, front-wheel-drive open-top car aimed at buyers who want relaxed cruising, everyday convenience, and available V6 power without moving to a traditional muscle-car convertible. Classified as a Compact Car by EPA convention, it is physically a long, midsize-style convertible with either a standard power cloth roof or available retractable hardtop. Its 2013 suspension revisions and available 283-horsepower Flex Fuel V6 help distinguish it from the earlier Chrysler Sebring-based models.

Design and Exterior Features

At 194.8 inches long, the 200 Convertible has a substantial, low-slung profile rather than a small roadster shape. Chrysler gave the model a winged grille, projector headlamps with LED light-pipe accents, LED taillamps, and clean side surfacing. The 2013 update concentrated on chassis tuning rather than a major visual redesign, while adding new exterior colours. Buyers could choose a power cloth top or, on selected trims, a body-colour retractable steel hardtop.

Power cloth convertible top standard
Available retractable hardtop with remote top-down operation
LED taillamps and projector-style headlamps
17-inch or available 18-inch alloy wheels
S model with darker exterior accents and distinctive grille treatment

Interior and Comfort

The cabin is designed for four occupants, with a straightforward dashboard, soft-touch trim areas, and an emphasis on comfort over sporting minimalism. Front seats are roomy and available with power adjustment, heating, leather upholstery, and driver lumbar support. Rear-seat space is more useful than in many two-door convertibles, although adults will still find it best for shorter journeys. The trunk is practical with the roof raised but is constrained when the top is stowed.

Four-passenger seating layout
Available leather-trimmed seats and heated front seats
Six-way power driver and front-passenger seats on upper trims
Automatic climate control and available remote start
Available windscreen for calmer top-down driving

Performance and Handling

This specified version uses Chrysler’s 3.6-litre Pentastar Flex Fuel V6, producing 283 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It sends power to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control and runs on regular 87-octane gasoline. Independent testing recorded 0-60 mph in about 6.8 seconds for a V6 convertible, while another test of a Limited convertible measured 7.5 seconds; equipment, conditions, and test methods explain the difference. The revised 2013 suspension improves body control and steering compared with earlier versions, but the heavy front-drive chassis remains more comfortable than athletic. Official V6 EPA ratings are 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, equivalent to about 12.4 and 8.1 L/100 km; the supplied 13.5 L/100 km figure is considerably higher and should be treated as a separate real-world or database consumption figure rather than the official combined rating.

3.6-litre DOHC 24-valve Flex Fuel V6
283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque
Six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode
Front-wheel drive and regular-gasoline compatibility
2013 suspension changes improve ride control and reduce unwanted torque steer

Technology and Connectivity

Technology is period-correct rather than modern: the 200 Convertible offered CD, MP3, USB, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and hard-drive-based Uconnect multimedia systems. Higher trims could add navigation and a Boston Acoustics audio system. It does not offer the smartphone integration, digital displays, or advanced driver-assistance features expected in newer convertibles.

Available Uconnect voice command and Bluetooth calling
Bluetooth streaming audio on equipped models
Available Media Center 430 or 730N navigation multimedia systems
Available SiriusXM satellite radio
Available Boston Acoustics premium audio system

Safety Features

Standard equipment includes four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, brake assist, active front head restraints, front airbags, and front-seat-mounted side airbags with head protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2011-2014 convertible design Good ratings in its original moderate-overlap front test, original side test, and head-restraint evaluation. Those tests are useful historical indicators, but they are not equivalent to today’s more demanding crash-test programs.

Electronic Stability Control and all-speed traction control
Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist
Front-seat-mounted side airbags with head protection
Active front head restraints
Tire-pressure monitoring system

Pricing and Variants

Original U.S. pricing began around $27,525 for the Touring Convertible, with the Limited at about $32,520 and the S at about $33,020 before options and destination charges. Touring was the value-oriented entry point, while Limited and S models paired the V6 with richer trim and more equipment. The optional retractable hardtop added cost and complexity. Key alternatives at the time included the Ford Mustang Convertible, Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, Volkswagen Eos, and MINI Convertible; the Chrysler focused more on four-seat comfort and convenience than sharp handling.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Strong, smooth V6 performance with regular-fuel operation
Comfortable ride and improved 2013 suspension tuning
Useful four-seat layout for a convertible
Choice of cloth roof or retractable hardtop
Well-equipped Limited and S trims with available leather and Uconnect features

Cons

Heavy chassis limits agile cornering and braking performance
Front-wheel drive can still feel less refined under hard acceleration
Fuel consumption is high for a compact-class listing
Rear seat and trunk practicality suffer with the roof down
Older infotainment and no modern active-safety suite

Maintenance and Common Issues

No single authoritative, model-specific annual maintenance-cost figure is established for the 2013 200 Convertible, so buyers should obtain a pre-purchase inspection and budget extra for age-related convertible-roof repairs. Common owner-reported or service-documented concerns for this model family include power-top operation failures, roof rattles or clunks on retractable-hardtop versions, water leaks or weatherstrip wear around the roof, electrical or infotainment faults, and transmission shift-quality complaints. A documented service history, correct roof operation, dry interior, and smooth six-speed shifting are especially important checks.

Rating

Overall rating: 7.0/10. Design: 7.5/10 for its substantial convertible presence and hardtop choice. Comfort: 7.5/10 for the ride and front-seat accommodation. Performance: 7.0/10 with the capable V6 but substantial curb weight. Technology: 6.0/10 because its available Uconnect equipment is dated. Safety: 7.0/10 for solid historical crash-test results and standard stability control, tempered by the lack of newer crash-test coverage and driver-assistance technology.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly values the car as an affordable, comfortable cruiser rather than a precision sports convertible. Satisfaction tends to be strongest when the roof mechanism has been maintained and when buyers choose the V6-equipped Limited or S model.

Owners often praise the V6’s easy passing power
Many appreciate the comfortable front seats and relaxed ride
Top-down usability and four-seat capacity are frequent positives
Some report concern about roof mechanisms, seals, and related repair costs
Handling, braking feel, and fuel use draw more mixed feedback

Best Cars in This Category

2013 Ford Mustang Convertible
2013 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
2013 Volkswagen Eos
2013 MINI Cooper Convertible
2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Summary

The 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible is best for buyers seeking a comfortable, value-oriented four-seat convertible with available V6 power and the appeal of a cloth or retractable hardtop. It is not the best choice for sharp handling, low running costs, or current technology, but a well-maintained example can be an appealing open-air cruiser. Prioritize a complete maintenance record and a thorough inspection of the roof, seals, electronics, and transmission before purchase.