2002 Chrysler Concorde Limited

Road manners are impeccable. The Concorde walks the fine line between tight body-motion control and a plush ride over a wide range of pavement conditions like a polished circus performer. Through 90-mph sweepers, it grabs and holds a confident line. When the bends tighten up, this large sedan dances like a subcompact on sticky tires. There's clear feedback through the steering wheel, excellent support from the front bucket seats, and an all-around willingness to do your bidding at whatever pace you choose. The Concorde doesn't look like a sport sedan but it surely acts like one when you lay a heavy foot on the gas. The only noticeable flaw is a brake pedal that occasionally feels mushy.

The Concorde Limited adopts the defunct LHS's upscale amenities. The Pro Am version aims for golf enthusiasts with two-tone leather buckets, embroidered floormats, and assorted golf gear.

Schizophrenia, a bummer in humans, can be a positive character trait in automobiles. In the Concorde's case, the sport sedan temperament turns limousine just aft of the front seats. Rear-seat legroom is NBA grade, and the trunk is larger than some budget motel rooms. There's a center portal through the backrest for toting ski poles to the slopes or PVC plumbing home from the hardware store. The only way to improve on the Concorde's utility and functionality would be to lower the trunk lift-over and to add the split-folding back seat that's standard equipment in Chrysler's 300M.


Loaded to the gunwales with a real-wood steering wheel, 11-speaker Infinity sound system, and a power sunroof, a Concorde Limited just barely cracks the $30,000 barrier. When you consider the fun-to-drive dynamic personality, the lavishly roomy interior, and the smashing good looks, that amounts to one of the best four-door sedan bargains going. Sometime soon, Chrysler engineers and designers will face the task of coming up with a worthwhile update on this classic. Topping what's been achieved in today's Concorde won't be easy. (www.chrysler.com)