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Chrysler 300

 

The Chrysler 300 is a full-size four-door sedan that, depending on powertrain and equipment, can be an alternative to a wide range of large sedans, including the Ford Taurus or Buick Lucerne, or performance-luxury sedans such as the BMW 5-Series or Cadillac STS. Hemi V-8-powered 300C, as well as sporty 300S models are also part of the lineup. The 300 is closely related to the Dodge Charger sedan... Read More Below »

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Chrysler 300
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Chrysler 300 History


Shopping for a 2012 Chrysler 300? MSRP: $27,470 - $47,470

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The Chrysler 300 is a full-size four-door sedan that, depending on powertrain and equipment, can be an alternative to a wide range of large sedans, including the Ford Taurus or Buick Lucerne, or performance-luxury sedans such as the BMW 5-Series or Cadillac STS. Hemi V-8-powered 300C, as well as sporty 300S models are also part of the lineup.

The 300 is closely related to the Dodge Charger sedan and Dodge Magnum wagon, as well as the Dodge Challenger coupe, but (for the U.S.) Chrysler has only offered its version as a sedan.

Originally introduced as a 2005 model, replacing the front-wheel-drive Chrysler LHS and 300M, the Chrysler 300 marked the comeback of rear-wheel-drive cars to Chrysler's lineup. The automaker took advantage of its ownership at the time, borrowing some components from an older version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Appearance-wide, the 300 and 300C (the more luxurious version) were a breath of fresh air to the Chrysler lineup, with a taller, boxier look overall and a high beltline that gave these models a macho yet classy look. It was a complete about-face compared to the "cab forward" designs that Chrysler had followed through the 1990s and up until then.

Over the years since then, the Chrysler 300 lineup has changed little. Fleet-oriented base models include a 190-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 that's just barely adequate for the 300; a much better choice is the 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, which can move the 300 with more enthusiasm while not getting any worse real-world mileage. 300C Hemi versions include the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, making 340 horsepower. Both of the V-6 models come with a four-speed automatic, while the V-8s get a five-speed automatic. V-6 and V-8 models were both offered with an available all-wheel drive system.

There's also the performance-oriented SRT-8 (SRT8 in some years), which gets a 425-horsepower, 6.1-liter version of the Hemi V-8 along with upgraded brakes and suspension. Overall, the SRT8—or the 300C—provides the performance of a muscle car, with a gruff, forceful responsiveness to the powertrain and reasonably good handling. You won't find a lot of finesse in the steering, though.

Chrysler sold the 300 and 300C as a premium large car, which is where they have run into trouble. A common criticism is that while the 300 is full-size, its backseat space is more cramped than that of many mid-size sedans. The 300's interior materials have been better than those used elsewhere in the Chrysler lineup, but they haven't quite been up to the standards expected of a model that could sell for well over $40k either. Additionally, the Chrysler 300 has been plagued with recall and assembly-quality issues over the years and it comes up a bit short in terms of safety features and crash-test results in a class of top-rated vehicles.

But with the introduction of a substantially redesigned version of the Chrysler 300 in 2011, most of those issues were remedied. While the 300C's rip-roaring V-8 was carried over, the revised 300 gained a new look inside and out, plus Chrysler's excellent 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, making 283 horsepower, a much-upgraded interior—in both materials and refinement—and features like a standard USB port, a navigation system with Sirius Travel Link services, and a uConnect Web WiFi hotspot option. For 2012, Chrysler introduced a new eight-speed automatic transmission with the V-6 that further improved performance and boosted highway fuel economy to 31 mpg. The high-performance 300 SRT8 offers up the latest, 6.4-liter high-output version of the Hemi, making 470 hp, plus an adaptive suspension and many other extras.

 

2010 Chrysler 300C SRT8

2010 Chrysler 300C SRT8

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Why should I also consider these? X

There are few near-luxury, rear-drive sedans that compete with the Chrysler 300.

One of them is Chrysler's own Dodge Charger, which has much more muscular styling and lower price points, but much of the same running gear and available features.

The Hyundai Genesis is also rear-wheel drive; it doesn't offer an all-wheel-drive option, and in general its handling is tuned more softly than the Chryslers, and its styling is more generic.

Ford's Taurus is a bulky cruiser with optional AWD and a turbo SHO edition, but rear-seat room is compromised by the thick styling and the interior is less glamorous than the Chrysler's.

The Buick LaCrosse is a big, sleek four-door with a new eAssist mild-hybrid edition that gets up to 32 mpg on the highway.

Lastly, the Nissan Maxima has interesting looks, but its drivetrain is less engaging and its infotainment and safety features lag the rest of the class.

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