2012 Chrysler 300 vs. Its Competition

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

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Mar 13, 2012

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.

2012 Chrysler 300 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Buick Lacrosse Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Dodge Charger Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Ford Taurus Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Hyundai Genesis Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Nissan Maxima Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8.4 Riper and more mature, the latest Chrysler 300 has classically handsome looks and in the right versions, big rear-drive fun.	8.2 As a sophisticated, roomy, tech-savvy premium sedan—now with up to 36 mpg—the 2012 Buick LaCrosse hits the mark for a lot of shoppers who want luxury on a limited budget.	8 Cue the Springsteen: Blue-collar virtues get the hero treatment in the 2012 Dodge Charger.	8 The 2012 Ford Taurus is handsome, safe, and well-equipped, but it's not as big inside as its big-car exterior suggests.	8 The Genesis' impressive details and execution make it a pragmatic luxury-car choice, especially in the quick, plush V-6 version.	7.8 The 2012 Nissan Maxima is a great pick if you want a stylish, sporty, comfortable, and lavishly trimmed sedan; serious sport-sedan enthusiasts should look elsewhere, however.
MSRP From
$27,670	$30,170	$25,595	$25,555	$34,200	$32,420
Gas Mileage
14 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy	16 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy	14 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy	17 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy	16 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy	19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas V6	Gas/Electric I4	Gas V6	Gas V6	Gas V6	Gas V6
EPA Class
Large Cars	Midsize Cars	Large Car	Large Cars	Large car	Mid-Size
Style Name
4dr Sedan V6 RWD	4dr Sedan Base FWD	4dr Sedan SE RWD	4dr Sedan SE FWD	4dr Sedan V6 3.8L	4dr Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 S
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
4-Door Sedan	Sedan	Sedan	Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan
Transmission
Automatic w/manual shift	Automatic w/manual shift	Automatic	Automatic w/manual shift	Automatic w/manual shift	Continuously Variable