While Chrysler’s competitive vehicles have changed with the times, the Chrysler 300 has retained its classic styling since its debut in 2005.
It is a distinctly American vehicle that has roots from Germany, if you can believe that. The 300 has a confident, boxy look that demands respect in a way that modern cars do not these days.
The Chrysler 300 was showcased in many hip-hop music videos in the mid 2000s. It was even owned by Barack Obama and British buyers often referred to it as the Poor Man’s Bentley due to its resemblance to the luxury brand. This gave the car a fair amount of brand visibility. Reflecting on the success of the vehicle back in 2008, designer Ralph Gilles once remarked that the “300 turned out to be a bit of an icon for Chrysler.”
The 300’s chassis and suspension pieces actually came from both the Mercedes-Benz E-Class that debuted in 2003 and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class that was introduced in 1999. The resemblance ends there, however, because the 300 doesn’t actually feel like a German car in any form or shape.
Design
What do you say to a car that hasn’t changed in 12 years? Dare I say that it has a “vintage” look? Perhaps it’s not vintage by any stretch of mind, but the car has aged surprisingly well and it has garnered respect as the “classic” Chrysler with modern touches.
The interior, though, really needs to be updated. While the controls and display system works reasonably well, the car feels old and tired inside. Otherwise seats are comfortable in a general North American way – lots of soft cushions to dampen those pothole rides.
The base infotainment system included with the 300 is the Uconnect 8.4 system. Keeping up with the times, the 300 does offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio and phone capability, satellite radio, USB connectivity, rearview cameras and touchscreen controls.
The trunk is roomy for all of your goods, but the back seats do not provide as much space as you think in the way of leg room due to the older design of this car.
Performance
With a choice of a 3.6-liter V-6 (292 horsepower) or V-8 engine (363 h.p.), the 300 has power and grace. It drives like it’s floating on a cloud – something that is difficult to do for a car that tips the scales at more than 4,000 pounds. The soft roll and quiet cabin is in stark contrast to the rap-star look of the wide shoulders and sturdy appearance. While the powertrain is quite enjoyable even under hard acceleration, the handling is numb and too light to feel anything under the car.
The Chrysler 300 also comes in a sportier 300S model that provides more than 300 horsepower and 264 foot-pounds of torque. This provides a slight improvement to the living-room feel of the car but buyers should be aware that the 300 is really meant to provide maximum comfort and smoothness over anything else.
Summary
The base price for the Chrysler 300 is $40,795. This vehicle has a variety of option packages available which will give each 300 a unique look and feel. Base level provides plenty of features, however other packages can provide two-tone leather upholstery, wood and metallic trim to spice up the interior.
Comparable vehicles are the likes of the Nissan Maxima, Toyota Avalon, and Chevrolet Impala, all of which provide better fuel economy and more horsepower, as these cars have been updated. In particular, the Avalon stands out with incredible quality and surprisingly agile handling.
There is a rumor that the 300 may be discontinued shortly. As one of the last traditional “American” full size sedans, this year may be your last chance to own a bit of history.
editor@automotivepress.com
