Overview & Reviews

Like Cher, the Chrysler 300 just keeps making comebacks. A proud and prestigious vehicle during the 1950s, the 300 fell into anonymity during the '60s and then disappeared from the automotive landscape for more than 30 years. For the mid-2000s, though, Chrysler introduced its new 300, and it represented a bold new direction for the brand.

The 300 was an immediate hit thanks to its retro-inspired styling, powerful V8 engines, rear-wheel drive and refined road manners. Consumer interest did start to wane after a few years, but Chrysler is going for another comeback this year with a redesigned 300 that features a more powerful base V6 and a higher-quality interior. Overall, we like the 300 and find it to be a solid pick for a new or used large sedan.

Current Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is a large five-passenger sedan with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. It's been designed to appeal to consumers desiring something with a bit more personality than a regular family sedan or as an alternative to popular Japanese or European entry-luxury sedans. Some of the 300's underlying mechanicals are derived from Mercedes-Benz technology, and it's a platform sibling to Dodge's Challenger and Charger.

The 300's styling is unmistakably American, though with an added dash of refinement after its 2011 redesign. The large chrome grille, bejeweled headlights, high beltline, bulging fenders and big wheels give it a strong presence on the road. A long 120-inch wheelbase shortens up the front and rear overhangs and opens up plenty of occupant space on the inside. Cabin dimensions are generous in all directions, and the 300 offers more legroom than most of its competitors.

Its overall interior design has been described as simple but elegant. More importantly, that interior is now decked out in high-class materials that are pleasing to behold and touch. Even in its least expensive form, the 300 feels like a luxury car.

There are six trim levels: base, Limited, 300S V6, 300C, 300 S V8 and SRT8. The first three come with a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 292 horsepower. The base model comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission. An eight-speed automatic that's standard on all other V6 models is optional. The 300C and 300S V8 get a 5.7-liter "Hemi" V8 that produces 363 hp. The SRT8 has a 6.3-liter, 470-hp V8. Rear-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic are standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on all but the base and SRT8.

Standard equipment includes niceties like automatic headlights, keyless ignition/entry, automatic dual-zone climate control, a power driver seat and a small touchscreen interface. Moving up to the Limited or 300C nets you (among other things) a rearview camera, heated front seats, Bluetooth and an upgraded sound system. The S gets unique styling elements, an upgraded electronics interface and a special Beats by Dr. Dre sound system. Many additional features are available to make the 300 just as luxurious and well-equipped as luxury sedans that cost thousands more. This is especially true of the SRT8, which comes standard with just about everything.

On the move, the new 300 glides down the road in a way reminiscent of a big Mercedes-Benz sedan. Its suspension dampens even heavily rutted pavement with sophistication, yet it does so without being overly soft or floaty. Handling and steering are also impressive, and although the V8 engines may be the biggest draw, the V6 is quite strong. The only significant downside to the car is compromised rear visibility.

Used Chrysler 300 Models
The current Chrysler 300 dates back to 2011. Though it may look like the car it replaces and has the same general underlying architecture, the second-generation 300 differs significantly. Besides the interior overhaul, the structure has been stiffened, the steering is now electrically assisted and the suspension has been recalibrated for better ride quality and more composed handling. Chrysler also added an abundance of sound-deadening materials to create one of the quietest cabins on the road.

In its first year, only the base, Limited and 300C trims were available, and a five-speed automatic was standard across the board. The S and SRT8 trims arrived a year later along with the V6's eight-speed auto.

The previous-generation Chrysler 300 was produced from 2005-'10. It had the same general shape and design theme as the current car, and even shared the same platform, but there are countless differences used car buyers should be aware of. In general, the interior wasn't nearly as well-crafted, the driving experience wasn't as refined and the two V6 engine choices were unimpressive.

The base car (known either as LX or Touring depending on the year) came with a 2.7-liter V6 that produced only 178 hp. This was insufficient for such a large car, and its fuel economy was poor. Stepping up to a higher trim level got you a 3.5-liter V6 with a more impressive 250 hp, though acceleration was still pretty mediocre. To make matters worse, both came with a four-speed automatic.

As such, we recommend finding a used Chrysler 300C, which packs a 5.7-liter V8 and five-speed automatic. It originally produced 340 hp, but this was upgraded for '09 to 359 horses. That year also saw the introduction of a more sophisticated optional all-wheel-drive system (available on both 300C and certain V6 models) that allowed the driver to "depower" the front drive wheels for better handling and fuel economy.

Next up on the 300 ladder was the high-performance SRT8. Its 6.1-liter V8 pumped out 425 horses, but it also got a stiffer suspension setup, more powerful brakes and a larger wheel-and-tire package. Throughout this generation, there were also special trims, including the long-wheelbase Walter P. Chrysler Executive/Signature Series (2007-'10) and the 300S (2010 only), which was essentially the 300C with additional sport and luxury features.

Changes other than the ones mentioned above were mild for the first-generation 300C. The most significant occurred for '08, when Chrysler updated the interior and navigation and entertainment systems. Front-seat side airbags also joined side curtain airbags on the option list that year, so make sure to check if a used 300 is equipped as such.

In Edmunds.com reviews of the previous-generation Chrysler 300, the car fared quite well. Our editors commented favorably on its masculine good looks, powerful V8 engines and value for the dollar. Negatives concerned the meager output and poor fuel economy of the V6 engines, some low-rent interior plastics and the car's poor outward visibility.

Going further back, the Chrysler 300 has a long but patchy history. It came into being in the mid-1950s as a way to showcase Chrysler's new "Hemi" V8 engine. The first 300 was introduced for 1955 and was based on the New Yorker two-door hardtop. Its 5.4-liter V8 developed 300 hp. After that, Chrysler began affixing sequential letters at the end of "300" for each year as well as offering different body styles, including a convertible. The 1957 300-C is typically considered the most beautiful and desirable of these early cars. The Hemi engines were discontinued in the 300 after 1958, but Chrysler continued to use the letter designations up until the '65 300-L. After that it was the plain 300. In total, there were seven generations of this car before it was dropped after the 1971 model year.

The 300 name was briefly resurrected in 1979 for a special version of the rather awful Cordoba. It would then take another 20 years before Chrysler decided to roll out the 300 moniker again. This was the 1999 300M. Unlike previous 300s, this was a front-drive sedan only. Based on the second generation of Chrysler's "cab forward" LH platform, the 300M used a 3.5-liter V6, making 253 hp (that's net horsepower, a far more conservative standard than the "gross" rating used prior to 1972) and mounted longitudinally in the engine bay. It was built through the 2004 model year.

User Reviews:

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  chrysler 300c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By nadel - August 7 - 10:00 am

  picked up my 300c on 5/22/04. only got 200 miles so far. love it!!!!! this baby will move. paid sticker of $38,600, loaded. now i need to defeat the top speed governor.

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  Love the car!! But has issues - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Jason - August 5 - 2:41 pm

  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BUYING A HEMI 300 READ THIS FULL REVIEW FOR THE TRUTH!! I read online about these cars before I bought mine, I found countless reviews about the 5.7 hemi completely failing at 100k miles, I thought I could avoid this if I was careful, so I went ahead and bought one, and the engine completely failed and needed a full rebuild at 145k, my machanic did it for 6k cash, I have had no trouble with the engine since other than the check engine light poping on and off all the time randomly for no reason (which is common with all 300s) the biggest problem with this car is the front end, all 300s have this problem, and there is no way around it. The entire front end is the most unreliable setup on earth, you can put 1500 into brand new bushings and control arms and a few weeks later it will start makeing noise again, I have owned mine for 5 months or so and my car is currently in the shop for front end repair for the 4th time! No matter what u replace, its only going to fix the noise for a month or so, then you will hear a new noise, every single 300 owner Ive talked to has had the same problem, one of my friends even had it happen a month after he bought his car brand new, its simply part of the life of a 300 owner. The rear suspension is bad too, but not nearly as mutch as the front. I have never had this happen, but a few of my friends have had electrical problems with theirs causing the car to burn out its own battery, or even turn itself off in the middle of the road. I am yet to experience this with mine. The transmission in my 300c AWD has been pretty good to me, have only had one problem with it, I would be driving and pull up to a light and when I try to start again the transmission would rev up to high rpms and I would only crawl forward at about 3 mph, so I had to restart the car in the middle of the intersection and it fixed its self, but then happen again 5 min later, and again and again, I brought it in and it ended up being a 10 dollar sensor, that was in the tranny instead of on top where it usually is on a car, so I had to send it in to a rebuild place which charged $850 for the job, no problems since, the tranny is different for the AWD cars, mine is still running strong at 148k miles, I hear the rwd tranny fails at about 100k miles. The Chrysler 300c hemi AWD ( and rwd) is a mess when it comes to rely ability and maintenance, but when it is running right it is the absolute nicest car I have driven or rode in, I get complements on the car every were I go, it looks fantastic, it sounds mean, it rides amazing, it shifts smooth, and you have endless power under your foot, its like driving a Mercedes with a bad ass American v8, Its mustang gt/camaro z28 speed in a car that is full sized,comfortable and weighs an extra 1000 lbs, plus with the AWD its good in the snow, and actually handles really well, the suspension is firm for a normal car but it feels plush and expensive, the interior is very nice, actually really good quality materials, feels and looks very nice, this car is extremely unique, and there is nothing else on the market like it, I went with my heart and bought one ignoring all the bad reviews, and even though the maintenance is insane, it guzzles gas and has endless problems, Im still glad I did. If u decide to buy one, u can get extra life out of your hemi by changing the oil every 3000 miles, using high octane fuel like 93 (I was using 87 when my engine failed) and investing in an oil catch can, to prevent oil build up inside the engine, which is commonly what cases the HEMIs to eventually fail.

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  300-C AWD - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By I B - August 5 - 10:36 am

  The car is terrific. Great handling, comfort and exterior styling. The fuel economy is not good. Chrysler offered no help when I contacted them. The interior should be more exciting for a $40,000 car. Acceleration is fantastic, too bad it drinks so much gas when you put the petal to the metal. The AWD car should have standard 20" wheels, that would make the car look much better. The toys (GPS, Sirius radio, back up warning, up windows automatic, wipers that do not need to turned on etc, etc) are great fun and makes the car more enjoyable. Im anxiously awaiting when DCX decides to put a diesel engine in this car. Until then I keep this one.

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  Fabulous Car - 2010 Chrysler 300
  By Michael - August 3 - 2:08 am

  I bought my 2010 300 Touring eight months ago (Feb. 2016). At that time it had 70K miles. Ive added another 10K, and so far the car has performed beautifully. Other than oil changes the only expense has been to buy a spare key ($315) and new tires ($700). Ive taken a couple of short distance (150 miles or so) trips and the car rides like a dream. City mpg runs about 17.5-18.0; highway about 24 mpg. I feel very secure driving the car. I would recommend the Chrysler 300. Ive now owned the car for over a year and can still highly recommend the 300. Its very reliable and comfortable to drive. Only normal service work, i.e. oil changes, has been needed.

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  #3 still thrilled - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By bobcat - July 31 - 6:36 am

  purchased my third 300c heritage. i didnt think this car could get any better but i fell in love all over again the ride has improved.people still continue to stare this car has a very impressive statement on the road. why would you buy anything else is beyond me.

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  Silver bullet - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By brandy16 - July 31 - 3:33 am

  Best car I have ever owened. The 5.7 hemi is very reliable and powerful. It is a joy to drive. The car looks awsome and I get many compliments on it. With the ESC on you can take corners like they were not even there. The brakes are awesome and the traction control keeps you glued to the road. Thia is a very fast and very safe car. The only other car I would consider buying would be the SRT8 6.1 425 HP

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  Never had a car this nice and lovin it! - 2017 Chrysler 300
  By JTM - July 30 - 11:28 am

  I bought this my 300 last week and love it! Comfortable ride and so far am getting 23.5 mph average town and road. How great is that? :-) Rides like a dream and is easy to drive. Looks great to boot! I HIGHLY recommend this car! I bought the Velvet Cherry with the linen colored leather seats. Am sooo happy!

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  overall economy - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jerry - July 25 - 3:10 pm

  when I purchased this vehicle I thought I had purchased the perfect car. It regularly got 23 mpg. but now the best I can squeeze out of it is a mere 18.5 mpg. I am told that this is normal for a car to get worse mileage (BULL) after it is broken in and there is no way to tell if it is running on 8 cylinders or on 4 cylinders.

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  300C follow up - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By MikeHTally - July 19 - 12:13 am

  Love it even more now! Trip to New Orleans and back without a worry. Better mileage than expected (21 mpg at 80+). Arrived ready to go farther. This car is awesome -- still point and shoot! Absolutely no regrets. Cruises all day at limit plus, and easily gives more when needed. Great cornering. A thrill and pleasure to push through corners. Turn signal and cruise controls still fall right to hand -- no guessing/fumbling. This car turns heads! Smiles and "thumbs up" often. Still unique enough. Dont see one on every corner, although more lately. Quiet and powerful -- does it get any better? This is the wifes car, now I want a Charger SRT-8!

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  Why I Like my 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Theodore Madzy - July 15 - 10:16 pm

  I just came home from a two month 600 mile trip that was a pleasure. The days that we traveled were 600 mile days and never did I experience any discomfort. The fuel economy was much better than I expected, 28 mpg. Everything worked as expected and the ride was great. Everyone I met thought it was a sharp looking auto. I would recommented this vehicle to anyone.