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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  Love This Car! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Charla Hemme - March 13 - 9:10 pm

  Love this car. It is a real head- turner, too. We bought a black 300C this month and my husband and I both love to drive it...but its my car and I let him drive it sometime! All the guys at work love the way it looks like a muscle car but also looks like a luxury car. The black metalic is just beautiful. We also looked at a Silver one at the dealer that was gorgeous but decided on the black. A lady I work with wants one now....she drive a black Lexus and was thrilled to see all the bells and whistles that my car has but the Lexus does not (for a tremendous difference in price!). What a bargain this car is! No other luxury car can come close to the price for the options available.

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  Fantastic - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Chris - February 27 - 11:03 pm

  In over 25 years I have never purchased a new car until this one. One test drive and I simply couldnt wait a year for one to show up at CarMax. Pull up the specs on a 545, an XJR, a Caymen S...heck, check out a $170k DB9. The SRT takes them all on (with my 62" wife sitting comfortably in the backseat - try that in a BMW) and costs 50% less besides. Ive not figured out, and may never use, 1/3 of the features they packed into this thing but thats OK. Its the perfect car for those who need a practical daily commuter / family hauler but still recall wistfully the mustang/camero/whatever they had in high school. This car is so much fun, Im not sure why anyone would buy anything else.

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  love this car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By lorraine c - February 21 - 9:53 am

  this is the best looking car i have seen in a long time.who needs a hemi! this 3.5 is very quick.the signature offers only a limited number of options, i would have liked a few more.

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  Experience a 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Thom W. - February 18 - 9:13 am

  Power is the name of the game for a 300C, when you need to move there is no hesitation. The dash is a little to plain, but the instrument panel is easy to read. Love the options,and the GPS is easy to use.

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  No Soft touches here - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By smkw - February 14 - 5:20 am

  How sad it is that this car is flat and boring inside with supportive seating that feel hard and cinder box comfortable.The leather lacks that butter soft feel of a luxury sedan,but wait the right side of the front seat doesnt work the same way as the driver seat..... Whats up with that??? Try adjusting this seat, a surprise that clearly show this is a One persons show-off car, not a family car for the WHOLE FAMILY. Try riding in the back seat, SAD, SAD, SAD,....again two persons and cat?? The lack of space caused by center floor HUMP is showing how Backward this company is moving. The visor is too small, the center CD Tape console is too hard to use, and glove compartment area is very small.

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  Cant Believe The Price - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By big ed - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Waited 6 weeks to get the black beauty I wanted. After 2 weeks, noticed the pull to the right others mentioned, but dealer fixed it (toe-in problem). Its perfectly built, silent, powerful- the best car I have ever owned, domestic or foreign. Paid MSRP with all the goodies and everything works perfectly. Incredible quality at this price, but fake chrome takes some getting used to.

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  can u say HEMI - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By can u say HEMI - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Car runs very good. I would recomend other people to purchase.

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  Dusting off the cobwebs of youth - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By steve-abq - January 30 - 10:00 am

  While I feel I may be driving some "old mans yacht," the power of the vehicle, its design, and appeal to me is rewarding - I waited four months to get hold of one to purchase at a reasonable price. I have not experienced any of the problems of early builds so far so perhaps DC has really fixed those. The only regret I may have with this vehicle is if gasoline prices hit the stratosphere. Then, I will wonder why I did not opt for a hybrid vehicle. But for now, reason be damned! I enjoy this heavy two-ton behemoth with the "viagra" smile it gives someone my age.

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  Great Fun to Drive---a real winner - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By don canzoneri - January 30 - 10:00 am

  Great to see an american car that is this unique. Fun to drive, fast, and a real head turner. I have owned Jaguars, Mercedes, and spent about 1/2 of this car, and enjoy it every bit as much

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  My Black Beauty - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By R.Kuehn - January 27 - 11:26 am

  For the nost part I love the car. However, there are a few things that could stand improvement: The ride is a little stiff. Vision is rather poor due to the narrow windshield and gas mileage is terrible in city driving, which one should expect with the power plant in this beauty. My insurance tripled of course, but I dont give a damn. A great automobile.