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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  The hidden value of the 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Daryl - January 18 - 1:53 pm

  I did a lot of vehicle comparisons before purchasing my 300C AWD. This car offers more bang for the buck than any other full sized sedan. Ive always been a GM fan but this car is far and away the the best and most fun Ive ever driven. It get a lot more attention on the road as well. Great proformance and styling coupled with and handling package that is truly awsome I love this car!

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  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Ralph T - January 18 - 12:42 pm

  An interesting car for even us old retired folks. The hemi engine performs great. The Mopar remote start does not work in cold weather and has been in for repairs 4 times. It is a great highway car and highway gas mileage averages 25.5 mpg. For a large V-8 Hemi this is very good. On winter roads, winter tires are a must have. People give compliments on this cars looks and the "Cool Vanilla" color. Width of the trunk is a little tight for 2 sets of golf clubs though.

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  worth the wait. - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By barcellos - January 10 - 10:00 am

  solid on the road, quiet on the inside easy to manuever. agile and easy to put it on the road where it is safer.

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  Best American car since the 1950s - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Chrome57 - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I just traded in a 2000 Saturn L-series for the 300C. Looking back at the old window sticker of the Saturn, I realized I paid only 7K less than I did on the 300C--that number would decrease with inflation. A small difference in money can really buy you a car thats light years ahead of anything else on the market. This car offers so much style, performance, and value that I couldnt even consider another car.

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  Love my 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rprince - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Love the car, but after a week+, some warts showed up. Like flimsey rear fender liners and lower rear fenders. All plastic and they are, shall we say, flexible. I took the front license bracket off and the front bumper is all plastic also. Wonder if it could survive a .5 mph crash? Power, styling, and build quality seem very good otherwise. Interior is very quiet. Mines loaded, and I love the nav system. Bought a new bluetooth phone and the UConnect system works great! Buy one before theyre all gone!

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  Awesome ride - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By 300C4Me - January 8 - 8:16 pm

  I love the styling, performance and best of all its priced right. Waited many years for an American car that "I had to buy". This one was worth the wait.

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  Love this car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Karen - January 7 - 1:13 pm

  I would buy this car again! The ride is smooth as can be and the power is wonderful. Its fun to drive and the looks - well, every knows what they look like and it still turns heads. The room inside is unbelievable. My Great Dane even fits comfortably! My husband at 62" is comfortable in the drivers seat, passengers seat, and he even has plenty of leg room in the back. The ONLY down side is the windshield seems a little narrow and it took a little getting used to when pulling up to stop lights. It is necessary to stop back a little further than normal in order to be able to see the light, otherwise you do have to duck down to see through the windshield. I love this car.

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  American Style and Quality Return - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Hermes1 - January 5 - 10:00 am

  As a loyal Mercedes owner, I had been fighting the urge to be interested in the Chrysler 300 ever since I first saw the concept car. Seeing the 300 on the road this year, I found myself to be continually intrigued by it. However, once I sat behind the wheel and drove the car this summer, I was absolutely smitten!! This car has lit a passion for American cars unlike ever before. The sense of quality, style and value the 300 carries is incomparable to any recent car since the early 60s! In fact, if you look closely, youll see styling cues reminiscent of the infamous 1961 Lincoln Continental, whose "slab sides" revolutionized the car industry.

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  luxury and power - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Alexandra Wolf - January 5 - 10:00 am

  everyones comment feels like im driving a $250,000 car. value, power, style its all in the 300c. so comfortable it feels as though the car is chaufering me. and when i am on the freeway and those darn trucks drive in convoy i only have to hit the gas and she serenely overtakes them all without even a whisper. the car and i have found each other, two sophisticated ladies who like to be admired. nothing on the road today comes near this car its a keeper.

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  SRT8 is great! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Rick - January 4 - 6:30 am

  My daughter named my car "Flash" after riding in it one time. The car is fast with supurb handling. I havent owned a car that gives me pleasure to drive since my 71 Mach I. Its a keeper! (Well until I can get my hands on a 08 Challenger)