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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  Great fun, but some cheapies - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By drrad - May 4 - 10:00 am

  ONLY HAD THE HEMI FOR ONE WEEK AND LOVE THE CAR. THE AUTO-MANUAL SHIFT IS A REAL TREAT. A SLEEPER OFF THE LINE OR PASSING. NOT TRASHING THE CAR, BUT WHAT DUMMY WOULD PUT PALE WHITE FLOOR MATS ON THIS OR ANY CAR? THE FIRST DAY THEY WERE SOILED. I THEN ORDERED DARK MATS THAT MATCHED THE INTERIOR TRIM. THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE TAKEN BACK THE OLD/NEW MATS AND TRADED THE NEW/NEW ONES OUT AND NOT NICKEL/DIMED ME FOR THE $65.00. HUGE GRIPE: THE "CHROME-CLAD" ALUMINUM WHEELS. SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE ALUMINUM WHEELS THAT ARE CHROMED. NOT SO. THESE LOOK GREAT BUT ARE LITERALLY CHROME COLORED PLASTIC COVERINGS OVER ALUMINUM WHEELS--CHEAP!

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  DaimlerChrysler Has A Definate Winner! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Junechld - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I am loving my new 300C. It feels as though almost everything is automatic. And yes,the MDS does work effortlessly to improved gas mileage on the highways. Since Ive purchased my C,I get kidded a lot by co-workers asking me if I want to race. Whereas car racing isnt of any interest to me, however, I do enjoy knowing that I have that extra power to maneuver around someone and also knowing that I could beat those co-workers easily,that kid me about the racing thing on any given day.

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  Love this car! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Mike - April 30 - 4:23 am

  Shopped dealer lots and online through four states. Looked at DeVille, Lucerne, LS-430, and the Avalon. The 300 was the better buy all around. Fantastic deal -- after the rebate, it was $2K less than TMV. Love the ride, the power. Wife likes the safety aspects and the memory functions. I LOVE the HEMI! Mileage isnt great, but knew that going in. The dealer took the Contis off and put on Goodyear Assurance. Handles great and its quiet. Didnt take a big hit on the insurance, either. Time will tell about the reliability. Hope to keep it ten years. Will repost after a few months.

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  GREAT CAR - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By CHIEF - April 28 - 10:00 am

  ONE OF THE FASTEST CARS I HAVE DRIVEN IN OVER 15 YEARS. REMINDS ME OF THE OLD DAYS. TOOK 7 WEEKS TO GET IT, BUT I HAVE NO COMPLIANTS.

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  Great power...Great looks - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Dave - April 27 - 1:50 pm

  I bought the car because of the great look and the potential for a powerful ride. I was not disappointed. It moves quickly and accelerates even when driving at high speeds. And yes, it makes the sound of a high performance vehicle. The sound system is great as well.

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  Finally a fun American Sedan - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rrtoadhall - April 21 - 2:00 am

  For several years I have been driving large British sedans because American car makers had the same boring offerings. It has taken Chrysler to reinvent the American Sedan and bring the public something other than cookie cutter badge engineering. I would highly recomend a test drive for any consumer looking for comfort, room and ergonomics!

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  It doesnt get any better - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dwaindc - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 1999 Caddy STS and can say the 300C is more powerful, more exciting and has just as many "bells and whistles" at $20,000 less. Im 61" and dont have to slide the front seat all the way back for legroom. It has more legroom for rear seat passengers. My only concern is long term reliability, otherwise it is the best car I have ever purchased. Bottom line, this car excites me.

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  my 300 hemi c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Mary - April 10 - 3:10 am

  I have owned two Cadillac Devilles this 300 C far out shines them in style and performance. I feel safe in the 300. This is the first vehicle that has given me that feeling since driving the cadillac. This vehicle has class written all over it. It is real competition for the others now.

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  Baby Bentley-Chrysler 300...WOW! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jane Doe - April 7 - 11:30 am

  Beautiful car at a great price....this "Baby Bentley" car looks like it costs $60,000 but I only paid $24,000. I have gotten so many compliments and head turns that it is not even funny...on my "cool vanilla" 300.

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  My Cool Vanilla 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Edyth - April 5 - 5:40 pm

  I love this car more than my ex husband ( when I loved him that is). It is beautiful and sexy and everyone stares at it. It is comfortable and I love everything about it- I have it loaded. The one thing I miss and it does not have are headlight washers and smart head lights. I love to step on the gas and leave everyone in the dust. My license plate is on its way. It will be "Cagney" because "Capone" was taken as was Soprano. was taken!!!!!!