Summary
The 2023 model year is the last for the obsolete Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. This latest version, introduced in its current form in 2011, is entering its golden years but still sprightly. The familiar shape still gives off a bad impression and the interior is quite roomy. While it’s not as fuel efficient or as well equipped as its competitors, it’s still a reasonable choice for those in the market for a full-size sedan—a segment that’s getting smaller every year. The tried and true Pentastar V6 remains the standard engine, and models equipped with it can be configured with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive while the two available V-8 engines can only be had with rear-drive. But there’s one final piece of good news for the geriatric Chrysler sedan on its final tour: it gets a shot of adrenaline in the form of the powerful 300C performance model.
What’s New in 2023?
For the last model year, the big four-door Chrysler saw the reintroduction of the 300C, which featured the same muscular 6.4-liter V-8 that has long been available on Dodge Challengers and Chargers. It’s rated at 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of rev. Chrysler says the larger powerplant will allow its most muscular 300 to sprint to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. We’ll know if that’s a solid claim when we get it down our test path. Other upgrades on the 300C include an enhanced interior with carbon fiber accents, Brembo brakes and adaptive suspension – similar to the hardware found on the Dodge Charger and Challenger Scat Pack models – and a new tri-color badge exclusive to the 300C. Otherwise, the Chrysler 300 will remain largely unchanged.
Price and Where to Buy
We would recommend the mid-range Touring L model, which combines many features of luxury and comfort at a reasonable price. It comes with the standard 3.6-liter V-6 and can be had with rear or all-wheel drive. We also opted for the Comfort Group package mentioned above because we think a large sedan should provide a certain level of luxury. If you want a V-8, you’ll have to upgrade to the more expensive 300S, which adds a tighter suspension. Buyers should also pay attention to the V-8’s thirst for fuel. We haven’t tasted the top-of-the-range 300C, which is $21,000 more than the base touring model, so we can’t say whether we’ll splurge or not—but given our penchant for performance, we suspect we’ll find it appealing.
Engine, Transmission and Performance
In the large car segment, the Chrysler 300 is unusual for its rear-wheel drive layout and available Hemi V-8 engine. All-wheel drive is optional but only with the standard 292-hp 3.6-liter V-6 engine. In our tests, the rear-wheel-drive V-6-powered 300S rolled to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds; it’s slow for this class but still pretty spry. V-8 powered rear driver netted fast result 5.3 seconds in the same way it was tested in 2015. The 300 isn’t a poor handling car for its size. The helmet isn’t the most talkative, but the body roll is well controlled, and the chassis is playable—provided you’re not too aggressive. The stiffer suspension and 20-inch alloy wheels on the 300S make this particular model a bit rough to ride, which doesn’t seem up to the near-luxury 300s mission. If you’re looking for something comfortable, stick with Touring or Touring L.
Real World Fuel Economy and MPG
Fuel economy ratings for the 2023 Chrysler 300 are not yet available, and we haven’t evaluated the real-world mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. In previous tests, we found that the 300 was slightly less than its competitors in terms of fuel economy. Other competitors—such as Nissan Maxima and the Volkswagen Arteon—more efficient. Beyond that, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and the newly available 6.4-liter are much more fuel-hungry. For more information on the 300 fuel economy, visit EPA website.
Interior, Comfort and Cargo
The entry-level 300 offering is Touring. It comes with a cloth seat and some amenities. The more luxurious Touring L and 300S models have more features, including heat-adjustable front seats and adjustable waist support, two-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, and illuminated front and rear cupholders. . Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel and power adjustable steering wheel are optional on all models except the base model. The new 300C model offers further refinement thanks to Black Laguna leather upholstery, standard 19-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system and interior carbon fiber accents.
Chrysler uses a soft-touch rubberized plastic with a leather-grain pattern to cover the dashboard and top door panels of every 300. The texture feels good but looks artificial. The interior design is old, and not elegant. The 300, like almost all cars in this segment, manages to fit six carry cases in the trunk. With the back seat folded, it swallowed another 10. The seats can be split in a 60/40 arrangement, but don’t fold completely.
Infotainment and Connectivity
We appreciate Chrysler’s Uconnect infotainment system for its ease of use, intuitive menu layout, and snappy performance. The standard 300’s 8.4-inch touchscreen will also feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces. SiriusXM satellite radio is also offered on a one-year trial period, and dashboard navigation is optional.
Safety Features and Driver Assistance
The Chrysler driver assistance kit, bundled in the SafetyTec Plus package, is available for all but the base model. For more information on the 300 crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website. Key security features include:
- Automatic emergency braking available
- Available adaptive cruise control
- Lane guard assistance available
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Chrysler’s warranty coverage for the 300 is nothing special. Several competitors offer similar packages, but the standout winner here is the Kia Cadenza, with up to 10 years or 100,000 miles of coverage.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- No free scheduled maintenance
specification
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