Although the rear-drive Chrysler 300 sedan debuted in 2004, its real character matured in the 2007’s Walter P. Chrysler Executive Series with a limousine-sized rear passenger compartment custom built for the car. The 300, Chrysler’s largest car, comes in a widely varied lineup that ranges from tame to tempestuous.
The Chrysler 300 is available with four different engines – two V6s and two V8s – and can have a unique four-wheel drive system that engages automatically in low-traction situations, yet doesn’t subtract from fuel efficiency.
The 300 is available in five models: Touring, Touring Signature, Limited, 300C and 300C SRT8, and its price starts around $28,000 (2010 MSRP estimate). It carries over from 2009 to 2010 with some value-added changes: Side-curtain airbags are now standard on all of the models, and the lowest-priced 300 Touring model gets chrome door handles and exterior mirrors.
The Chrysler 300 is a long car at around 200 inches, yet it drives and handles like a performance sedan, much of that due to the engineering Chrysler incorporated. This rear-drive car handles the worst roads, as well as high speeds, with grace. Long-travel independent suspension, front and rear, contributes to the 300’s good road manners.
On top of this structure is a stately square body as proportional and upright as a Rolls Royce. Inside, the promise of luxury follows with comfortable seating for five adults. The purposely small windows add character.
The base 300 Touring model doesn’t feel anything like a low priced model. The steering wheel is thickly padded, and the instrument panel is arranged with no clutter and finished with finely textured upholstery. All five seats are plush and supportive, making the 300 a good choice for a long highway drive. While the Touring model comes with a 2.7-liter high-revving twin-cam V6 and a four-speed automatic transmission, the Touring Signature comes standard with a 3.5-liter overhead cam V6 and an optional five-speed automatic, which is available with all-wheel drive. The 300C gets a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that produces 360 hp and is equipped with a cylinder shutoff system that saves fuel when the car is cruising at a steady speed. A roaring 425-hp 6.1-liter HEMI V8 powers the 300C SRT8.
Luxurious and innovative features are added to each model as well. The best-equipped Heritage Series 300C comes with leather seats that have suede leather inserts. Poplar trim inside is finished to a high gloss, but don’t let this sumptuous touch bother your environmental side: It only takes a single tree to make the trim for thousands of 300s. Keyless starting and a spectacular Boston Acoustics sound system are standard with this high-end model. Other available technology is an onboard 30GB hard drive that can store thousands of songs, photos and movies. The movies play on the front LCD screen only when the car is parked. Naturally, Bluetooth and navigation systems are available. Convenience features include puddle lamps that illuminate the ground when the doors are open in addition to illuminated cupholders and map pockets.
Other technologies meant for the comfort of confident driving include stability control, braking assist and full-speed traction control, which permit the rear-drive versions of the 300 to drive in all kinds of dicey weather—add all-wheel drive and the 2010 Chrysler 300 series is practically unstoppable.
Test drive the Chrysler 300 at your earliest convenience. Give us a call and we’ll arrange it.
