2019 Chrysler 300

Overview

Chrysler's full-size 300 has attitude to match its outsize exterior, and it continues to stand out in a stale segment that contains few other extroverted sedans. Its conspicuous styling is made even more distinct by available appearance packages and a menacing 300S trim that comes with blacked-out wheels, smoked headlamps, and a performance-tuned suspension. More into the luxe look? The Limited and 300C models sport a statelier presence and a lot of chrome. Despite its multiple personalities, the 300 lineup does not include anything with remarkable driving dynamics. Its interior is aging, too, even though Chrysler has layered on a thick coating of makeup in the form of modern infotainment and driver-assistance features. The 300 is in need of a full-on redo, but for now this is Chrysler's flagship sedan, and it's sticking around for at least another year.

What's New for 2019?

Chrysler's venerable 300 sedan sees just one change for 2019: A new finish for the wheels—called Black Noise—is included if the Sport Appearance package is chosen on the base Touring.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Two gutsy engines offered, rear-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is optional), surprisingly playful chassis.
Dislikes: Thirsty V-8 engine, stiff ride on 300S model, all-wheel drive only available with the V-6.

The Chrysler 300—along with its corporate sibling, the Dodge Charger—is unique in the large-car segment for its rear-wheel-drive layout and its available Hemi V-8 engine. All-wheel drive is optional, but only with the standard 3.6-liter V-6 engine. In our testing, a rear-wheel-drive V-6–powered 300S hustled from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds; that's slow for this class but still reasonably sprightly. Our test of a rear-wheel-drive V-8–powered model back in 2015 netted a snappy 5.3-second result in the same test.

The 300 is not a bad-handling car for its size; the helm isn't the most talkative one in autodom, however. Body roll is well controlled, and the chassis is willing to play—as long as you don't get overly aggressive. The suspension on the 300S model is stiffer than on the rest of the lineup, and the 20-inch wheels that are standard on that trim also contribute to a ride that is overly rough, which seems out of step with the 300's near-luxury mission. If you're in the market for something comfy, avoid the 300S and instead opt for a base Limited or an upscale 300C.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

With the 3.6-liter V-6 under its hood, the 300 almost competes with similarly powered rivals in this segment but falls a bit short. Order up the Hemi 5.7-liter V-8, and this four-door is quite the gas consumer. Other rivals such as the Nissan Maxima are simply more efficient. Thankfully, the V-6 300 cruised through our highway fuel-economy test delivering exactly what the EPA estimated: 30 mpg. The Toyota Avalon fared much better, however, besting the Chrysler by 4 mpg.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Spacious passenger space, upper trim levels are quite luxurious, fantastic infotainment system.
Dislikes: Aging interior design, base model comes with few features, rear seats don't fold flat.

The 300's entry-level offering is the Touring, which comes stripped down with cloth seats and few amenities. The fancier Limited model comes with far more features, including power-adjustable front seats with heat and adjustable lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats, and illuminated front and rear cupholders. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power-adjustable steering wheel are unique to the top-spec 300C. Throughout the lineup, the 300 utilizes soft-touch rubberized plastic with a leather-grain pattern to cover the dashboard and upper door panels. The texture feels nice but looks artificial. The interior design is aging, and not gracefully; rivals such as the Kia Cadenza and the Buick LaCrosse simply outclass the 300 in this area.

We appreciate Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system for its ease of use, intuitive menu layout, and snappy performance. The 300's standard 8.4-inch touchscreen display features this easygoing interface and sweetens the deal with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SiriusXM satellite radio is also standard with a one-year trial period; navigation is optional.

Almost every car in this segment managed six carry-on boxes inside the trunk, but the 300's large interior space allowed us to fit an additional 10 boxes with the rear seats folded. Those seats can be split in a 60/40 arrangement, but they don't fold completely flat.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Spotty performance in its crash testing is cause for concern. Chrysler's driver-assistance gear is available for all but the base Touring model in the SafetyTec Plus package. It's priced from $1695 to $2995 depending on the model—a reasonable price for a fairly comprehensive set of driver-assistance features. Key safety features include:

• Available automated emergency braking
• Available adaptive cruise control
• Available lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Chrysler's warranty coverage for the 300 is nothing special, drawing the line at exactly the industry average. Some rivals offer similar packages, but standout winners here are the LaCrosse and the Cadenza. Both offer extended periods of protection, and the Buick offers two free maintenance visits.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance