Chrysler 300 - Vehicle Overview

Redesigned last year, the full-size Chrysler 300 sedan retains its iconic silhouette and is one of the few remaining American rear-wheel-drive sedans. All-wheel drive is available. With seating for five, the Chrysler 300 offers V-6 or V-8 power, and the high-performance SRT8 version returns for 2012

An eight-speed automatic is newly available for V-6 models, and the transmission helps the 300 get up to 31 mpg on the highway. The 300S includes this transmission along with a quicker-shifting Sport mode and steering-wheel shift paddles. The 2012 model year also sees the addition of the 300S trim, which is offered with V-6 or V-8 power. The cars feature polished 20-inch aluminum wheels with black pockets, quicker steering with a weightier feel, a black chrome grille and darkened headlight bezels. In the cabin, there's power heated cloth sport seats, piano black trim and Beats by Dr. Dre premium audio, which is new for 2012.

There's also a new 300C Luxury Series that features a leather-wrapped interior, heated and ventilated front seats, Berber floormats and real wood trim with a low-gloss finish. A platinum-chrome mesh grille helps distinguish the car from the rest of the 300 lineup.

The Uconnect Touch system has also been upgraded. It now can read aloud incoming text messages and lets the driver choose a response. The available Garmin-based navigation system now recognizes voice commands, and there's satellite radio-based traffic information as well as more ways to control a connected iPod.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Chrysler 300 is a full-size sedan available in six trim levels: base, Limited, 300S V6, 300C, 300S V8 and SRT8.

The base 300 comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlamps, heated mirrors, keyless ignition/entry, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver seat with four-way power lumbar adjustment, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a six-speaker sound system with a compact touchscreen interface, a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack, an iPod/USB audio interface, satellite radio and steering wheel controls. Bluetooth phone connectivity is optional.

The Limited adds 18-inch chrome-clad wheels, an upgraded transmission, remote ignition, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power passenger seat, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and upgraded speakers. The AWD Limited gets 19-inch chrome-clad wheels and upgraded brakes. A Harman Kardon 19-speaker sound system is optional.

The 300S V6 adds unique styling elements, performance tires, steering wheel shift paddles, a larger touchscreen display and a 10-speaker Beats by Dr. Dre sound system. However, leather upholstery and the power passenger seat are options along with a navigation system. The rear-wheel-drive 300S gets 20-inch polished-aluminum wheels, while the AWD version gets 19s. They also differ in suspension tuning.

Optional on the Limited and 300S V6 is the Luxury Group, which adds power-adjustable pedals and steering wheel, driver memory functions, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, heated and cooled front cupholders, a power rear sunshade and an auto-dimming exterior driver mirror. The 300S version gets leather upholstery and the power passenger seat. The Limited version gets upgraded leather upholstery, ventilated front seats and a wood-trim steering wheel.

The 300C adds on top of the Limited's standard equipment a V8 engine, automatic wipers, automatic high beams, a rearview camera, the larger infotainment interface, a navigation system with real-time traffic and the Limited's version of the Luxury Group. The Executive Series version of the 300C adds special "platinum chrome" exterior trim, 20-inch wheels, hand-stitched leather-trimmed interior surfaces, upgraded leather seats and unique wood trim choices.

The 300S V8 is similarly equipped, but it includes the 300S V6's styling elements and sound system. The navigation system is optional.

The SRT8 is a high-performance model that adds to the 300C a high-performance V8, special 20-inch wheels, performance tires, Brembo brakes, a two-mode adjustable sport suspension, sport-tuned steering, front and rear parking sensors, special styling and interior trim, adaptive and auto-leveling bi-xenon headlamps, a rearview camera, leather/faux-suede upholstery and sport seats.

The Limited, 300C and SRT8 can be equipped with the 19-speaker sound system. All but the base model can be equipped with a panoramic sunroof and the SafetyTec package, which includes adaptive and auto-leveling bi-xenon headlamps, adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot and cross-path warning system, a forward collision warning system, a rearview camera (300S), power-folding mirrors and automatic wipers (Limited and 300S V6).

Interior

After last year's overhaul, the Chrysler 300 now has a cabin that might make luxury car shoppers think twice about paying extra for a fancy badge. While the look is hardly what we'd describe as ground-breaking, it's classy even in its most basic form. Materials are top-notch, particularly on the new 300C Executive Series with its upgraded leather trim on the seats and dash. Given the 300's proportions, it shouldn't come as a surprise that there's ample room for occupants big and small. The adjustability of the driver seat and tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel is particularly impressive.

The large 8.4-inch touchscreen control interface is a vast improvement on the substantially smaller screen found in many other Chrysler Group vehicles. In fact, it's one of the better touchscreen systems around, with large buttons and a logical menu structure. Luggage capacity is average for a large sedan, with 16.3 cubic feet of space.

Under the Hood

The Chrysler 300 base, Limited and 300S V6 models come standard with a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The base model comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission, but the same eight-speed automatic found on the other V6 models is optional. Rear-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional on the Limited and 300S.

The 300C and 300S V8 get a 5.7-liter V8 good for 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive are standard, but all-wheel drive is optional. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 16/25/19 with rear-wheel drive and 15/23/18 with AWD.

The SRT8 gets a 6.3-liter V8 good for 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic with paddle shifters are standard. In Edmunds performance testing, the SRT8 went from zero to 60 mph in a very quick 4.7 seconds. Fuel economy for the SRT8 is 14/23/17.

Safety

Every 2012 Chrysler 300 comes with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag and active front head restraints. The SafetyTec package adds a blind-spot warning system, a cross-path warning system (alerts the driver to cross traffic while backing up) and a forward collision warning system. A rearview camera is also available.