2018 Chrysler 300 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　

What's new

Slightly altered features and trim level namesV8 engine is available only on the 300S and 300C trim levelsPart of the second 300 generation introduced for 2011

　　Bold American style in a big, quiet sedan sounds like a tall order, but it's all there in the 2018 Chrysler 300. The 300 shuts out the noise and bumpy roads along the daily commute, but it announces itself loudly, both through sharp exterior lines and the rumble of an available V8 engine. The 300's appeal continues with modern tech features, including an infotainment system that ranks as one of our favorites with its large touchscreen interface, wide range of features, and quick responses. Two premium sound systems are available as well as a full set of driver assistance features such as forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Chrysler 300 Touring 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$159/mo  for 300 Touring

　　300 Touring

　　Touring 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $28,995 MSRPTouring 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $31,495 MSRPTouring L 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $32,640 MSRPTouring L 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $35,140 MSRPS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $36,295 MSRPS 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $38,795 MSRPLimited 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $37,545 MSRPLimited 4dr Sedan AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $40,045 MSRPC 4dr Sedan (5.7L 8cyl 8A) - $40,995 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　There was a time when Detroit routinely stamped out big rear-wheel-drive sedans like the Chrysler 300. Today, it's hard to find a car that truly competes with it. A domestic counterpart such as the Buick LaCrosse is similarly big, stately and dripping with class. But as a front-wheel-drive car that doesn't offer a V8, it lacks the 300's lean muscle. The Genesis G80 might be the 300's closest analog since it offers the same kind of blissful isolation in a rear-wheel-drive package and an optional V8. Ultimately, the 300's core appeal is that there's nothing else quite like it on the road today.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.6 / 10

　　Getting bold American style in a big, quiet sedan sounds like a tall order, but it's all there in the 2018 Chrysler 300. It combines muscular elegance with strong V6 and V8 engine choices and the latest safety and entertainment technology.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.6 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	7.5
Interior	8.0
Utility	7.5
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

7.5

　　The Chrysler 300C is a big American sedan with a floaty ride, but the V6 is more than adequate and there's space aplenty. Cars such as the 300 are becoming rare these days, and though there are flaws, the car's size, quietness and price make a compelling case.

　　

Acceleration

8.0

　　The 292-horsepower V6 does an admirable job moving more than 4,000 pounds of Chrysler. Zero to 60 mph takes 6.8 seconds. Upshifts are supple, and the 3.6-liter's power delivery is smooth. For a bit more oomph, we recommend the V8. It sounds better, too.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　During heavy braking, the 300 has significant nosedive and some rear tire lockup. When we tested it at the zzdcar track, stopping distance from 60 mph was 122 feet, which is typical for a large sedan. But we experienced serious brake fade at our test track.

　　

Steering

7.0

　　The steering is fairly quick, but the effort is too light and offers no feedback. Due to the soft suspension and lazy body motions, even minor steering wheel changes make this boat rock. At highway speeds, you end up constantly correcting. The 300S may be better for those who enjoy a sporty feel.

　　

Handling

7.0

　　Even for a big sedan, the 300C doesn't handle well. There is a lot of body roll in reaction to both steering inputs and road imperfections. Its rear-wheel drive makes it fun to drive at times, but overall handling isn't well controlled. Again, the 300S should be better in this regard.

　　

Drivability

8.0

　　The V6 is exceptionally smooth, and the gas pedal is responsive to your inputs. The eight-speed automatic is rarely confused, even handling hills with smart downshifts, but it offers no manual-shifting ability.

　　

Comfort

7.5

　　The 300 is a big car, and it shows pretty much everywhere. On the highway it's mostly smooth, but after small bumps it tends to have a wallowy, floaty ride. This is at odds with the impact harshness from big bumps, which make the seats feel more like a couch than a captain's chair.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　Wide, flat and featureless, the 300's front seats feel as if they were designed for wider drivers, leaving everyone else to slide around. There isn't much adjustability either. In back, the 300 is spacious, but middle seat comfort is hampered by the 300's transmission tunnel hump.

　　

Ride comfort

6.5

　　Because of how quiet the 300 is, it is possible to confuse that with a good ride. Yes, it's soft and floaty, but the 300C's body motions are largely uncontrolled, so big steering inputs make it rock perpetually. Pothole impacts are harsh.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.5

　　This big sedan is as quiet as a tomb. Virtually no road noise makes it into the cabin. It's the type of quiet that causes you to drive faster than you think you're going.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　The reason the 300 is so big on the outside is because it's so spacious on the inside. It gets high scores for ease of entry/exit and overall passenger volume, plus it has a big trunk. Rearward visibility, however, is a problem.

　　

Ease of use

8.0

　　Uconnect has some features that take familiarity (seat heaters buried in the touchscreen, for example), but the buttons are large and the menus are clear. Climate controls are simple, and there's even a real volume knob.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.5

　　The doors on the 300 are huge and open wide. The driver's seat height is at that perfect "don't have to step up, don't have to squat down" level. The rear seats, too, are easy to get in and out of.

　　

Roominess

8.5

　　One of the 300's most appealing features is its massive cabin, especially as it pertains to the front seat. Shoulder room, headroom, legroom, hiproom — you name it, the 300's got it. Some large sedan competitors have more rear seat space, but not much more.

　　

Visibility

7.0

　　The rearward view out the tiny side mirrors is laughable. Also, the 300's thick rear roof pillars impede your views over the shoulder.

　　

Quality

8.0

　　Inside and out, the 300 feels as if it's made with high-quality materials that are all assembled well. Our test car had no obvious defects and had tight seals, which contributed to the massively quiet cabin. Even at the top trim levels with a heftier price tag, the 300 feels worth the money.

　　

Utility

7.5

　　Given its generous trunk space (16.5 cubic feet), and rear seats that fold down in a 60/40 split, the 2018 Chrysler 300 provides ample utility and flexibility for daily tasks. The cupholders work well. The 300's front-most storage bin has a security lid, but its operation feels cheap.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　We've had lots of experience with older versions of Chrysler's infotainment system, Uconnect, and we've even tested the newest Uconnect 8.4 system in other cars, but we haven't tested it in the 300 yet. In those other cars, though, it's lightning fast with crisp graphics and simple, logical menus.

　　

Which 300 does zzdcar recommend?

　　One reason the 2018 Chrysler 300 appeals to so many is its varied configurations. Aim sensibly for the Touring L and you get a nice mix of 18-inch wheels, leather and heated front seats. But if you can stretch it, the 300S delivers an exquisite blend of luxury and sport, especially when equipped with the V8 engine.

　　

2018 Chrysler 300 models

　　The 2018 Chrysler 300 is a full-size sedan available in five trim levels: 300 Touring, 300 Touring L, 300S, 300 Limited and 300C. The standard engine in Touring, S, and Limited trims is a 3.6-liter V6 (292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft). The same engine makes a bit more power in the 300S (300 hp and 264 lb-ft). An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional. The 300C models come with a 5.7 V8 (363 hp and 394 lb-ft) with the eight-speed automatic and rear-drive only. 

　　The 300 Touring base trim comes nicely equipped with features that include 17-inch wheels (19-inch wheels for all-wheel-drive models), heated mirrors, a rearview camera, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat. Tech features include an 8.4-inch touchscreen interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a six-speaker sound system with two USB ports and HD and satellite radio.

　　A handful of option packages are offered for Touring models. The Sport Appearance package adds 20-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim details, while the Chrome Appearance package offers the same, but with chrome trim elements instead. The Driver Convenience Group package includes 18-inch wheels, a comfort-tuned suspension, LED foglights and remote start.

　　The 300 Touring L adds some premium touches with 18-inch wheels (20-inch wheels are optional), heated front seats, leather upholstery and a power-adjustable passenger seat.

　　An optional Value Package bundles LED foglights, remote start, navigation, real-time SiriusXM traffic information, and a panoramic sunroof. You can also opt for the 300 Premium package, which bundles many of the options already mentioned with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a 10-speaker Beats audio system.

　　The sport-oriented 300S comes with 20-inch wheels with performance tires (19s with AWD), a sport-tuned suspension (RWD only), heated and power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, LED foglights, remote start and transmission paddle shifters. On the rear-wheel-drive 300S, you can opt for the 5.7-liter V8 engine.

　　Moving up to the 300 Limited brings heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, and an auto-dimming driver side mirror.

　　Finally, the 300C comes standard with 20-inch wheels, a touring-tuned suspension (the softest, smoothest ride of the lot), adaptive xenon headlights, heated and cooled front cupholders, upgraded leather upholstery and an upgraded steering wheel. Options include a power rear window sunshade and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. A panoramic sunroof is optional across the range of trim levels, and many of the upper trim features are available on the lower trims as stand-alone options or via various packages.

　　Available on all but the Touring trim is the SafetyTec Plus package, which includes front and rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, lane departure warning and prevention, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a forward collision mitigation system with automatic emergency braking.

　　

2018 300 Highlights

Trim: TouringTouring LSLimitedCTouring

　　

Base MSRP	$28,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$159/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles