You can’t keep a good car down, and the 2020 Chrysler 300 lives on. If your idea of a large car is a big backseat, V8 power and rear-wheel drive, Chrysler has just the thing. This is the second-generation 300, which landed in showrooms for the 2001 model year. Yes, it’s almost a decade old, but Chrysler has provided a few tweaks here and there as well as keeping the technology fairly up to date. It looked darn good in driveways in 2001, and it looks just as good now. So although the 300 is showing its age a bit around the edges, it is still a viable big-sedan choice.
Autotrader’s Advice:
Really, all the 300 trim levels come very well-equipped for the money, and given their differing driving dynamics and overall characters, we recommend test-driving all the variations within your budget range. You can’t go wrong. It’s really a matter of which grade is right for you.
What We Like:
- User-friendly UConnect infotainment system
- Abundant features for the money
- Bold styling
- Smooth ride
- Available V8 engine
What We Don’t:
- Challenging outward visibility
- Less spacious than some rival big sedans
- All-wheel drive not available with the V8
Original MSRP:
$31,085-$43,490 (when new).
MPG:
The 2020 Chrysler 300 comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6, producing 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque in all trim levels but the 300S, where it produces 300 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard, but AWD is optional on all but the top-of-the-line 300C. Fuel economy is estimated at 19 miles per gallon in the city, 30 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in combined driving with RWD. AWD lowers those estimates to 18 mpg city/27 mpg hwy/21 mpg combined. Optional on the 300S and standard on the 300C, the 5.7-liter V8 produces 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. It also uses the 8-speed automatic to spin the wheels. Fuel-economy estimates stand at 16 mpg city/25 mpg hwy/19 mpg combined.
Standard Features & Options:
The 2020 Chrysler 300 is offered in five trim levels: Touring, Touring L, 300S, Limited and 300C. AWD was available on all but the 300C for an upcharge of $2,750. There are several options packages unique to a specific trim. Some packages have overlapping features. The Limited and 300C can be fitted with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Integrated navigation and a panoramic sunroof can be added to it on the 300C. Those same features are optional on all but the base Touring within different packages. The 300S, Limited and 300C can also be equipped with the SafetyTec Plus package. Besides its added safety equipment (see the Safety section below for details), it also includes adaptive cruise control, automatic wipers, an auto-dimming driver-side mirror, front and rear parking sensors and automatic high beams.
Standard equipment on the
2020 Chrysler 300 Touring ($31,085, when new) includes 17-in wheels, a backup camera, proximity entry and push-button start, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-way power driver seat, cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the 8.4-in UConnect touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, satellite radio and a 6-speaker sound system. Note that the optional AWD system features different suspension tuning. The Sport Appearance package adds blacked-out trim and 20-in wheels.
The
2020 Chrysler 300 Touring L ($34,610, when new) adds 18-in wheels, an 8-way power passenger seat, heated front seats and Nappa leather upholstery. Integrated navigation and a panoramic sunroof can be added as options.
The
2020 Chrysler 300S ($38,190, when new) adds a sport-tuned suspension, black 20-in wheels, a Sport transmission mode, special exterior styling, LED fog lamps, sport seats and upgraded speakers.
The
2020 Chrysler 300 Limited ($40,090, when new) reverts mechanically to the Touring’s specifications and features more luxury-oriented styling flourishes than the 300S. It adds different 20-in wheels, driver-memory settings, a heated power-adjustable steering wheel, ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats. These extras are optional on the 300S.
The
2020 Chrysler 300C ($43,490, when new) comes only with the V8 engine and further includes the 300S Sport transmission mode, its own ritzier styling, adaptive bi-xenon headlights and quilted leather seating. Premium “Poltrona” leather trim wrapping much of the interior is optional.
Safety:
All Chrysler 300 models come standard with a wide range of safety features, including side-curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control and a backup camera. Available on the 300S, Limited and 300C is the SafetyTec Plus package, which includes full-speed forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems and lane-keeping assist. In crash tests carried out by the federal government, the 300 earned four stars overall, a score comprised of four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in the side-impact test. The 300 earned top scores in most crash tests carried out by the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with the exception of its second-worst Marginal score in the IIHS small-overlap front crash test. Its frontal-crash prevention system was rated Superior.
Behind the Wheel:
The 300’s driving experience can vary widely depending on the trim level you choose There are three different suspension tunes available, which noticeably alter ride comfort and handling. There are also two steering setups (300S and everything else). We would note that gaps between all these variations aren’t so large that you’ll find one especially uncomfortable or sloppy to drive, but it’s definitely reason enough to test-drive all versions within your price range. Interestingly, there also isn’t a big gap between the V6 and V8 engines. Yes, there’s clearly a difference, but unless you’re really excited to blast away from every stoplight, we suspect you’ll probably be content with the car’s smooth V6 engine. And really, its 292 or 300 hp is hardly something to snicker at. Now, if you’re a passenger in the 300, you’re in for a treat: This full-size sedan boasts comfortable seats and lots of room in virtually every direction. The 300 also offers Chrysler’s excellent UConnect infotainment system, standard on all models, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s one of the simplest in the business to operate thanks to a huge screen and easy-to-use on-screen instructions.
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