Home Columns Car Reviews 2014 Chrysler 300: An impressive, performance laden sedan

2014 Chrysler 300: An impressive, performance laden sedan

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December 22, 2013

Driving the 2014 Chrysler one realizes this is another example of the rebound that has taken place with American manufacturers. The bottom line: You can trust them again to produce a good product.

If you’re the type of car shopper who loves driving a big, powerful sedan and wants to buy American, give the stylish Chrysler 300 a good look. The prediction here is you will come away impressed.

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A flagship car in the Chrysler lineup, the 300 is a full-size sedan that’s available in six trim models, ranging from the base model V6 that costs $30,765 to the performance-heavy SRT8, which has a price tag that rises to around $50,000. The variety allows for some major decisions when it comes to picking that “just right” model.

With gas prices dipping this year and the economy on the rise, buying a large sedan is becoming more popular, and there’s plenty to choose from.

The Chrysler 300 has some serious competition in the Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Impala, Hyundai Azera, Buick LaCrosse, Toyota Avalon and the new Kia Cadenza.

Chrysler came out with a major redesign in 2012 that resulted in a little larger (2 inches longer and wider) vehicle than its predecessor. It also added comfort improvements, a sleeker exterior, and some additions to the standard equipment.

The 2014 Chrysler 300 comes standard with rear-wheel drive and features a performance-laden engine – no matter what model is selected. Known for its V8 power, going for the base model (3.6 liter, V6, 292 horsepower, 260 pound-feet of torque) will keep most drivers happy because it goes 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds.

However, an upgrade to other 300 models brings superior acceleration, thanks to the 5.7-liter, V8 that produces 363 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. The V8 gas mileage (16-25 mpg) isn’t nearly as good as the V6 selections (19-31 mpg), but that thrill of driving a high-performance muscle car – 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds – is definitely what some car-buyers want when purchasing the 300.

The 300 models are heavy vehicles and typically that means the handling can be problematic. While there are some handling issues with the Chrysler 300, overall it offers a very smooth, quiet and secure ride that won’t leave the driver feeling vulnerable. Note, that the one common complaint with the 300s is poor rear visibility due to its thick pillars.

Thanks to latest redesign, the 300’s interior is much improved.

Overall, the cabin is quite roomy and the seating comfortable. Up front, driver and passenger possess ample head and leg room, while even three backseat occupants won’t feel squeezed. The trunk is sizable, measuring 16.3 cubic feet.

The interior makeup, featuring a two-tone color schemes, is classy but short of luxury. There’s practically no hard plastic and the new 8.4-inch touchscreen is much larger than in the past. The screen is logical in nature and features large buttons.

There are many other vehicles to consider in the large sedan class, but the refined Chrysler 300 is certainly a good choice, especially if you want to buy American.