| With four powertrain choices, Chrysler's spacious 300 | | | | option packages. |
| sedan rolls proudest in Hemi-powered form, but it rolls | | | | Particularly easy to drive, the 300 has plenty of |
| the longest in standard Touring form. Whatever your | | | | front-seat space. Rear occupants enjoy fine knee |
| engine of choice, this full-size, rear- or all-wheel-drive | | | | room; good (if somewhat narrow) toe space, and |
| flagship makes a huge style statement, seats five | | | | adequate headroom. Rear side positions are quite |
| adults in comfort, and has proudly made a presence | | | | comfortable, but the center occupant must straddle a |
| on American highways. | | | | floor hump. Long side windows ease visibility, and the |
| Installed in 300C sedans, the Hemi has gained power | | | | driver faces a handsome instrument panel. Enthusiasts |
| for 2009, while improving fuel economy. Generating | | | | who insist on something beyond a 300C again have |
| 360 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque, the | | | | an alternative: the super-performance 300C SRT8, |
| 5.7-liter Hemi works with a five-speed automatic | | | | with a 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 from Street and Racing |
| transmission. Multi-displacement System | | | | Technology that generates 425 horsepower and 420 |
| (MSD) technology turns off fuel consumption | | | | pound-feet of torque. In addition to a five-speed |
| in four cylinders when V-8 power is not needed, | | | | automatic with driver-selectable Auto Stick, this |
| boosting fuel economy up to 20 percent. "Eco" is now | | | | hottest-of-all sedan features SRT-tuned dampers, |
| displayed when in four-cylinder mode. All-wheel-drive | | | | specially tailored spring rates and bushings, and thick |
| models now are equipped with an Active Transfer | | | | anti-sway bars. Chrysler claims 0-60 mph acceleration |
| Case and Front-axle Disconnect. AWD engages | | | | in the low 5-second range, but gas mileage sinks to a |
| automatically, or can be manually selected. Activating | | | | dismal 13/19 mpg (city/highway). For 2009, the SRT8 |
| windshield wipers for an extended period also makes it | | | | gained a standard sunroof. Improved fuel economy |
| happen. | | | | reduces its "gas guzzler" tax. |
| Offered only with rear-drive, the 2.7-liter Touring model | | | | Acceleration potential is the biggest bonus for owning |
| gets an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | | | | a Hemi-powered 300C, with or without all-wheel drive. |
| fuel-economy estimate of 18 mpg in city driving and 26 | | | | Hemi acceleration is without a doubt muscular, but in a |
| mpg on the highway. The 3.5-liter V-6 is rated 17/25 | | | | somewhat old-fashioned manner. |
| mpg with rear-drive, or 17/23 mpg with all-wheel drive. | | | | Automatic-transmission shifts are rather curt and |
| Estimates dip slightly to 16/25 mpg for the Hemi V-8 | | | | lumpy, accompanied by considerable sound. That |
| (16/23 with all-wheel drive). Limited and 300C models | | | | engine delivers a long whir when pushed hard. Though |
| now have a comfort-tuned suspension, with 18-inch | | | | not troubling, it isn't quite the sound of strength. Many |
| wheels. This year's Heritage edition gets a sport-tuned | | | | shoppers will be satisfied with a V-6 engine. |
| suspension, with the same performance steering, | | | | With its sport-tuned suspension, the Heritage edition |
| suspension and shocks as a Dodge Charger Daytona | | | | yields markedly better road feel than its softer-sprung |
| R/T. | | | | mates. Lack of refinement is still evident on bumps, |
| Inside, "classic" styling cues from the Hemi 300C now | | | | because the suspension doesn't recover quite as |
| cover the entire lineup. Cargo nets and grocery bag | | | | smartly as it should. Steering is light, but there's no |
| hooks are standard on 2009 models. A new reversible | | | | disconnected feel. On smooth roads, at least, the |
| trunk mat goes into Limited and 300C models, which | | | | Heritage delivers an enticing ride. Now the entry-level |
| gain standard "uconnect tunes" with a 6-CD/DVD/MP3 | | | | model, the 300 Touring sedan starts at $27,665 |
| radio. Antennas have moved into rear windows. A | | | | (including destination charge) with the 2.7-liter engine. |
| new grille and 20-inch chromed aluminum wheels go on | | | | Picking the 3.5-liter V-6 raises the ante to $32,075. |
| the 300C Heritage. Available rear-seat DVD video | | | | Stepping up to a Limited, which now looks similar to the |
| entertainment features a 7-inch screen, and Sirius | | | | 300C, increases the outlay to at least $36,285. A |
| Backseat TV is optional. Safety features include | | | | Hemi-powered 300C stickers for $37,885 ($39,925 |
| Electronic Stability Program with Brake Assist, traction | | | | with AWD). Extended-length Walter P. Chrysler |
| control, and antilock braking. Amazingly in this league, | | | | Signature editions add six inches to the standard |
| side-impact and curtain airbags are available only in | | | | wheelbase. |