Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Chrysler 300C (2012-2015) review

The Chrysler 300C offers huge space, imposing style and vastly improved cabin quality for far less money than its German rivals

Overall Auto Express Rating

2.0 out of 5

  • Well equipped, good legroom, clever safety kit
  • One engine is inefficient, small boot, poor rear headroom
Find your Chrysler 300C
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Hassle-free way to a brand new car
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Customers got an average £1000 more vs part exchange quotes
Advertisement

The previous-generation Chrylser 300C disappeared from the UK when the new emissions regulations came into force, but the all-new version gets improved styling and a luxurious new cabin. Technical improvements include a new suspension set-up, which has been tuned specifically for Europe and a cleaner V6 diesel engine from the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Unlike the previous model, no estate version will be offered, but the company is promising that prices will significantly undercut its premium rivals.

Engines, performance and drive

The UK will get just one engine option to start, a 3.0-litre V6 diesel which will be offered with 236bhp and 550Nm. That’s good for a top speed of 144mph and a 0-62mph sprint time of just 7.4 seconds – impressive stats for a car of its size, and consequently the 300C is an accomplished motorway cruiser. Road and engine noise are minimal and the steering is well weighted, if a little numb. The ride can become very jittery over more broken surfaces too.

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

Unfortunately, the big Chrysler 300C can’t match its European rivals when it comes to efficiency. The V6 diesel doesn’t come equipped with any modern fuel-saving technology like stop-start or energy recuperation, and although it returns a reasonable 39.8mpg and 185g/km of CO2 – that's pretty poor for company car or fleet customers, while opting for the bigger 20-inch wheels pushes the carbon emissions to 191g/km. Other running costs should be more manageable, including insurance and servicing, and the 300C comes with much more standard kit than any of its premium rivals.

Interior, design and technology

The brash styling of the last Chrysler 300C has been toned down for this new version, but it will still make an impact on arrival. With high shoulder lines, short overhangs and the option of imposing 20-inch alloys, it has strong road presence. It now features C-shaped LED running lights at the front, and a single piece of chrome runs along the rear bumper, joining the rear light clusters together. Inside, cabin quality has vastly improved. Most of the major controls have been replaced by an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, which controls everything from the heated seats to the electric sunblinds, while soft leather and high-quality materials replace the cheap plastics of the outgoing version.

Practicality, comfort and boot space

The Chrysler 300C is a seriously big car - in the same league as the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class - but it's not as practical as you might expect. There's a huge amount of space inside for passengers, with lots of legroom, but headroom will be a little tight for anyone over six feet tall. There are lots of storage cubbies, and the cup-holders in the centre console can be heated or chilled to your liking. Despite clever touches like this, the boot is disappointingly small. At just 481 litres, it's smaller than both the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, and the odd shape of the boot and lack of a flat floor makes fitting bigger items a tricky affair. Unlike the previous model, there are no plans for an estate version.

Reliability and Safety

The Chrysler 300C received the full five-star crash test rating when it was tested by Euro NCAP. It's bursting with hi-tech safety kit, and Chrysler boasts that it comes with over 70 active and passive safety systems. Chief among these is a new Rain Brake Support feature that removes water from the discs in wet weather for more effective stopping power. There's also adaptive cruise control, and a blind-spot indicator, which flashes and beeps to alert you to the presence of other cars. The bonnet is fitted with a pop-up device to protect pedestrians in the event of a crash. Build quality is good, and the 300C feels better put together than before. All the mechanical systems have a proven track record – but be aware that the parts are quite expensive to fix.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on 300C

Chrysler 300C vs Jaguar XF
Chrysler 300C vs Jaguar XF
Car group tests
16 Jul 2012

Chrysler 300C vs Jaguar XF

Chrysler is targeting company buyers with its reborn 300C executive saloon. Is it a better choice than the Jaguar XF?
Chrysler 300C
Chrysler 300C front tracking
Road tests
31 May 2012

Chrysler 300C

We drive the new Chrysler 300C on British roads. So should the 5 Series be worried?
Chrysler 300C prices confirmed
2012 Chrysler 300C rear
News
2 May 2012

Chrysler 300C prices confirmed

Prices for the new Chrysler 300C have been announced, and there will be two models available at launch
Skip advert
Advertisement
Chrysler 300C SRT8
Chrysler 300C SRT8 front cornering
Road tests
9 Jan 2012

Chrysler 300C SRT8

American exec gets the muscle car treatment to take on BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG
New Chrysler 300C
Chrysler 300C 2012 front tracking
Road tests
20 Oct 2011

New Chrysler 300C

We've driven the all-new Chrysler 300C, which promises Audi A8 levels of space and luxury for a fraction of the price
Chrysler 300c: 11,934 miles
Long-term tests
11 Feb 2009

Chrysler 300c: 11,934 miles

FINAL REPORT: It’s a fond farewell to our vast Touring estate after a highly capable nine months of family service...
Chrysler 300C Touring
Chrysler 300C Touring
Long-term tests
7 Oct 2008

Chrysler 300C Touring

We’ve figured out the secret of the huge Chrysler estate’s appeal.
Chrysler 300C Touring
Chrysler 300C
Long-term tests
2 Jun 2008

Chrysler 300C Touring

Our latest arrival is Chrysler’s stunning, all-American 300C Touring.
Chrysler 300C Touring
Road tests
12 Mar 2008

Chrysler 300C Touring

Mid-life revamp brings subtle updates and more safety kit to big American estate
Skip advert
Advertisement
Chrysler 300C (2005-2011) review
Chrysler 300C
In-depth reviews
14 Feb 2008

Chrysler 300C (2005-2011) review

The Chrysler is not perfect, but no other rival has the same visual impact.
Chrysler 300C SRT-8
Chrysler 300C SRT-8
In-depth reviews
23 Jul 2007

Chrysler 300C SRT-8

Brash and crude, the SRT-8 is good on straights, but less so in corners.
Skip advert
Advertisement
Chrysler 300C CRD Touring
Road tests
14 Jun 2006

Chrysler 300C CRD Touring

If you value style over out-and-out practicality, the Chrysler certainly won't disappoint
Chrysler 300C CRD
Road tests
25 Jan 2006

Chrysler 300C CRD

When Chrysler pulled the covers off its 300C more than two years ago, everyone admired the car's pure American style
Chrysler 300C Touring
Road tests
13 Apr 2005

Chrysler 300C Touring

In a world of traffic congestion and urban gridlock, most car manufacturers are trying to make their vehicles smaller and more space efficient. Howeve…
Chrysler 300C HEMI
Road tests
11 Aug 2004

Chrysler 300C HEMI

If you have ever been to the USA, you are bound to have discovered something that seemed so sensational, you were convinced you had stumbled across th…
Skip advert
Advertisement
Chrysler 300C
Road tests
3 Mar 2004

Chrysler 300C

Recycling cars is nothing new, but DaimlerChrysler does it in style. Rather than simply rework the raw materials, it uses its designs again.