The 2011 Chrysler 300 is different in nearly every way than the 300 introduced in 2005. Many aspects of the car were changed thanks to comprehensive owner clinics and competitor benchmarking. The end result is possibly Chrysler’s best sedan to date.
Back in 2005, the 300 presented a successful interpretation of a retro-style sedan. It melded old with new, and placed the body on a relatively current chassis. The interior, though, left much to be desired, and the base-level engine choices were lackluster.
For 2011, Chrysler has addressed those issues and many others, and has made the new 300 into a totally different car while retaining the all-American philosophy of the original. The base engine is a 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 292 bhp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque while our test car, a 300C with all-wheel drive, was equipped with Chrysler’s tried-and-true 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that generates 363 bhp and 394 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to the engine is a 5-speed automatic transmission and, on our tester, an electronic all-wheel-drive system that automatically sends up to 38 percent of available power to the front wheels. When not needed, the transfer case will disengage the front axle, making the 300C AWD essentially a rear-wheel-drive car.
But beyond the powertrain, the all-new interior and exterior take top billing. Gone is the slab-sided, monochromatic interior of old. In its place lies an inviting, well-appointed setup. At the center is a huge 8.4-in. touch screen display. And while the Garmin-sourced navigation system is optional, you’ll get that screen no matter what trim level you spec.
On the outside, the hard-edged masculine exterior is softened up, with hints of the 1955 300 in the fender detail. The slab-sided car of old will not be missed, but the softer front-end treatment will take some getting used to.
Driving the 300C AWD through twisting mountain roads and pothole-strewn city streets revealed the effort the Chrysler engineers put in to the 300 to flat make it better. In sum, the new 300 is quieter, better put together and features a technology package called Uconnect that puts Chrysler in the same ballpark as cars costing much more. Base model 300s will start at just under $28,000, while a 300C rear-wheel-drive model will start at $38,995. Thanks to the new refinements, we eagerly await news of the forthcoming SRT8.