We review the Chrysler 300C from price to economy and all its features
IT had a grille like an oversized American football helmet, a body built like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bentley-esque space inside — but it was the price of a family saloon.
That made the 300C an unexpectedly huge success in the UK midway through the last decade.
Now it’s back to boost the brand again — but Chrysler may have hindered its hopes before its tyres have even touched a UK road.
The second generation will only be given a 3litre V6 diesel — that means sales will just be hundreds rather than the almost 10,000 the previous model achieved.
The size of the engine and CO2 emissions may scupper Chrysler when compared to cleaner rivals in the executive segment, an area of the market dominated by smaller four-cylinder diesels in the UK — and there are no current plans to introduce any further engine variants or an estate version.
However, if fuel economy and costs are outweighed by looks, the 300C is still the car for you. The new version is a Yank that looks like it has stayed off the cheeseburgers for a while. It’s much sleeker and classier than previously.
Although it’s wider than before, the new LED lights, shallower grille and revised badges make it look much leaner.
The brash styling was a big part of the old car’s appeal, and the 300C still boasts plenty of US-style relish.
The flagship Executive trim that’s set to be the best seller gets huge 20in wheels and chrome mirrors as standard.
If you want to stand out, you’ll certainly do it in this Chrysler. In fact, the top-spec 300C is so well equipped that there are only two options — a premium stereo and metallic paint. That means luxuries such as touchscreen sat-nav, adaptive cruise control and heated leather seats are all included in the £39,995 price.
The previous range-topper was around £35,000, so the new car is much more expensive. In fact, the line-up starts at £35,995.
The upmarket cabin — a real letdown in the previous model — goes some way to justifying the premium price.
Its thick-rimmed steering wheel and rounded dash are trimmed in soft leather and the striking blue dials look great.
It’s still not quite up there with the prestige Germans, but it’s much closer. The only engine on offer, the 3litre V6 diesel, provides great performance.
It’s a great cruiser and very supple on all surfaces, but it lacks the finesse of a BMW 5 Series on a tricky B-road.
This car always feels heavy to control but at the time that gives it a sort of Rolls-Royce stately appeal behind the wheel.
Considering the size of the 300C, the stats stack up quite well. It hits 62mph in 7.4 secs, with a top speed of 144mph, fuel economy of around 39mpg — if you are light right-footed — and CO2 emissions of 185g/km.
The 300C will be even more exclusive than before, which gives it a premium value alongside BMW and Audi, if not quite the same quality all-round.
Like Big Arnie, the 300C is back and with a bang. It might not reach the same levels of success as before — and it’s not cheap — but I don’t care. I love the 300C.