2012 Chrysler 300

Chrysler 300

            The Chrysler 300 first model year was 2005, and believe it or not it’s in 2012 it is only in its second generation. So let’s see how Chrysler planned to improve their only mid-size sedan.

Styling

            The 300 looks a lot different from its second generation but still holds the 300 family appearances. The front end of this car looks wonderful. In my opinion the 300 has the second most beautiful head lights, right behind Audi.  The hood of the 300 is wonderfully sculpted and lines seemed to be perfectly placed. It is a good thing that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder because I think the back of the 300 looks awful and it’s enough to make me not want it in my driveway. I do not like the slim fake Cadillac tail lights, and it’s even worse with that ugly silver white stuff around the tail light. I liked the first generations tail lights a lot better. I also do not like the overly sculpted trunk lid. To me it looks like Chrysler just tried too hard. With that out of the way the inside of this car is extraordinary.  It has lots of soft touches and it is one of the few cars that make wood trim looks good. The inside of this car looks so good to me that it almost made up for the ugly tail end. The Oversized head-unit and good quality knobs this car has one of my favorite interiors.

Trims

            The 300 has six trims. The base trim is so basic it’s just called 300. Then there is the Limited, C, C luxury, and S. They also have a super charged version called SRT8. 

Power-Train

            Chrysler has made three available engine choices for the 300. The smallest engine is a 3.6 liter V-6 it will give you 292hp and 260lbs.-ft of torque. The middle engine is a 5.7 liter V-8 which has 363hp and 394lbs.-ft of torque. The top engine which you get in the SRT8 trim is a 6.4 liter V-8 which has an impressive 470hp and 460lbs.-ft of torque.

Technology

            The Technology in the 300 is great. The head unit is a great size and responds quickly. It is a system that gets right to the point and I love a system that means business. The media options are AM/FM and Satellite radio. There is also USB connection which you can plug you music player or flash-drive in. There is also Voice Recognition which works pretty well and the steering wheel controls have good quality and quick response. The Navigation is done by Garmin which is one of the top selling navigation in the country but Voice Recognition does not work with it. I also do not really like the childish look of the Garmin navigation. It is a little too colorful and could have a better graphics and I hope that the 300 will divorce Garmin in the next generation.

Driving Aspects

            Driving the 300 was not as good as I thought it was going to be, but I may have had unobtainable expectations. I was wowed by the great inside quality and technology that it built high anticipation on how I thought the car was going to drive. Finding the right position was easy and the automatic tilt and telescope wheel is a big plus. When you begin to move the wheel it feels great. It has a wonderful one touch feel and an easy car to drive. The 300 doesn’t have much low end torque but when you get to about 30mph it kicks in and it kicks in great. My test at highway speeds did not disappoint and on the streets it drove decently. Both the brake and gas I had to push harder than I am use to but it took about 5 minutes to know where the pedals sweet spot was and when I hit that spot the car drove wonderfully.

Purchasing

            Buying the 300 I would skip over the base trim and go right to the C or C luxury. That will give you the nice interior and big screen Bluetooth and the bigger engine choice. I would also add the Safety Tec package for 2,420. I know that sounds like a lot but you get Adaptive bi-Xenon HID headlamps Adaptive cruise control, Headlamp leveling system, Blind spot and Cross Path detection, Mirror signals and courtesy lamps, Forward Collision warning, and ParkSense Parking Assistance. If you like to listen to your music you should treat yourself the Beats Audio package for about $995.

To all my readers I would definitely like to suggest that if you like this car or any other Jeep Chrysler or Dodge you should make your way to Walnut Creek, CA to Walnut Creek Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram, in my opinion the best Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram dealer in the Bay Area, and talk to Jim Cord or Jon Jones.  http://www.walnutcreekcjdr.com/index.htm