Chrysler 300C Saloon 2005 - Present

The Chrysler 300C is an American alternative to the European dominated Executive car market.  It looks big and brash and offers great levels of comfort.  Made in collaboration with Mercedes the big American comes with a range of engines to thrill, although the petrol units are expensive to run.  The showroom costs are very keen and the diesel engine, a Mercedes unit, is superb.

The styling will not suit an Anglophobe, it’s obviously American.  But where imported US cars have suffered in the past, as their set up doesn’t suit our roads, the 300C has been designed to run on UK roads and it performs extremely well.  Inside the car is a comfortable place to be, the levels of head and leg room are excellent throughout the cabin, with the exception of the middle seat in the rear.   The seats are all big and sumptuous heated leather numbers.  The list of extras offered as standard is eye-catching with; cruise control, leather steering wheel, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, trip computer, seat and mirror memory, six-speaker sound system, 18-inch alloy wheels, body coloured bumpers, chrome wing mirrors, parking sensors, metallic paint, ABS, traction control, electronic stability programme and central locking.

Driving down the road you have a sense of reverence from other drivers, it’s hard to place where it originates – from the size or the majesty of the 300, but I’m sure it’s there.  All of the engine options available are easy and effortless to drive.  The oil burner makes the most sense as it balances good, usable power with decent economy.   The 5.7 monster is the top performer, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds and limited to 155 mph, but it does so at a punishing 23 mpg fuel economy (if you can call 23 mpg economy).  The diesel unit will get to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and tops out at 143 mph, all this with fuel figures of 34 mph which is better but still not worth shouting about, the 5-Series estate 520d offers similar performance and 53 mpg.  The smaller petrol engine, the 3.5 V6 only returns 25 mpg, so the bigger engine may be worth considering as they’re both thirsty.

The 300C offers a great deal of car for the money but the savings made are likely to be put back in via the fuel tank. Both the road and company car tax are also high so while saving on the list price the costs will soon mount.

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