2012 Chrysler 300
The 2012 Chrysler 300’s roots come from the days when Daimler had stake in Chrysler. Today? It’s still among the best in its class.
Yes, the 300 remains as alluring, striking, impressive, and value-rich as it was six years ago. Only now its V-6 model boasts an efficient and smart-shifting eight-speed automatic, and the SRT8 model corners as well as its 470 horsepower urges it forward. The lineup maintains the 300’s iconic styling, but evolves it masterfully.
On the engineering excellence front, the Chrysler 300’s new eight-speed automatic, paired with the V-6, performs exceptionally. It is the best powertrain Chrysler has to offer, returning near imperceptible shifts at cruising speeds and 31 highway mpg. Our disappointment is the wait required for the transmission to come to C and SRT8 models (although the old five-speed those two rely on works acceptably). If the V-6 application provides any sign, it’s that large American cars can exist in the future and driving them won’t be a letdown.
Disappointments are minor but exist nonetheless. The eight-speed’s shifter, a beautiful but direct copy of the A8’s, feels a bit clumsy, requiring too much concentration when pushing through the detents to find park. As nice as the optional leather package is, the faux wood transitions from beautiful to cheap under direct sunlight, and the push-activated front storage lid takes excessive effort. In the SRT8, we also noted a tendency to wander at very high speeds.
Do you think the Chrysler 300 is good enough to win the Car of the Year title? Stay tuned as we preview every car that Motor Trend tested for its 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year competition in alphabetical order in advance of the official announcement on Nov. 16.
