- 2010
2009 Chrysler 300
- Used Chrysler 300
Chrysler 300 - What the Auto Press Says
The Chrysler 300 makes a style statement like few other cars on the road -- and with a pair of big V8 engines available, it can back up its commanding looks with tremendous speed. But the market may have left the 2009 300 behind.
The Chrysler 300 can't be confused with anything else. With its huge chrome grille and 20-inch wheels, it resembles something out of Bentley or Rolls Royce more than something meant to compete with Toyotas and Fords. It offers vast interior room, competitive pricing, and a pair of available V8 engines -- one powerful, one absurd.
Automobile Magazine calls the 300 "the classic large-sedan...wrapped in provocative sheetmetal and offered at an attractive price that Americans have always loved."
The 300, however, loses points for a fairly low safety rating compared to its competition, and for Chrysler's mixed reliability reputation.
For 2009, the strongest engine offered is even more powerful than it was last year -- the top-of-the-line 6.1-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT8 model now makes 425 horsepower. All 300s have slightly improved gas mileage thanks to a mild transmission tweak, and many of the chrome accents of the 300C are now offered on lower trim levels as well. Finally, the available all-wheel drive system has been updated for better control and fuel efficiency. Inside, the interior was restyled in 2008. For 2008, a host of interior options are available, including Chrysler's UConnect Bluetooth connectivity, Sirius satellite radio and television, and adaptive cruise control.
If you're interested in the 300 for its bold styling and power, you may want to compare it to the Dodge Charger. It offers similar performance (the mechanical components of the two cars are nearly identical) with styling that evokes classic muscle cars, and still offers cavernous space.
Some, however, look at the 300 as a sort of entry-level luxury car. If you're interested in one of the more well-appointed 300 trims, the Hyundai Genesis may not have crossed your mind -- but it should. It offers a higher level of luxury for a smaller price, and Hyundai doesn't face the same threat of collapse that looms over Chrysler.
The 300 is sold in LX, Touring, Limited, C and SRT8 trims.
- "Acceleration with the 2.7-liter V6 is weak, but the boldly styled 300 is otherwise an intriguing blend of performance, roominess, and value. The startling SRT8 outpowers cars costing twice as much with little compromise of the 300's other virtues." -- Consumer Guide
- "Running the gamut from practical to profound, the 2009 Chrysler 300 is an appealing choice for a full-size sedan, particularly for buyers who appreciate rear-wheel-drive performance or all-wheel-drive assurance." -- Edmunds
- ""Every time I got out of the 300C SRT8, I would say things like, "wow." There's a surge of power that this car provides that feels beautiful. It rewards you every time you push the start button on the dash and it rumbles to life. When you walk up to it in the parking lot, people watch you hop into it." -- Detroit News
- ""If you're searching for a family sedan with attitude but need to keep your spending in check, you'll find the 2009 Chrysler 300 hard to ignore." -- Kelley Blue Book
- "Redefines what the American sedan can and should be." -- Motor Trend
- "All in all, the 300C is an impressive car at an appealing price. ... We're not suggesting it's the equal of a BMW 545i or Mercedes-Benz E500, but it's about a Honda Civic less expensive." -- Road and Track
- "Owners almost unanimously find the car exceeds their expectations in performance, quality and value." -- AutoWeek
300 Performance - 8.4 (Very Good)
The 2009 Chrysler 300 is offered with four different engines, so the car's performance can be radically different from one trim level to the next. Most reviewers say the 300 handles well for such a large sedan and offers a smooth ride. Automobile Magazine summarizes consensus by saying that the base 300 "is a bit underpowered, but the mid-level 300s deliver the right amount of performance for most consumers at an attractive price point." Read More
300 Exterior - 9.0 (Excellent)
The 300 still offers one of the most distinctive looks available anywhere, and its bold appearance is the reason many buy the car. The Detroit News says, "Nearly everything about" 300 "is imposing. But somehow it all works, and works quite well." Read More
300 Interior - 8.3 (Very Good)
The 300 doesn't leave owners wanting more space. Edmunds says, "The Chrysler 300's interior features a simple but elegant layout that benefited from last year's new instrument panel, center console design and upgraded surfaces. It is now a much nicer cabin, but given the 300C's price, some may expect something nicer. " Read More
300 Safety - 7.7 (Good)
The 2009 300's safety ratings are a weak point. The 300 does well in federal government crash tests, but many find visibility limited. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn't tested the 2009, but gives the mechanically-similar 2008 model a top rating of "Good" in frontal offset testing, but only a "Marginal" score for side impact testing, in part because side curtain air bags are a costly option. Read More
300 Reliability - 7.0 (Good)
The 2009 Chrysler 300 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2009 Chrysler 300 comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. Read More
