Her + His Car Reviews
2018 Chrysler 300S AWD 4-Door Sedan
Our car reviews are innovative and interesting as we provide insightful and expert reviews from both Her + His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate, women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| $49,360 | $49,360 |
| Performance | |
| Brilliant. We love the performance and handling of the new 2018 Chrysler 300 AWD - it's bold, powerful, enhanced and confident. With a commanding 3.6 liter V6 engine emitting 300 horsepower, this is one of the best big sedans in its class. | Pretty sparkling all around. Strong acceleration from the 3.6-liter V-6, and cornering, steering and braking are never an issue with the 300. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 18 city miles/ 27 highway miles/21 overall | Fuel economy ratings are 18 city, 27 highway, and 21 overall. Annual fuel costs are $1,700 based on driving 15,000 miles a year for five years on gasoline costing $2.40 a gallon. You will spend about $1,750 more in fuel costs over five years than you would fore the average vehicle. It takes 4.8 gallons to drive 100 miles in the 300S. |
| The Car | |
| Here is the most impressive aspect of this model. Whilst always an imposing and design-centric vehicle, the performance and power is now as accomplished as the former. It's a geniused balancing act Chrysler has undergone, as the reliability has been bolstered. A quite affordable vehicle for so many buyers, in the high 30's and while the technology and safety add-ons quickly add up, its still an affordable best buy. The AWD adds preferred functionality in so many cold weather regions. And the 8-speed automatic make it sing and soar. The car is spacious and uses upscale materials, however the trunk is not as cavernous in size as it appears - it's really just average. The seats and comfortable. We really like using U-Connect infotainment system with all the perks. |
You can consider the 300, with its imposing profile, the last stand for the traditional large American luxury sedan--taking into account the majestic, styling, road feel, and everything else. It's comfortable, is just about the right size for roomy, quiet motoring, and yes, it can perform like crazy on the road, not unlike the 300s we all drove back in the day. Once it's gone...well.... you know. There's always the Dodge Charger, but even though it has the same platform, its barnstorming performance, racy image and huge racing following don't suggest a luxury car to me. The 300 drips luxury from stem to stern. The Chevy Impala and Buick LaCrosse are also large, well-built sedans, but they are front wheel drive and the styling is for both, though nicely done, doesn't look all American exactly to me. And they don't have the same kind of ambiance that you get in the square-shouldered, classically designed 300. Rumor has it that Chrysler is getting out of the sedan business, which would be a pity. It would not be fun to see distinction leave the showroom floors in this country. |
| Safety | |
| Parkview Back Up Camera, All Speed Traction Control, Keyless GO, Theft Deterrent System, Multiple and Many Airbags, Tire Pressure Monitoring Display, Advanced Brake Assist. 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, Electronic Stability Control, Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors, Child Safety Locks, Daytime Running Lights. |
Standard safety equipment includes electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring display, electronic stability control and all speed traction control. |
| Technology | |
| Google Android Auto Capable and Apple Car Play Capable, Media Hub has 2 USB and Auxiliary outlets. The U Connct with an 8.4" Display screen is lovely to access so many things like Sirius Radio and Travel Link with 5 Year subscription. Beats Autdop Group and 10 premium speakers a kick subwoofer. Universal Car Garage Doors, Acoustic Windshield. Remote Starter System. Sport Mode, Electronic Stability Control. Sport Model Package with Rear Body Color Spoiler, Premier LED Fog Lamps, Body Color Fascia Applique, Body-Color Applique, Bi-Xenon HID Headlights, Power Tilt Steering Wheel/Column, Memory for Radio and Driver's Seat and Mirrors. Park Sense Front, Rear Park Assist System, Blind Spot Detection, Cross path Detection, Power Backlight Sunshade, Heated Steering Wheel and Heated Driver and Passenger and Second Row Seats (not many cars have this feature.) Driver Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors. LED Lamps. Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control with STOP, Lane Departure Warnings, Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers, Automatic High Beam. |
Things have gotten a bit more limited this year with the 300. You can only get a V-8 engine on two models this time around, but to be honest, the V-6 is quite lusty and reasonably economical, so you may not notice the difference. The 2018 Chrysler 300 is available in five trim versions: 300 Touring, 300 Touring L, 300S, 300 Limited and 300 C. The standard engine in Touring, S, and Limited trims is a 3.6-liter V6 (292 horsepower). Want to move a bit faster? Check out the 300S. An optional Value Package bundles LED fog lights, remote start, navigation, real-time Sirius XM traffic information, and a panoramic sunroof. You can also opt for the 300 Premium package, which bundles many of the options already mentioned with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a 10-speaker Beats audio system. The sport-oriented 300 S comes with 20-inch wheels with performance tires (19s with AWD), a sport-tuned suspension (RWD only), heated and power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, LED fog lights, remote start and transmission paddle shifters. On the rear-wheel-drive 300S, you can opt for the 5.7-liter V8 engine. Moving up to the 300 Limited brings heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, and an auto-dimming driver side mirror. The 300C comes standard with a 363 horsepower 5.7 liter V8, 20-inch wheels, a touring-tuned suspension (the softest, smoothest ride of the lot), adaptive xenon headlights, heated and cooled front cup holders, upgraded leather upholstery and an upgraded steering wheel. Options include a power rear window sunshade and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. A panoramic sunroof is optional across the range of trim levels, and many of the upper trim features are available on the lower trims as stand-alone options or via various packages. Available on all but the Touring trim is the SafetyTec Plus package, which includes front and rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, lane departure warning and prevention, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a forward collision mitigation system with automatic emergency braking. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| Chrysler's 300 delivers beauty for this beast of a big car. It has a broad bold front setting and an elongated chariot. Rear spoiler added for effect. Maga-pane moonroof. Nicely appointed stitching on leather sears and steering wheel; seated heats - even in the back - a very unique and comfortable touch. Even though seats are big, they don"t feel so oversized for smaller people. And, paddle shifters give those who prefer the sense of with a manual get-up-and-go. Power rear window sunshade comes in handy; as do the hot/cold cup holders in front. Super sound is performed and made available via a Harman Kardon system. Made in Ontario. | The 300 is in a class by itself on this score. Ignoring the semi-fastback trend that frankly is getting old, the 300 has a square, muscular athletic look and feel to it that is just plain dominating on the streets. Your eyes focus on it when you see it because it stands alone aesthetically among the crowd. Inside, the interior is inviting and elegant without being pretentious. There's plenty of room front and back in terms of setting, though I will say that the smallish back window and the high hipped side window sills can make vision a bit of a challenge in some ways. |
| Warranty | |
| 5 Year/60,000 mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. 3 Year/30,000 Basic Limited Warranty. | 5-year/60,000 mile warranty for the powertrain; 3- year/36,000 miles basic limited warranty for the entire car. |
