2022 Chrysler 300 Review: A Sentimental Favorite

If you're the type of person who prefers paging through physical books instead of swiping on a Kindle, the Chrysler 300 could be the big sedan that tugs at your nostalgic heartstrings. Old-school sedans like this one simply don't sell in the numbers that they once did, which is why rivals like the Chevrolet Impala have been discontinued entirely. Still, there's something endearing about the 300's effortless swagger and its burly available Hemi V8 engine with 363 horsepower. Chrysler added more safety equipment for the 2021 model year, but this is one area where the 300 shows its age. It also uses lots of gas and its Dodge Charger corporate cousin offers even more power. But in a crowd of crossovers, we're happy that the flawed but characterful Chrysler 300 still exists.

2022 300 Exterior

Dimensions

2022 300 Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

With good noise suppression, hefty proportions, and uncommunicative steering, the 300 is better-suited to high-speed cruising on the open road than carving through a twisty mountain pass. On the highway, the driver and occupants will appreciate the sedan's ability to soak up surface imperfections and keep everyone comfortable. However, the S V6 and S V8 don't ride as serenely as the base trims due to its performance-tuned suspension and, considering that the 300 isn't fundamentally a sporty sedan, these models don't add much more athleticism to the mix. Body roll is well-contained and the light electrically-assisted steering aids maneuverability around town, although, in more acute corners, you can certainly feel the sedan's weight. This doesn't encourage one to really cane it, but that's in keeping with what is expected from cars in this segment. As mentioned, noise suppression is good, but the engines emit a noticeable roar at higher revs. It's a much more pleasing sound than a coarse turbocharged four-pot, though.

2022 300 Interior

2022 300 Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2022 Chrysler 300 A Good Car?

Years later, the Chrysler 300 has managed to just about remain relevant. With its strong V6 and V8 powertrains, bold styling, and comfortable interior, it offers an old-school sedan experience that is refreshing in an SUV-obsessed era. There is a lot of space for all occupants, a well-sized trunk for everyone's stuff, and an infotainment interface that still feels competitive despite the age of this sedan. Once you remove the cool factor from the equation, the 300 starts to fall behind rivals like the Kia Cadenza because it is severely lacking in terms of standard safety features, returns lower-than-expected safety scores, and is far from a fuel-sipper. It's also not the most agile large sedan around. If you can live with these flaws, the Chrysler 300 has loads of character and should prove a satisfying prospect, but you won't be at the helm of a class-leader.

2022 Chrysler 300 Comparisons

2022 Chrysler 300 vs Dodge Charger

These two corporate cousins both represent powerful large sedans at a fairly low starting price. However, both also have some of the same flaws, such as a dearth of standard driver-assist technologies, thirsty engines, and some iffy interior materials. They even share similarly problematic blind spots. The Chrysler is undoubtedly the more luxury-oriented of the two, though, while the Charger is even quicker with an available supercharged V8 engine producing over 700 horsepower. Of course, that particular Charger carries a massive price tag. The two share a user-friendly infotainment system and trunks that are almost identical in size, so neither can outdo the other in terms of practicality. At the end of the day, the biggest difference is in the appearance and spirit of the two; the 300 is grander but more demure, while the Charger will suit the more flamboyant enthusiast.

2022 Chrysler 300 vs Rolls-Royce Phantom

If you squint really hard from a distance, it might be tricky to tell the Chrysler 300 apart from the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The 300 is one of those vehicles that looks more expensive than it actually is, but no matter how many chrome embellishments you throw at it, it's not possible for it to match the grandeur of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Then again, it really shouldn't since the Phantom starts in excess of $450,000, an amount equivalent to more than ten V8-equipped Chrysler 300s. In basically every area that counts, the Phantom goes the extra mile to show you where all that money has been spent, from its serene powertrain to its near-silent ride and the majestic cabin that makes the Chrysler feel as if it was assembled in someone's garage. To call the 300 a poor man's Rolls-Royce would be a generous description of the Chrysler; that's how wide the gap is between these two vehicles.